[hikr]

Hello - I was at REI today looking at some replacement laces for my hiking boots. Some shoelaces were advertised as having a round shape and some shoelaces were advertised as having an oval shape. What's your preference in shoelace shape? Do these different shapes have different advantages over each other in some areas?

[moonspots]

[hikr]

Yeah - that's what I seem to be seeing online - the oval ones are supposed to stay tied longer. Also, I'm guessing the oval laces might not bite into your fingers as much as the round ones when you pull the laces tight to tie them. I'm going to try to find a good pair of oval laces for my hiking boots to try them out and I'll post a followup on how they compare to the factory round laces on my asolos....

[Mike Collins]

Using round paracord is an option and in addition it might save your life. http://www.survivalcommonsense.com/survival-footwear-how-to-make-paracord-bootlaces-videofeed/

[Dante]

The Innov8 shoes I wear to the gym have oval laces and they never come untied, I like them a lot. I generally use 550 cord/parachute cord in my boots. I don't have any trouble with it staying tied, but I make sure the knot is tight. That said, it doesn't work as well for my son. I don't think he makes the knot as tight.

[hikr]

[boot up]

The Obenaufs Industrial strength boot laces are doing an awesome job for me, and they don't do funky things from soaking up water.

[hikr]

The obenauf laces are waxed. When I've used waxed laces in the past they've cut into my fingers when I try to pull the laces tight. I'd rather go with a lace that's less abrasive to my fingers....

[hikr]

I'd like to get some paracord boot laces but I need them with aglets (plastic tips) so I can easily thread the laces through the eyelets on my boots and so the ends of the laces don't get frayed. I've seen DIY urls on the web but I'd rather not mess with it. Do you know of any shops in greater Seattle that sell paracord who would willing to bind aglets to the ends of paracord for a fee?

[Brian Curtis]

To prevent your laces from becoming untied it is best to use a secure knot. The standard Bowknot is just a Square (or Granny) Knot without the ends pulled all the way through. But Square Knots have a fundamental flaw. If you flex the secure ends (in this case the lines on the shoe side) the knot loosens. To prevent the knot from coming loose there are better methods for tying your shoe. I use this one, but that site lists many options. It is a bit awkward to tie, at first, but I've started always tying my shoes with that knot and it has become second nature.

[Navy salad]

[tigermn]

I guess I've always just used what came with the shoes/boots without issue. When I did break some, I just went to REI and bought their cheap off the rack laces and they seemed fine...

[hikr]

@tiger - my problem is that my asolos come with 72" laces that REI doesn't seem to carry....

[boot up]

[Schenk]

I have always had the best luck with flat laces. They don't untie on their own if you snug the knot up and seem to spread the pressure out a little. If you have a boot with specialized hardwear you may not have a choice though...most "frictionless" hardwear uses round laces.