Sneakers: The Mystery HoleThe function of the offset eyelet on running shoes.

From the show

Why it looks like that

Athletic shoes almost universally feature a final, offset eyelet at the top of the lacing system that most people ignore. This hole is specifically engineered to create a "heel lock" or "runner's loop," a lacing technique that secures the ankle without overtightening the bridge of the foot. It solves the mechanical problem of heel slippage and prevents toes from jamming into the toe box during descent.