Boot laces – new/repair ends

[Ken M]

Looks like it's time for new boot laces. The laces I bought were too long so I had to cut. This is how I deal with the raw ends or how I repair ends that have frayed.

Method 1: Slide a short length of 1/8 inch diameter heat shrink tubing over the raw end. Gently heat with match or lighter. Snip end flush if needed. This holds up well. It works good if your lace is the fat wide type as it makes a nice round tip. The heat shrink tubing is the kind used for insulating electrical wiring connections and can be found most places that have electrical supplies.

Method 2: Saturate the tip with super glue. Snip the end if needed to remove any fraying. This hardens the lace into solid plastic and makes for easy stringing though eyelets.

Enjoy your hike. Ken

Originally posted in gear but also useful for finishing rope or cord ends.

[Jack Hoster]

Heat shrink tubing on laces! Good show.

[Jim W.]

For help remembering the correct name for shoe lace ends:

[Ultra Magnus]

It's funny that I never knew what an aglet was, or even recall hearing the word aglet, until seeing that Phineas and Ferb episode. Now I hear it mentioned all over the place.

BM

[David Thomas]

Ken: Thanks. I do a lot of heat-shrink tubing, but hadn't ever known the super glue trick.

The other technique I use at times is to burn the end, letting it catch fire for a while. Then WHILE WEARING A LEATHER GLOVE!!!!, I roll the molten nylon in a fold of wax paper to make an aglet / tip / sealed end. I roll it so the hardened tip is somewhat narrower than the cord itself so it is easier to thread through holes.

If it ends up with a hard sharp tip on it, I round it off with sand paper or expose it for a second to a flame and surface-tension causes it to smooth out.

And this technique? You can do it on the trail with a mini-Bic and two pieces of tree bark.

[Ken M]

"An aglet (or aiglet) is a small plastic or metal sheath typically used on each end of a shoelace, cord, or drawstring. An aglet keeps the fibers of the lace or cord from unraveling; its firmness and narrow profile make it easier to hold and easier to feed through the eyelets, lugs, or other lacing guides." -Wikipedia

Who knew?

[Tad Englund]

David, I use the same technique on all synthetic twine or rope except I use a damp rag, it seems to cool the melted material and shape it at the same time.

I also (when I have time) whip finish the shoe lace ends. I usually use embroidery thread ( I think that is what I had around the first time I did it, so it stuck).

You can see in the pictures below, I now try and match the shoe lace. The older red/green is on my old leather hiking boots, I did that one back in 1980, so yes I think whipping lasts pretty well.

[Author]

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