Shoelaces

[John in Covina]

I was wondering if you could use the surf-board wax, that is supposed to be non-slippery.:eusa_doh:

 

[Talbot]

There are two sorts of waxed shoelaces, to my knowledge: coated and permeated. The wax-coated ones slip, but the ones permeated with wax don't. The latter are long-lasting and work, the former aren't and don't.

That sounds right. The shoelaces I have must be wax permeated. The ones that Florshiem sells as waxed don't even feel waxy, just smooth and shiny.

I have never had wax permeated shoelaces before, but I can highly recommend them as superior to the ones sold as waxed today. They are easy to tie and refuse to come undone.

This has become the 'Why I hate wax coated shoelaces so much' thread, so double phooey on wax coated shoelaces!!!

Now that's settled, where do you get the wax permeated laces?

 

[cookie]

Talbot send me a PM and tell me which length you want and colour etc and I'll send you a couple of pairs.

 

[Madcap72]

I was wondering if you could use the surf-board wax, that is supposed to be non-slippery.:eusa_doh:

Read my mind.

I would try heating some surfboard wax up and letting the shoelaces steep in it for a bit, then pulling them out hot and straining the excess off.

If it doesn't work, you could always switch to paraffin wax and make candles!

 

[Ethan Bentley]

I was always told to rub a bit of candle wax on shoelaces to stop them coming undone. That said I've not worn lace ups for about 5 years now.

 

[Talbot]

Very kind of you Cookie

Talbot send me a PM and tell me which length you want and colour etc and I'll send you a couple of pairs.

I'll make some measurements and PM you.

Thanks

Talbot

 

[Chad Sanborn]

Well, I have flat waxed that stay tied. I have round waxed that stay tied. Then I have a pair of round unwaxed that almost refuses to be tied. I think maybe it has to do with the type of wax used.

 

[countryclubjoe]

finding the right shoe laces for your vintage boots

I recently purchased a vintage pair of boots. After wearing them twice, the laces broke.
They looked original to the boots, They are 60inches in length.

The boots are dress boots so I want a nice thin lace not a heavy work boot type lace.

TIA for comments and opinions.

Best regards

CCJOE

 

[Paul Roerich]

In the link below, you'll find vintage brown laces that are 54 inches long. That's pretty close; probably as close as you can get.


http://www.american-vintage.net/mlaces.html

 

[countryclubjoe]

Thanks Paul, The 54 inches will not help, I need 60ins.
I will keep trying to find them somewhere. Ebay ?
Best regards
CCJOE

 

[Vampyre Master]

you could consider leaving top i or 2 holes not laced
VM

 

[DougC]

I know its not vintage, but, check out this site I found with a google search.

http://www.shoelacesexpress.com/hikersheavyduty.asp

 

[ButteMT61]

Good thread. I was actually just looking to replace some laces in a couple pairs of WWII repro boots and some of my casual pairs. Thanks for the links.

 

[Benzadmiral]

This Christmas I bought a nice pair of black Alden wingtips, but the laces are awfully short. I've found some laces on eBay that say they are wax-impregnated, either 30" or 36", black or brown, 3/32" wide. Is that the right width? And the shoes have 5 holes, so what length should I go for?

 

[johnnycanuck]

My old Red Wing boots came with waxed laces. Never came undone. Just had to have them replaced, the ends were fraying. Now they have thin things with parachute cord running threw them. Apparently they are more durable. They also never come undone. Both work just fine. Maybe contact a Red Wing dealer and see what they have.
With that said I have Allen Edmonds that don't come undone, but the crap that came with my Bostonian and Florsheim had to be replaced.
My two cents worth.
Johnny

 

[Trouser Bark]

I have an old set of White's boots w/ flat waxed laces. Love the boots and have had them for years but never have liked the waxed flat lace. It's not an issue of them coming untied (or knotting) it's that the waxed flats don't seem to seat into a speed lace as well as other designs. I know that doesn't make complete sense but I've had an easy decade or more to get used to them and haven't.

I've got other pairs of boots with different laces but amongst this group is there a generally accepted best (or highly rated) boot lace? If you point 'em out, I'll try 'em. What say you?

Interesting aside: My MIL calls them authority boots as they make a unique sound when walking.

 

[Peacoat]

This Christmas I bought a nice pair of black Alden wingtips, but the laces are awfully short. I've found some laces on eBay that say they are wax-impregnated, either 30" or 36", black or brown, 3/32" wide. Is that the right width? And the shoes have 5 holes, so what length should I go for?

Why don't you measure your current laces and get something a little longer?

A five hole dress shoe should take laces at 33". If your options are 30" or 36", I would go with the 36" length, and you will be fine.