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.

Here is one boot "laced up" tightly:

Quote: Originally posted by jcardin

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. Here is one boot "laced up" tightly:

I bet you will like the "BOA" system:

https://www.theboasystem.com/

You can buy kits to retrofit existing lacing systems. This is probably just what you are looking for.

:o

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

Quote: Originally posted by ColinW

(and yes, there is a U in colour):o

You can keep the U in colour as long as we also preserve the usage of "lest" and "whilst."

As well as most of the lexicon from Firefly. :D

ATB,
Sam

Update with yet another cheap suggestion/solution

So, as an update on this...

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.