Your Favorite Shoe Lacing System

PoorInRichfield
PoorInRichfield Posts: 56
edited February 2019 in Road general
Curious as to which type of shoe lacing system you prefer and why.

Seems that traditional shoe laces were making a come-back, but now the BOA lacing system is all-the-rage on most new shoes. While I understand the comfort factor of shoe laces, the childhood nightmares of my laces coming undone and getting stuck in my chain ring have kept me from going that route. I recently purchased a pair of shoes with BOA laces, and while I see the advantages, I'm not super excited about the fact that my foot can feel where the BOA dial is when I tighten the shoe. At the moment, I'm thinking that the mixture of Velcro and ratchet straps that were on my Giro shoes might be the best option for me. What about you?

Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Had velcro for mtb but the constant mud stopped them closing properly. Ok for road shoes though.
    Had the microlock on my sidi but the pin kept working loose. Now I've two pairs of laced shoes but I've swapped them out for elastic laces. No knots to get caught in the chainring and I've never pulled my foot out. Also saves vital seconds each time I put them on ! :-)
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    An all Velcro shoe for me please. I've done the BOA thing and it was pretty meh, but I love my Giro Prolight II/Rapha Climbers!
  • joe_totale-2
    joe_totale-2 Posts: 1,333
    Boa dials all the way, just a shame that they're on the pricey shoes!
    I personally enjoy the fact that you can tighten them up on the move without stopping.
  • PoorInRichfield
    PoorInRichfield Posts: 56
    Joe Totale wrote:
    I personally enjoy the fact that you can tighten them up on the move without stopping.
    Another issue I have with BOA laces is that you can't loosen them without stopping. If you tighten them too much, then you have to pop the button and start over :(
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    PoorInRichfield wrote:
    Joe Totale wrote:
    I personally enjoy the fact that you can tighten them up on the move without stopping.
    Another issue I have with BOA laces is that you can't loosen them without stopping. If you tighten them too much, then you have to pop the button and start over :(

    No buttons on my Spesh Torch shoes. Just tighten and loosen.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    PoorInRichfield wrote:
    Joe Totale wrote:
    I personally enjoy the fact that you can tighten them up on the move without stopping.
    Another issue I have with BOA laces is that you can't loosen them without stopping. If you tighten them too much, then you have to pop the button and start over :(

    Why would you need to stop ?
  • philclubman
    philclubman Posts: 229
    I can comment on this:

    At the moment I alternate between three pairs of good road shoes:

    Rapha Climber's Shoes - Velcro
    Mavic Cosmic Pro - dual Boa
    Fizik R3 (old model) - ratchet and velcro

    The Rapha; the sole is stiff and the uppers are supple - you have to pull the velcro straps tight to get a racy, responsive feel. I think this is more to do with the material of the upper than the closure method.

    Mavic; the sole and uppers are stiff. The boa dials are two way adjust so you can loosen then on the go. Feel more responsive due to the stiff upper.

    Fizik; my least favourite due to the fit.

    My take on shoes is that the closure method is not the most important thing. I would suggest that width and volume/feel of the upper is the most important thing. All decent road shoes soles are stiff. The difference in responsiveness/comfort is in the fit and the suppleness or stiffness of the upper (also things like heel grip).

    I haven't tried Giro laced shoes yet, but they look good and get good reviews. I do think my next pair of shoes will be Spesh S-Works 7 - dual Boa.

    Saying all that, I think dual Boa is the closure most top end road shoes will go with and would be my preference if pushed.

    HTH
    De Rosa http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13008529
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Till I tallied up which closure I've got on my shoes I didn't realise how many shoes I've got. :oops:
      Shimano XC70 - Ratchet Strap
      Shimano XC90 - Ratchet Strap
      Specialised - Velcro Strap don't wear these much as they need Bicarb of Soda if I do it seems
      DHB - Velcro Strap
      Specialised Cadet - Laces BNIB bought for £15
      Specialised Defroster - Boa Turn & Pull to release
      Lake - Boa Turn & Pull to release
      Specialised BG - Boa Turn both ways

    Defrosters don't get much use given they are a winter boot but the others get worn from time to time though I do wear the Boa shoes more frequently, would like to get them all the same system where you turn both ways.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • scott_w1987
    scott_w1987 Posts: 316
    Laces look best but take longest
  • pippi_langsamer-2
    pippi_langsamer-2 Posts: 1,470
    PoorInRichfield wrote:
    Joe Totale wrote:
    I personally enjoy the fact that you can tighten them up on the move without stopping.
    Another issue I have with BOA laces is that you can't loosen them without stopping. If you tighten them too much, then you have to pop the button and start over :(

    You're not using Boa then

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