New Laces for the New Year

[tstop4me]

1.  Disclosure. A representative of Derby Laces provided me and other skaters with free samples of laces for a field trial.  There were no conditions stipulated; in particular, neither I nor the other skaters are under any obligation to provide a review.  Except for a brief summary of other skaters' experiences, this review is based solely on my personal experiences. 

2.  Laces under Test. Derby Laces (https://derbylaces.com/) manufactures several lines of laces for roller derby skate boots.  Several years ago, I checked them out to see whether any would be suitable for figure skate boots, but they were all substantially too wide.  Recently, they introduced a new line of narrower laces to meet the needs of new roller derby skate boots that require narrower laces.  They have designated this line as "Waxed CORE Laces" (https://derbylaces.com/product-category/derby-laces/waxed-core-laces/).  Laces from this particular line were tested on figure skate boots in the field trial.

3.  Width.  The nominal width designated by the manufacturer is 6 mm.  I measured an unstretched (laces relaxed) width of 7 mm and a stretched (laces pulled tight under tension) width of 6 mm.  In comparison, I measured the following widths (unstretched/stretched) for three common brands of figure skate laces:  Jackson (6.5 mm/5 mm); Riedell (5.5 mm/4.5 mm); A&R (6 mm/4.5 mm).  Although the CORE laces are slightly wider than typical figure skate laces, they are narrow enough to attempt a trial.  [For those who are interested, I have included details of width and thickness measurements in an Appendix at the end of this review.]

4.  Materials and Features. The laces are manufactured from all polyester fibers and treated with wax.  The tips (aglets) are integrally molded (thermally fused) from the lace material itself:  no separate tips that can be pulled off.

5.  Colors.  For traditional figure skaters, basic white and basic black are available. For coaches seeking laces that coordinate with beige or tan coaching boots, tan is available.  In contrast to figure skaters, roller derby skaters apparently are colorful characters.  For whimsical figure skaters, the CORE laces come in a rainbow of colors, including, literally, "rainbow". 

6.  Lengths.  Lengths currently range from 36 to 120 inches, with values based on the needs of the roller derby boot market.  Many, however, are suitable for figure skate boots.  The manufacturer plans to introduce more lengths to meet the needs of the figure skate boot market.  If you are interested in a particular length not currently available, I suggest that you post the length that you want.

7.  My Experience.  I wore the CORE laces on Jackson Elite Suede boots (previous leather model, purchased late 2014).  The previous laces I wore were Jackson Elite laces.

* Initial lace-up (threading the laces through the eyelets and looping the laces around the hooks) with the CORE laces was slower than with the Jackson laces because of the increased width of the CORE laces.

* The wax on the CORE laces hit the sweet spot.  Not too little, not too much ... just right.  Not too slick, not too tacky ... just right.

* Pulling on the laces gave a secure feeling.  The wax served as a lubricant as a portion of the lace was pulled tight through an eyelet, across another portion of the lace, or around a hook.  The wax also helped anchor a portion of the lace once it had been pulled tight. 

* Laces stayed tight throughout the session; no re-lacing needed.  In addition to the wax, the extra width probably helped in keeping the laces from slipping.

* The laces stretched with initial use, resulting in slight narrowing of the laces.  After about three sessions, I was able to loop the laces around the hooks with ease (my boots have small hooks).

* I have worn the CORE laces for about 6 months (about 120 sessions) now.  They have held up well.  After the initial break-in of the laces, the overall lacing procedure is easier, compared to that with previous laces, because the laces keep tension during lace-up better (less slippage) and maintain the tension throughout a session.  Overall, they feel more secure than previous laces I've worn.  As an added advantage, the waxed fibers are gentler on my fingers.

8.  Other Skaters' Experiences. Seven other skaters participated in the field trial.  They included skaters who skated intermediate and advanced freestyle and intermediate and advanced dance.  Some skaters also worked as coaches and rink guards.  Figure skate boots worn in the field trial included (a) Jackson Freestyle (previous leather model), (b) Jackson Elite (previous leather model), (c) Jackson Elite (current 5000 series synthetic model), (d) Jackson coaching boots (unknown previous leather model), (e) Riedell Aria, (f) Harlick custom dance [two skaters], and (g) an ancient pair of Kneblis (unknown model).

