My laces are still tied, whoop-dee-fucking-doo.

[Seamus_McShamebag]

Thought I would share a little something that I tried that appears to be working out.  I am sure most people can relate to the pain in the ass of shredding laces all the time.  I have grown accustomed to running laces extra long on new shoes so that I have enough lace for the inevitable repairs and also keep a spare lace with me.  Waxed laces and some of the other quirks fair a little better but not by much.

I was trying to figure out something that I could use that held up better and found nylon paracord which seemed worth a try.  It is supposed to be extremely durable and it's pretty cheap so I figured I would give it a try. 

This is what I used:http://www.gorillaparacord.com/550-Paracord-Mil-Spec-Type-III-7-Strand_p_8.html.  Paracord is easy to find online or at a surplus/camping store. It's cheap at $4 for 25ft of it.  It comes in one long piece so you  pretty much just cut off the length you need and I wrapped a little atheletic tape around the frayed ends of sanity.

It actually works really well.  The shoe below has been through 3 rounds of shoe goo-ing and the laces almost look new.  Usually by now the laces would have been pretty fucked and looked like they were ready to break along most of the eyelets...


I realize this is a little excessive to write up about such a stupid little problem but I was surprised how well it worked so I figured I would share.

[the snake]

i was just thinking few days ago how to make money from a good idea and found that the indestructible lace would be a good one, holy shit...

[CreepySweaty]

I'm sold.

[Joust Ostrich]

Informitave. Link provided. Cheaper than regular laces. A good solution to a longstanding problem. Thread worthy.

[chillout]

this is very interesting to me. i wish somehow they could be flat laces

EDIT: im researching it.

it seems they do make "flat" paracord that just doesnt have the elastic core. should still be very abrasion resistant

http://fishnetco.com/paracord.htm

[Seamus_McShamebag]

this is very interesting to me. i wish somehow they could be flat laces

EDIT: im researching it.

it seems they do make "flat" paracord that just doesnt have the elastic core. should still be very abrasion resistant

http://fishnetco.com/paracord.htm

You could easily pull the "core" out of the stuff that I got and it would probably have the same effect in terms of flattening it out but the core is what made me want to try it in the first place.  If you manage to wear though the outside then you still have 7 individual strands to get through until the bed is officially shat...



I am hoping for no more having to tie my shoe super gentle to avoid accidentally snapping a lace that's hanging by a thread.

[fookya]

I've been thinking about this for a while just never got around to it. Glad someone took the plunge, sign me up.

[UserFame]

thanks man, thats a great idea!

now, somebody just has to start making skate shoes with this material.

[GAY]

Expand Quote

this is very interesting to me. i wish somehow they could be flat laces

EDIT: im researching it.

it seems they do make "flat" paracord that just doesnt have the elastic core. should still be very abrasion resistant

http://fishnetco.com/paracord.htm

[close]

You could easily pull the "core" out of the stuff that I got and it would probably have the same effect in terms of flattening it out but the core is what made me want to try it in the first place.  If you manage to wear though the outside then you still have 7 individual strands to get through until the bed is officially shat...



I am hoping for no more having to tie my shoe super gentle to avoid accidentally snapping a lace that's hanging by a thread.

I guess if I pulled the core out and was unhappy with the result then I could pick up some more at core skate shops everywhere.

[Seamus_McShamebag]

I guess if I pulled the core out and was unhappy with the result then I could pick up some more at core skate shops everywhere.

[Will Easley]

Definitely gonna have to fuck with this

[Dirty Daventry]

When eS were still in business I remember there being a video of some guy getting a tour round the sole tech development factory and seeing how the new fusion shoes where made. They showed the kickflip machine where it repeatedly attacked a shoe with grip tape to simulate kickflips. They said they started experimenting with kevlar laces but they lasted too long and ended up putting grooves into the grip tape.

[StimCoCruzer]

cool tip. and a great item for one's go-bag also.

[j....soy.....]

I always thought like a rubberized wire would be sick....there's been dumber skate related companies....

