Alternative Laces Idea/Suggestion For Coyote Boots (Pic)
I have used regular Coyotes in the past in general but have always had a problem with standard laces becoming frayed/torn too quickly.
I also doubt that standard laces are strong enough to provide ample tightening of those rigid hardshell boots, which would contribute to them always
feeling a bit loose.
So, instead I am about to try some 18 gauge steel galvanized wire I got in a little pack at Home Depot.
I was able to hand thread and tighten the wire as I laced up the first boot as it is pretty thin.
I have used regular Coyotes in the past in general but have always had a problem with standard laces becoming frayed/torn too quickly.
I also doubt that standard laces are strong enough to provide ample tightening of those rigid hardshell boots, which would contribute to them always
feeling a bit loose.
So, instead I am about to try some 18 gauge steel galvanized wire I got in a little pack at Home Depot.
I was able to hand thread and tighten the wire as I laced up the first boot as it is pretty thin.
My son likes the boa system on his snowboard boots.
I seem to recall trying them out in a ice skate, but didn't care for the uniform tightness from toe to calf.
I've seen kevlar work boot laces up here in Canada. I have no experience with them as I tend to wear out the boots almost as fast as the laces, but
I'll bet they'd do the trick.
I think I would be a bit leery about the stainless wire cutting into the plastic boot shell at the various crossover points where the wire transitions
between being above/below the shell.
Also if the eyelets are made of aluminum, I would worry about the stainless wire eventually cutting through the softer metal (as the wire moves
through the eyelets when the shell flexes back and forth).
In BOA systems, the wire is generally fed through reinforced channels and surface mounted "eyelets" so that is never an under/over transition that
would create a bight that would cause damage.
Amazon sells kevlar reinforced shoelaces, although they tend to be a bit spendy.
Another alternative might be paracord which you can buy in bulk and has an 8 nylon strand core in addition to the woven shell to slow down fraying.
As far as lace slippage, you could opt for Wheeled Cord Locks.... they are a bit bulky for sneakers, but would find fine for Coyotes. Unlike barrel
cord locks that slip due to a spring providing tension, wheel cord locks depend on a toothed wheel that tightens on the cord that is running through
it and is less prone to slippage.
ATB,
Sam
"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12 - Jesus, does anyone?" - The Body by Stephen King
Waxed hockey skate laces can be had for less than five bucks a pair up here in the Great White North.
I'll bet if you bought the 144" length, you'd have enough lace for 2 sets.
The wax helps them from slipping and they can be had in many exciting colours.
(and yes, there is a U in colour):o
I don't find that tightening my laces does anything that the Velcro strap over top doesn't do? Like most folks I found they just wore off but have not
replaced them. At some point I just quit doing the laces up and left them sitting there. Personally I find it is the buckle and top strap that must be
tight for control.
I had been using the wire up until today when I decided to go another route. The wire was fine on the lower part of the boot, but as I twist tightened
the top part of it, it ended up breaking on more than one occasion due to the repeated stress of the constant tightenings.
As such, I scrapped the wire idea and used instead...plastic ties!
...of which, I already had some of.
As you can see by the attached pic, I first tightened the first two lowest sets of holes with ties as tight as I could possibly get them. It is best
to use pliers or vice grips to pull the free end tight while pushing the clasp down.
You should also squeeze the sides of the boot together where the holes are to help with getting them extra tight.
Then on the 3rd pair of holes from the bottom I tightened them just snug enough but not super tight.
The 4th pair of holes I kept pretty loose where there is no apparent tightening being applied and with plenty of up and down flex on the tie.
After putting them on with some effort due to how snug they now are, I realized that there is no need to add ties or even laces to the upper two pairs
of holes. The powerstrap goes over that area anyway which is sufficient.
These now feel quite snug around the foot. Believe me, it does make quite a difference.