* The common positive response from all skaters was that the CORE laces stayed tied tight throughout a session; whereas, with their previous laces, they had to stop and re-lace one or more times.

* The skaters with non-Harlick boots either reported no problems with initial lace-up or slower initial lace-up, followed by easier lace-up after several sessions.  This likely depended on how worn the eyelets were and on the size of the hooks.

* The two skaters with the Harlick boots had relatively new (several months old) boots that came with extra narrow and thin Harlick break-in laces.  They had not yet changed over to 'normal' laces.  Consequently, the CORE laces were substantially more snug and slower to lace up.  Both skaters, however, were pleased with the non-slip performance of the laces and continued to use them (they strongly preferred them to the laces that had been supplied with the boots).

9.  Other Applications.  Since the laces are available in short lengths down to 36", I tried a pair of 45" laces on my ankle-height work boots that I wear every day.  They perform much better than the typical round laces supplied with work boots.  These laces stay tied down and are durable.

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10.  APPENDIX.  Width and Thickness Comparison.

Width*: (Derby) 7.0/6.0; (Jackson) 6.5/5.0; (Riedell) 5.5/4.5; (A&R) 6.0/4.5

Thickness**:  (Derby) 1.7 – 1.8/1.5 – 1.6; (Jackson) 1.4 – 1.5/1.3 – 1.4; (Riedell) 1.8 – 1.9/1.7 – 1.8; (A&R) 1.5 – 1.6/1.3 – 1.4

* Nearest 0.5 mm in unstretched/stretched state.  Measurements taken at 10 points along a single sample lace.

** Nearest 0.1 mm in unstretched/stretched state.  Measurements taken at 10 points along a single sample lace.

Laces were unused, out of the package.  Derby laces were recent vintage.  Other laces were purchased ~ two years ago.  Product designations:

Derby CORE
Jackson Elite No. 92PT
Riedell No. 3276
A&R No. 9094B.

Since laces are easily deformable, measurements will depend on the instruments and conditions used.  All laces were measured with the same instruments and under the same conditions.  We would expect measurements to vary with lot, storage conditions, and age.  Therefore, these measurements are not statistically valid.

[Bill_S]

Pretty cool colors, even subtle ones that will suite this old geezer.

There are other bright colors offered for the very daring.

[Bill_S]

I ordered four sets of laces. The black and the purple will be OK, but the periwinkle is out.

I thought that it might actually be more gray with a slight color wash, but it's not. Gray would have been nice, especially for skaters of a certain age.

[tstop4me]

I ordered four sets of laces. The black and the purple will be OK, but the periwinkle is out.

I thought that it might actually be more gray with a slight color wash, but it's not. Gray would have been nice, especially for skaters of a certain age.

Do you mean gray to coordinate with your hair?  :-)   There's one girl who pops up at my home rink now and then.  The periwinkle would coordinate well with the streaks in her hair.

One day I need to go to a roller derby meet and see what this spectacle of color is all about.

[Bill_S]

Do you mean gray to coordinate with your hair?  :-)

Absolutely! I've earned the right to coordinate with gray clothing!

If I see your periwinkle skater, I'll give my periwinkle laces to her.

BTW, our ice rink was used in the past for our local roller derby team's practice during the no-ice summer months. Now the Appalachian Hell Betties practice at a small roller rink nearby. And they are a colorful group indeed! According to their website https://aord.org/, they are "NOW RECRUITING! We are offering Fresh Meat practices every Wednesday... "

[tstop4me]

BTW, our ice rink was used in the past for our local roller derby team's practice during the no-ice summer months. Now the Appalachian Hell Betties practice at a small roller rink nearby. And they are a colorful group indeed! According to their website https://aord.org/, they are "NOW RECRUITING! We are offering Fresh Meat practices every Wednesday... "

I clicked on the link.  Compared to the freestyle girls I'm used to, those roller derby girls are aliens from another universe.  Looks like they could hold their own against unruly hockey boys.

