Boot laces

[LosingGrip]

Possibly the most boring thread on Pistonheads ever, but I need some decent (as in wont break within a couple of month) black boot laces.

Only two criteria...completely black and round (I don't like the flat ones!).

I've tried Amazon, Timpson, direct from Altberg and either I'm using them wrong (possibly) or they are just shockingly st and break easily!

[WelshRich]

I had a pair of work boots that ate laces for fun - The metal ferrules (sic) had sharp edges but I managed to smooth/polish them with a Dremel and no problems since

[jimmyjimjim]

https://www.jackson-sports.com/en/Meindl-Laces-Rep...

I prefer the scarpa laces, but don't see then in black.

[Ayahuasca]

LosingGrip said:

Possibly the most boring thread on Pistonheads ever, but I need some decent (as in wont break within a couple of month) black boot laces.

Only two criteria...completely black and round (I don't like the flat ones!).

I've tried Amazon, Timpson, direct from Altberg and either I'm using them wrong (possibly) or they are just shockingly st and break easily!

Altberg? There’s your problem.

[LosingGrip]

Ayahuasca said:

Altberg? There’s your problem.

I can't fault their boots...best pair I've owned over the years. Just their laces that are st!

[Ayahuasca]

LosingGrip said:

Ayahuasca said:

Altberg? There’s your problem.

I can't fault their boots...best pair I've owned over the years. Just their laces that are st!

I had two pairs of their jungle boots and the lacing system is rubbish … they used cheap steel rivets that rust and the rusty edge severs the laces …. Then the the rivets break and the boots are unusable.

The American Altama jungle books use coated brass eyelets … they don’t rust and are much more robust.

[Faust66]

LosingGrip said:

Ayahuasca said:

Altberg? There’s your problem.

I can't fault their boots...best pair I've owned over the years. Just their laces that are st!

Got a pair of Defenders and a pair of Field and Fell. Wish I'd saved my money to be honest. Field and Fell were custom made as well as I've got big feet.

I know you said you don't like flat laces, but I've never had a problem with Lowa flat laces - been wearing Lowa boots for many, many years, and I've never had a lace break.

Oh, and use the ladder method of lacing (assuming you've not tried it already...). Once you try it, you'll never go back to the factory 'cross' method.

[CopperBolt]

Used www.biglaces.com years ago. From what I recall, a good service.

[Chicken Chaser]

Not sure of the hate on Altbergs. They last for ages. The laces I agree could be better as I always find they end up fraying but the boots far outlast most other stuff.

[Evoluzione]

I found it was down to the material. The originals I found were nylon, any replacements were often cotton so didn't last very long. Once i'd specifically bought nylon ones they lasted longer, but they were harder to find.

[WyrleyD]

I had the same problem with laces on my boots breaking every 3 months or so. Bought some IRONLACES from Amazon and all good for 12 months so far.

[r44flyer]

Another vote for Ironlaces. And they're guaranteed for life, so if you do manage to break them they give you a new pair anyway.

Only issue with mine so far is they don't hold their colour very well. I bought black, they're now grey. Wherever they are abraded is where they fade.

[EW109]

What about leather ones?

They may seem old-fashioned, and are square not round, but they are pretty robust.

[sociopath]

Ayahuasca said:

LosingGrip said:

Ayahuasca said:

Altberg? There’s your problem.

I can't fault their boots...best pair I've owned over the years. Just their laces that are st!

I had two pairs of their jungle boots and the lacing system is rubbish … they used cheap steel rivets that rust and the rusty edge severs the laces …. Then the the rivets break and the boots are unusable.

The American Altama jungle books use coated brass eyelets … they don’t rust and are much more robust.

I have a 20 year old pair of all weather hogs, my favourite boots, never had a problem with them. Wore them on a daily basis riding to work for 15 of those years.
Fit like an old pair of boots, still waterproof, best investment I ever made. Nothing rusty on mine, and I can't say I've been particularly careful in looking after them.

[Taff107]

Whilst serving, Danners or Matterhorns used to be favourite at one point until the appearance of Altbergs and Lowas. Absolutely the best I have owned. I still have both my Altbergs and Lowas. No soles on them at the moment as the original (15-20 yr old) went brittle and literally fell off but its only £70 for a full Vibram resole from Lowa approved cobbler.

As for laces, I use leather. Awful until they are 'broken in' but soon go soft and round off. Last for years

[C n C]

If you want some pretty tough round, black laces, assuming these are for functional rather than formal type use, you can make your own out of paracord.

When you cut it, just make sure to melt the ends with a lighter to prevent fraying, and it'll last for ages. Also pretty cheap at £15 for 30 metres of the stuff.

[nikaiyo2]

Have a look at https://www.shoestringuk.com/

[Its Just Adz]

WyrleyD said:

I had the same problem with laces on my boots breaking every 3 months or so. Bought some IRONLACES from Amazon and all good for 12 months so far.

I'll have a look here as I got my last pair from Amazon and they are fraying already.

[Jimbo893]

I replaced the laces on my Danners with their own brand laces. 2 sets in 13 years of daily use.

[EdmondDantes]

Don’t know how many times I’ve went to pull my boot laces tight and have them snap and nearly punch myself in the face!