Boot Laces

[Ford12508]

I see to be going through more laces for my boots than I would like and its getting very repetitive replacing them. Has anyone thought of a better solution? I would like to do steel cabling, but I don't think the radius of steel cabling is anywhere near that of actual laces.

 

[Full Size 66]

Steel cable will not hold a knot. So have you looked close at the eyelets, are there any burs or edges that cut the lace? The other cause for failure I find is sparks from welding. They make leather laces for that. Laces seem to do well for about 2-3 months, then they go out like a rocket.

 

[bibman]

Find some original Paracord at a Army/Navy Store and cut to fit. The stuff lasts longer than any laces I have purchased.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Find some original Paracord at a Army/Navy Store and cut to fit. The stuff lasts longer than any laces I have purchased.

I've used 550 cord (paracord) in my combat boots before, works damn good.


At work, my duty boots have side zippers so they come off relatively fast. I'm not sure of your occupation but it could be an option.

 

[deeds21]

550 cord is the best lace material I have found for my steel toes. The boots are going to wear out before the 550 cord.

 

[trackwelder]

I use leather laces from the welding shop.

 

[fabrk8r]

I use leather laces and I take them out and oil them about 2 times a year using mink oil. By taking them out and putting them back in it shifts them just enough that a new area is against the eyelet, keeping the laces from getting worn through.

Welding is hard on anything other than leather.

 

[brownbagg]

velco

 

[lilredex]

Find some original Paracord at a Army/Navy Store and cut to fit. The stuff lasts longer than any laces I have purchased.

Anyone around here looking for parachute cords look at Steel City Surplus in Hamilton, they have it cheap.

BTW.....never thought of shoe laces for that stuff....thanks.

http://www.kwsurplus.com/links.html

 

[Rogue1987]

I too use 550 cord for my boot laces. I've been using it every day for 2 years in...rather tough treatment of the boots, and the paracord is in much better shape than the boots are at this point!

 

[4wd4ever]

Bailing wire...lol

 

[devilphrog]

550 Cord

 

[darkk]

Para Cord is what I use. Just have to double knot so they don't come undone all the time...

 

[sachapan]

Once you find laces you like, try the best way I have found to tie them:

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/secureknot.htm

Basically, a double knot that comes apart like a single knot. The only way I tie laces for a few years now. Don't know how I managed to tie them 'wrong' for at least 35 years

 

[Aaron8x608]

I use laces for skateboarding that are great. Not sure what the material is designed for originally but for direct surface abrasion they work very well. They are called "snakes" and sold by "Old Kook".
http://www.oldkook.com/website/html/snakes.html

 

[NitroPress]

I went to put on my work boots the other day and had only one lace. I have an artistic 11yo daughter, too.

 

[BigMike782]

I kept breaking laces,a pair would last 2 months if I was lucky.I found and ordered these and have had them in my work boots for about a year......bad azz!
The down side? only available on line and took about 4 weeks to get.
http://www.armorcord.com/index.php?page_id=30

 

[Ford12508]

Thanks for the answers, seems like 550 AKA paracord is what I am going to get since everyone voted for it basically. Thanks for the answers because I have never heard of that.

 

[jabberwoki]

Chain saw pull cord is awesome holds a knot and it tuff as nails i've used this on my work boots for years! you can tow a car with it!! It will be a bit shiny at first but will develop (tooth) quickly.

 

[ddawg16]

Zippers....

They make zippers that you lace in.....best part.....you can adjust the snugness all along the boot....and it only takes a moment to put them on...take them off....

 

[Davo3]

+1 for 550 cord.

 

[Squankum]

I lose right foot bootlaces, wearing out at one eyelet in the same spot. I eventually figured out that that was my gas & brake foot, and was getting many more flexes each day. So I second the commenter who suggested shifting position of the laces a little. If that's your problem.

For those having trouble finding long bootlaces anymore, try Cabela's website.

I do like that 550 cord solution! Is there anything it can't do?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Early this year, I bought some cheap hikers for outside work. At the point where the boot transitions from the top of the foot to the ankle, they used a raised eyelet (not a hook and not an inset). I went through about 5 pair of laces in 2 months because the raised eyelet cut right through them.

As I said they were cheap, but I found some small D-rings and inserted them at that point. Problem solved !

 

[dadsEH]

Blundstones..... dont need no stinkin laces. LOL!!

 

[Dragster Racer]

My Redwings get that way after a while. Eats the laces. Look at the eyelets, and you may find that they are worn thin and have a knife edge to them. Many of the nice ones you can just turn around so that you have a fresh surface. Redwings can have the eyelets replaced also.

 

[oldwino]

My Redwings get that way after a while. Eats the laces. Look at the eyelets, and you may find that they are worn thin and have a knife edge to them. Many of the nice ones you can just turn around so that you have a fresh surface. Redwings can have the eyelets replaced also.

yeah, what he said
Redwing will replace laces for free as needed AND oil boots anytime you come in for service.

My local redwing dealer probably provides the best customer service I have ever experienced.

 

[Will67]

Once you find laces you like, try the best way I have found to tie them:

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/secureknot.htm

Basically, a double knot that comes apart like a single knot. The only way I tie laces for a few years now. Don't know how I managed to tie them 'wrong' for at least 35 years

OMG a website all about shoe laces....now I have seen everything

I too have been tying my laces wrong, wow.

 

[5lima30]

+1 for 550 cord. Be sure to get mil-spec US made it IS different than the import stuff. BTW the US stuff will have 7 innner strands vs. 5 inner on the knock off stuff.

 

[r6_cannibal]

Find some original Paracord at a Army/Navy Store and cut to fit. The stuff lasts longer than any laces I have purchased.

This, i use 550 paracord for laces and they've held up for 2 years. The only material i've used to hold up longer than 6 months. They still look brand new too.

Make sure to burn the ends with a lighter so they don't fray.

 

[Dustin Crawford]

Chain saw pull cord is awesome holds a knot and it tuff as nails i've used this on my work boots for years! you can tow a car with it!! It will be a bit shiny at first but will develop (tooth) quickly.

YES Best Ever! Years and years!

It also helps to grab a flathead screwdriver and spin your eyelets 1/4 turn every so often.

 

[demographic]

I use climbers accessory cord, the last pair of laces I had outlasted five pairs of boots and its an order of magnitude stronger and hardwearing than paracord.

 

[SweetD]

Once you find laces you like, try the best way I have found to tie them:

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/secureknot.htm

Basically, a double knot that comes apart like a single knot. The only way I tie laces for a few years now. Don't know how I managed to tie them 'wrong' for at least 35 years

Thanks for the tip - I can't believe how well this knot works for shoe laces. I showed my 8 year old son yesterday and he loves it too.

Dave