Abstract: A shoe comprising a retractable lace protector for protecting the laces thereon. The lace protector has a deployed and a stowed position. In a deployed position, the lace protector can be disposed in a substantially parallel manner and adjacent to the upper side of the tongue of the shoe and in a substantially overlying manner to the laces thereof. In a stowed position, the lace protector can be disposed in a substantially parallel manner and adjacent to the lower side of the tongue of the shoe. The shoe can further comprise one or more fastening elements to detachably affix the lace protector in one or both of the deployed position and the stowed position. The shoe can further comprise a lace guard pocket for storing the lace protector in the stowed position.