[tstop4me]

Update for Skaters Who Wear Edea Boots:

The CORE laces were not tested with Edea boots during the initial field trial.  Edea laces have an unusual flattened tubular geometry; and they are also wider than traditional laces such as Jackson or Riedell.  I recently found out that CORE laces also have a flattened tubular geometry (not obvious upon casual inspection).  Since the CORE laces are also wider than Jackson or Riedell laces, I asked a skater at my rink to try them out on her Edeas.  She's a high-level competitive freestyle skater who wears Pianos, the top-of-the-line Edea boots. 

She raves about the CORE laces, and strongly prefers them over the Edea laces.  The width is a good match; they lace up more easily ... and most importantly, they stay tied down throughout a session.  She told me that, in the course of a 45-min intensive jumping session, she typically needs to re-tie her Edea laces twice; but, with the CORE laces, she doesn't need to re-tie at all.

If you are looking for an alternative to Edea laces, you should try the CORE laces.

[Bill_S]

I've got only a few hours on them, but I've never had laces that lock-in and don't loosen like these. I'm sold.

The material and construction make unlacing them different from my usual Riedell laces. Because they grip to each other, and especially to the lace holes in the skate, you have to pick each lace row loose at at time. They don't slide easily, which is their real advantage while skating.

BTW, I gave the Periwinkle laces to the rink for anyone to use. Even though I'm sure that I could see them for tying better than my black laces, it just wasn't my style.

[princesshockey]

I LOVE my derby laces!  They're a little tough to unlace but that's because they lock in so well (I assume due to the wax and shape).  I use them with my Jackson Debut skates and have no trouble getting them laced up.  It's much easier to lace than in my previous A&R laces which would cut my fingers trying to get them tight enough. 

I got the teal and purple ones.   I also bought the rainbow pair...they're more black with rainbow stitching..wish they'd make more of a true rainbow but hey...anything other than plain white and I'm happy!

[nicklaszlo]

* The common positive response from all skaters was that the CORE laces stayed tied tight throughout a session; whereas, with their previous laces, they had to stop and re-lace one or more times.

That sounds very appealing.  I may have to import some.  Of course I already have lots of spares.

[infinitespiral]

I've had the teal and purple CORE laces on my Jacksons for about six months now, and I love them. They lock in, don't need re-lacing during a session, and they're very cool looking, too!

[lutefisk]

Just rec'd two pair of CORE laces, 120" long, black.  My old laces were (a) stretched to the point were they needed retying after a half hour's time and (b) they were fraying around the areas which engaged the hooks.  I replaced them with the new laces last night and will see how they do, hopefully this weekend.

[alejeather]

I just ordered some to try out. Looking forward to giving them a go!

[nicklaszlo]

I read this thread and decided I would buy these the next time I need laces.  It's been four years and I finally need to buy laces because my new boots require longer laces than the old ones.  Sadly, they only have 146" laces in 4.5 mm width, which I think is too narrow (I break laces and eyelets).  Also, there are no fun colors for the very long laces.

[tstop4me]

I read this thread and decided I would buy these the next time I need laces.  It's been four years and I finally need to buy laces because my new boots require longer laces than the old ones.  Sadly, they only have 146" laces in 4.5 mm width, which I think is too narrow (I break laces and eyelets).  Also, there are no fun colors for the very long laces.

I recently got 146" Derby Lace EDGE laces (narrower than the CORE laces) for a new pair of Jackson Supreme 5362 Men's boots.  I swapped out the original Jackson Elite laces (which I don't care for, and the 134" laces supplied with them were a bit on the short side).  They work great.  I also wore the narrower EDGE laces (134") on a previous pair of Jacksons.  It's a matter of personal preference, but I like the narrower ones better.  Breakage is not a problem.  Jackson hooks are on the small size.  A couple of times I snagged a lace on a hook and couldn't get the lace off.  I had to cut the lace to remove it.  The narrower laces also allow you to double-lace around the hooks if you prefer that lacing style (ETA:  I found it was helpful for the new Jackson 6K tongue, but that's a different story).

I had posted an update with a comparison between CORE and EDGE laces:  https://skatingforums.com/index.php?topic=8513.msg101624#msg101624

I'm glad Derby supplies the 146" laces (as well as an even longer 158" for those who need it); otherwise, I'd be stuck with the Jackson laces.  I couldn't find another supplier.  Most laces come in a max length of 120"  (Riedell does list one version at 130").