Shoe/Boot Laces of Paracord and Shock Cord

G

Guy McVer

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Mar 22, 2022
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Thoughts, opinions, experiences? Tips and tricks? Things to avoid? Best and worst usage cases?

Please share your wisdom.

I was first introduced to the concept of using cordage for laces when I bought a pair of cheap hiking shoes with shock cord. I've had them for many years and they're now falling apart but I haven't been able to make myself throw them away yet. They're some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever had, and I think it's mostly because of the elastic laces. It's also nice never having to tie your shoes! 😁 So I bought some more shock cord and some cord stoppers and I'm going to do a different pair and see how it goes.

Since I have a bunch of extra shock cord and stoppers, I thought I might also try it on some hiking boots. Is this a bad idea? Is shock cord maybe not good for boots? I've seen a lot of people talk about using paracord as boot laces, or talk about using shock cord for running shoes, but I can't recall ever seeing people recommend using shock cord for boots.

Speaking of paracord laces, it seems like there may be a split over them, with some people saying they aren't worth it for any number of issues they have, and others who advocate them and say you need to coat them in wax or just use the sleeves, or tie them a special way, etc. This seems like too much hassle to me. Isn't the ideal gear something that just works and that you don't have to fiddle with?

My thoughts are that you should always be carrying extra paracord anyway, and just replace your laces if and when you need to. Otherwise maybe just leave them alone.

...but I have really enjoyed having shock cord laces on the one pair I've had them on so far...
 
Sadly there doesn't seem to be a lot of active users who are knowledgeable about this and who are willing to share. 🙁

Some tips I found so far:

When you cut a length of shock cord for your laces, you will probably want to melt the ends with a match or a lighter. Shock cord starts to fray immediately when cut, and threading it onto your shoes will be a lot easier if you melt those frayed ends.

You don't need to cut the shock cord to the exact same length as your old laces. Remember that the old laces had to be tied, so that's why they needed to be a little longer. Shock cord laces don't need that extra length.

It's probably a good idea to put the new laces on while the shoe is on your foot. It might save you some hassle in getting them properly adjusted.

In my previous post I neglected to mention the little end clasps you put over the ends of the shock cord once you're finished putting it on the shoe. I don't think you absolutely need to use them, but it's probably a good idea. They protect the ends of the cord and they keep it nice and tidy looking.
 
I would not use shock cord for boots, as I personally feel that you need to have yor boots firmly and securely laced up. The way I lace/tie mine allows for shin muscles to expand but without having the boot slop about.
I have used 550 paracord (did not seperate outer and inner) to replace laces on jungle boots, and would use it to replace other laces if necessary.
I think shock cord has its place in triathlon or running, I would not want to replace the long term laced comfort with the minimal time saved putting the shoes on and off.
 
I have a few boots with paracord laces and never had issues. Just cut melt and tie. If you have slippery paracord just use a square knot.

Boots with speed hooks are good for this also. Then I don't even have to untie the laces, Just loop and twist and you're set.

And if you don't like tying knots you can always use a cordoc.
 
Guy McVer said:
How's that?
Click to expand...
Sit down when fiting the boot. Have your upper leg roughly parallel with the floor. Scoot forward so you can move your foot backwards, creating a less than 90degree angle on the back of the legs (calf and hamstring). Keep your foot flat on the floor. This causes the front muscle on the shin to flex/expand. You can then lace a high leg boot (particularly if you wrap the laces round the collar of the boot) to be snugly laced and have enough allowance for the shin muscles to expand during normal hiking - and avoid getting the dreaded 'shin splints' pain some people get from lacing too tightly around the calf and shin.
 
I learned about this knot in a book and tie all my shoes this way. The only caveat is to pull gently when untying the laces, because it may knot itself again when pulling the loops out and makes it hard to get loose. I think that happens when the thumb loop goes over top the other when tying it. Your laces will rarely come undone on their own with this knot though.

 
I've shock-corded some shoes, but couldn't get it to work well on boots, that idea lasted about a week. Though to be fair Hiking Boot is a pretty wide range of shoe styles. I have found that most paracord doesn't make good shoelaces and really I don't plan on taking my shoe-laces apart for shelter building, I still need my shoes to work. I have used 3mm static accessory cord as replacement laces and it does work well, though it will still go slack when wet, since it's nylon. I'm generally a high-top sort of guy.

From all the walking I've done, the style of lace, boot and capabilities are just so personal that it is something you need to trial on your own. I have found that not having ideal tightness in boots can lead to premature wear, and can affect your gait, which again will start to mess with boot wear. But that really depends on you and how you fit your boot, ie, tight, loose, thin or thick sock. All of that comes into play, and there is no one set of rules. I think a huge factor is how tight you like your shoes, I like hikers pretty tight, and so I'd either need really heavy shock-cord (like 4mm or more) or tighten them to the point that I'm not getting any advantage from the rubber in it. For a walking shoe, around the city, that's not as bad, since I don't get them as tight.
 
While we all love the paracord... the problem with synthetic materials is that with regular footwear knots... they come undone. The sheath material is too slipery to hold on to iself. You can get fancy with the knotting and achieve something that holds, but I don't like that approach. The regular shoelaces that do not come undone usually have some cotton on the composition of the sheath.

I have a pair of Scarpa Phantom Guides (mountaineering rigid boots) that have a lacing system based on dyneema cord and a locking gadget. No matter how tight, how many turns, how fancy I get with the knotting... the upper half of the lacing (above the locking device) always gets loose/undone after a few hours). I usually don't notice untill it is too late because they boots have integrated gaitiers (with a zipper to keep water and snow out).

My experience with steet shoes and synthetic laces is also the same.

Mikel
 
I'm pleased to report that I shock corded the laces of a pair street shoes some time ago, and it has indeed made them incredibly comfortable compared to how they used to be. I gave it plenty of extra time just to be sure. As a result, I was finally able to confidently throw out that old pair of comfortable hiking shoes I was stubbornly hanging on to. :)

Based on what others have said here, I will definitely not be using shock cord or paracord for boot laces unless the existing laces break and a quick substitute is needed. :thumbsup:

Thanks !
 
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