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Many shoes now-a-days, even the branded ones have some lace-holes without eyelets. Each time the shoe laces are tied, the lace tears into the shoe.
Eyelets are only available in bunches which are too expensive to buy for a requirement of four eyelets.
Sometimes the eyelet comes off too.
Is there any other way to protect the lace holes from getting torn?
How to lace shoes for proper fit. (a technique to use for the eyelet style)
Proper shoe lacing prevents unnecessary stress on the eyelets (the small holes for the lace) and the counters (backs of the shoes). Here are a number of ways to lace shoes.
https://www.aofas.org/.../Lacing-Techniques-for-Proper-Shoe-Fit.aspx
Dress shoes often have leather to lace unreinforced eyelet treatment. There are a number of ways to make attractive lacing patterns here.
http://www.ties.com/how-to-tie-dress-shoes
You can also buy aftermarket self-backing reinforced eyelets to install yourself. While the link takes you to a source that might be more than you want to order, it is a possibility. A shoe repair station may give or sell you a lesser amount for your pair. Get a few extras for other eyelets, too. This is increasing the cost of the pair you already bought. You can blame the manufacturers for passing the cost on to you after the sale. Avoid one-piece "grommets" which are weak and split easily. Ask for two-piece ones that are made well and don't tear the shoe or the lace.
http://www.shoe-eyelets.com/index.html
First and foremost, avoid round hard laces that don't distribute the stress evenly. Substitute and use a flat soft fabric lace.
The maximum tension is exerted at the eyelets where you pull. If the lace across the toe is too loose, pulling the laces hard at the top exerts minimal force to the lace tension at the toe.
After the laces appear the way you find most attractive, begin to tighten them by taking up the slack length starting with the toe and working your way up from there.
When pulling shoelaces tight, pull outwards rather than upwards, to lessen friction against the holes.
Pull firmly and evenly and don't tug quickly on the lace ends.
Tie the lace with an Ian Knot which uses fewer steps than a regular knot.
Apply a couple coats of clear nail polish (cheaper) or silicone seal to raw edges within holes ... after cleaning them to de-oil/dirt. U will have to redo as it wears off of course.
You could reinforce the rim of the hole, inside and out, with Shoe Goop or even clear nail polish (though not as effective).
BTW, some grommets have sharp edges, which tear laces.
When you pull it the laces tight, pull them straight out from the hole (i.e. outwards from the shoe) as opposed to upwards (or 90 degrees from the hole).
This will help limit the friction applied to the holes from the laces and hence help prevent rippage.
