New New Laces for the New New Year

[tstop4me]

1.  Disclosure.  A representative of Derby Laces (https://derbylaces.com/) 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. 

2.  Background.  About a year ago, I posted a thread titled "New Laces for the New Year"  (http://skatingforums.com/index.php?topic=8284.msg98811#msg98811), in which I reviewed the line of CORE laces (https://derbylaces.com/product-category/derby-laces/waxed-core-laces/).  Those laces are manufactured by Derby Laces primarily for roller-derby-skate boots; however, as I discussed in my review, they also function well for many figure-skate boots, and perform better than several widely used figure-skate laces.

3.  New New Laces. 

(a) EDGE Laces.  Derby Laces has just released the new line of EDGE laces (https://derbylaces.com/product-category/derby-laces/waxed-edge-laces-4-5mm/) specifically targeted for figure-skate boots.  Except for dimensions and color options, the EDGE laces are substantially the same as the CORE laces.  The EDGE laces are narrower and thinner than the CORE laces; see details below.  The EDGE laces are better for some figure-skate applications, while the CORE laces are better for other figure-skate applications; see guidelines below. 

(b) Field Trial.  I and five other skaters participated in the field trial with pre-production samples of EDGE laces.  We included skaters who skated intermediate and advanced freestyle and intermediate and advanced dance.  Some skaters also worked as coaches.  Figure skate boots worn in the field trial included (a) Jackson Elite, previous leather model (two skaters), (b) Jackson Elite, current 5000 series synthetic model, (c) Jackson coaching boots, unknown previous leather model, (d) Harlick custom dance boots (two skaters), and (e) Riedell intermediate boots, unknown leather model.  All skaters in the EDGE field trial (except for the Riedell skater) previously participated in the CORE field trial.

As in the CORE field trial, the common positive response from all skaters was that the EDGE laces stayed tied tight throughout a session; whereas, with their previous laces (supplied by the boot manufacturer or a generic accessory manufacturer), they had to stop and re-lace one or more times. 

4.  Common Features for EDGE and CORE Laces.

(a) Materials and Construction. The laces are flattened hollow tubes braided from all polyester fibers, and treated with wax. The wax is light, smooth, and pliable. These waxed laces are not stiff like cardboard and are not tarry:  skaters with previous bad experiences with other waxed laces (in particular, waxed hockey laces) should not shy away. The tips (aglets) are integrally molded (thermally fused) from the lace material itself: no separate tips that can be pulled off.  If a tip should develop a crack (e.g., if a skater with exposed blades steps on a tip), the fused fibers remain compressed, and the tip can still be threaded through eyelets.  In contrast, with standard laces, when a tip comes off, the previously encased fibers mushroom; and the bare end cannot be threaded through eyelets.

(b) Advantages of EDGE and CORE over Other Laces.  The materials and construction of the EDGE and CORE laces provide the following advantages over other laces:

* The wax on the 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 gives a secure feeling.  The wax serves as a lubricant as a portion of the lace is pulled tight through an eyelet, across another portion of the lace, or around a hook.  The wax and surface texture of the lace also help anchor a portion of the lace once it has been pulled tight.  As an added advantage, these laces are gentle on a skater's fingers.

* Laces stay tight throughout a session; no re-lacing needed. 

5.  Different Features between EDGE and CORE Laces.

(a)  Length.  CORE laces are currently available in lengths from 36 in (91 cm) to 134 in (340 cm).  EDGE laces are currently available in lengths from 72 in (183 cm) to 158 in (401 cm).  The longest lengths, in particular, will accommodate the needs of specific Jackson boots that require extra-long laces.  In the overlapping range of 72 in to 134 in, the specific lengths of laces are not all identical between the two lines.  As previously discussed, CORE laces were originally targeted for the roller-derby market; whereas, EDGE laces are targeted specifically for the figure-skate market.  In the 72 in to 134 in range, the following increments are currently available:

CORE

72 in (183 cm)
84 in (213 cm)
96 in (244 cm)
108 in (274 cm)
120 in (305 cm)
134 in (340 cm)

EDGE

72 in (183 cm)
81 in (206 cm)
90 in (229 cm)
100 in (254 cm)
108 in (274 cm)
114 in (290 cm)
122 in (310 cm)
134 in (340 cm)

(b)  Width and Thickness.  The manufacturer specifies the following widths under tension:  6 mm for CORE and 4.5 mm for EDGE.  I measured:

i. Width (unstretched/stretched state):  7mm/6 mm for CORE; 5 mm/4.5 mm for EDGE

ii. Thickness (unstretched/stretched state): 1.7 – 1.8 mm/1.5 – 1.6 mm for CORE; 1.1 – 1.2 mm/1.1 – 1.2 mm for EDGE

* Measurements taken on 10 points along a single sample of new, unused lace
* Unstretched:  laces relaxed
* Stretched:  laces pulled tight under tension
* Width: nearest 0.5 mm
* Thickness: nearest 0.1 mm

(c) Colors.  Roller-derby skaters are apparently colorful characters:  CORE laces are currently available in 27 colors and patterns.  EDGE laces are currently available in the three traditional figure-skate colors:  black, white, and tan.

6.  Guidelines for Selection between EDGE and CORE.

With a couple of exceptions, the choice between EDGE and CORE is largely a matter of personal preference: the easiest way for a skater to decide is to try them both.  Below are some guidelines based on my own personal experiences, as well as the experiences of other skaters.  For shorthand in the discussion below, I will use the term "typical" to refer to Riedell and Jackson boots and laces.

(a) Harlick Boots.  Harlick boots have smaller than typical eyelets. Skaters with Harlick boots should choose the narrower and thinner EDGE for easier lacing.

(b) Edea Boots.  Edea specifies special lacing procedures, and Edea laces are wider than typical.  Skaters with Edea boots should choose the wider and thicker CORE laces, since they are a close match for Edea laces. 

(c) Jackson, Riedell, and Other Boots.  Jackson laces are wider, but thinner, than Riedell laces.  Skaters who have used both Jackson and Riedell laces should choose CORE if they prefer Jackson over Riedell, and should choose EDGE if they prefer Riedell over Jackson. 

(d) Other Considerations.

i. Aesthetics.  Some skaters prefer the aesthetics of sleek, slender laces.  These skaters should choose the narrower and thinner EDGE.

ii. Small Hooks.  Some boots have small hooks.  Skaters with such boots should choose the narrower and thinner EDGE to reduce the chances of snagging laces on small hooks.

iii. Double Lacing.  Some skaters prefer to double lace along the top rows of hooks; i.e., they lace up the rows of hooks, and then re-lace down one or more rows of hooks before tying the bow.  These skaters should choose the narrower and thinner EDGE to accommodate two loops under a single hook easier.

iv. Differential Lacing.  Some skaters prefer to vary the tension along different zones; e.g., looser near the toes and tighter over the instep.  These skaters should choose the wider and thicker CORE:  the snugger fit through the eyelets and the greater contact area maintain differential tension better.

v. Length.  As described above, some of the lengths in CORE and EDGE are the same, but others are not.  In some instances, CORE or EDGE might provider a better match for a particular target length.

vi. Color.  Skaters who prefer colors beyond the traditional black, white, and tan should choose CORE (27 colors and patterns currently available).

[Bill_S]

Good to hear that Derby is expanding its lineup to include Edge laces. I'm very, very pleased with the Core laces on my Riedells.  The wider Core laces require a little attention (i.e., looking at what you are doing) when wrapping around the hooks. However that's a very minor issued to be able to get gray laces for my black boots. Old eyes, y'know.

I especially like how they stay tight throughout a session. Great company, fast delivery.