[Dontfearthereefer]

im an electrician by trade, ive used number 14 AWG wire to lace my shoe worst case in ontario

This thread rules, im going to try this new lace, i massacre show laces

[Cthulhu!]

This is very interesting. I just bought some.

[skate_bored]

its a great idea, now if somebody would just put it to use in a good looking lace that comes with all their shoes. its not like any of these shoe companies sell laces individually for much profit and it would be a great selling point to have laces that dont shred. i rip like 3 lace holes on the shoe every time i skate and it sucks. super glue over the wear area helps a lot but i always forget to buy superglue.

[Iceman]

ATTENTION: Core skate shoe brands

Beat the big corporate brands to providing these laces with all skate shoes to get the advantage again.

Send Seamus McShamebag free shoes for life as gratitude.

[j....soy.....]

Nah.....it'll be a stand alone company.....shoe lace co. Makes more sense than an insole co....

[Rocuronium]

THIS IS WHAT I ALWAYS USE AND THEY NEVER FRAY

[sleepypancakes]

They also don't stay tied very well.

[chillout]

just ordered some paracord. im gonna take the core out and report back with results

[swagdragon123]

Thanks for the link Seamus

just ordered some paracord. im gonna take the core out and report back with results

How did this turn out? I just ordered them, 10ft for $3.17 so sick can't wait.

[chillout]

Thanks for the link Seamus

Expand Quote

just ordered some paracord. im gonna take the core out and report back with results

[close]

How did this turn out? I just ordered them, 10ft for $3.17 so sick can't wait.

i took the core out, and it wasnt the best experience. it was super hard to keep tied and after like a week and a half got all wierd and twisting. id definitly advise trying with the core, which i havent tried yet. on the other hand, the material itself was more abrasion resistent than a normal shoelace and cheap as hell

[Will Easley]

Yesterday I ordered two 10 feet strands of paracord for like $6 with free shipping. Stoked to see how long they last. What's the best way to cover the ends? Athletic tape?

[Spike Hawke]

Expand Quote

Thanks for the link Seamus

Expand Quote

just ordered some paracord. im gonna take the core out and report back with results

[close]

How did this turn out? I just ordered them, 10ft for $3.17 so sick can't wait.

[close]

i took the core out, and it wasnt the best experience. it was super hard to keep tied and after like a week and a half got all wierd and twisting. id definitly advise trying with the core, which i havent tried yet. on the other hand, the material itself was more abrasion resistent than a normal shoelace and cheap as hell

Might help keep 'em tied

[Seamus_McShamebag]

Yesterday I ordered two 10 feet strands of paracord for like $6 with free shipping. Stoked to see how long they last. What's the best way to cover the ends? Athletic tape?

Tape isn't that great because then the laces are a little harder to push through eyelets with some shoes.  The best method I have found is to use some really sharp scissors to get a nice clean cut.  Cut at an angle so you end up with a point that's easier to push through eyelets. Now take a lighter and wave it under the end to melt it together so it doesn't fray and leaves you with a smaller diameter, stiff end that is easy to lace into your shoes. 

[HyperBeam]

so does this actually work? do you do kick flips?

[chillout]

Expand Quote

Yesterday I ordered two 10 feet strands of paracord for like $6 with free shipping. Stoked to see how long they last. What's the best way to cover the ends? Athletic tape?

[close]

Tape isn't that great because then the laces are a little harder to push through eyelets with some shoes.?  The best method I have found is to use some really sharp scissors to get a nice clean cut.?  Cut at an angle so you end up with a point that's easier to push through eyelets. Now take a lighter and wave it under the end to melt it together so it doesn't fray and leaves you with a smaller diameter, stiff end that is easy to lace into your shoes.? 

just burn the ends with a lighter and press together to form whatever shape while their still melted.

so does this actually work? do you do kick flips?

I go through laces like a bitch and it definitely stood up to abrasion better but wasn't really worth how tangly and awkward they got

[swagdragon123]

it worked for me