We know what you’re probably thinking—laces are laces are laces are laces. But like the saying goes, the devil is in the details, and the right pair can really tie your outfit together (pardon our pun). Even if looks aren’t the first thing on your mind, there are still plenty of reasons you should pay close attention to picking the best boot laces for you. The laces you choose can have a huge impact on the effectiveness, durability, and safety of your boots.

Laces take a lot of abuse over time, whether your boots are for hiking, construction or other grueling work, or even just for getting around in the rain and snow. Laces can even help preserve the health of your feet by alleviating pressure points and pinching. 

If you’re now panicked that you’ve been wearing your boots wrong for all this time, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a list of the best boot laces for any occasion that you can buy today, so you don’t have to worry about spending hours scrolling through Google looking through a bunch of products that all look the same. Keep reading to learn all about our top picks.

 

With Ironlace Unbreakable laces, the name says it all. These are the best boot laces for men who wish they could replace their laces one last time and not have to worry about it again. Ironlace is so confident in the quality of their boot laces that they have a lifetime guarantee–which reviews note the company always honors. 

The Unbreakable Boot Laces are made of para-aramid fibers, which is a fancy way of saying “material that can go through literally anything.” 

These boot laces are waterproof, heat-resistant up to 332 degrees celsius, and have a 1500 pound breaking strength—even if you’re not going to be going through all of that, isn’t it nice to know? If you’re looking for a pair of boot laces you won’t have to look down at for at least a decade, Ironlace is the way to go. 

Style: Round | Length: 72 inch | Material: Para-Aramid Fiber | Colors Available: Black

While cotton laces on a pair of boots might make you raise an eyebrow, hear us out. Waxed cotton makes the thin, soft material thicker and more durable, protects against fraying, and even adds a sheen and luster that allows for it to be paired with any shoes in your closet. Myrqvist’s Waxed cotton laces live up to all of these promises. 

These waxed laces are simple, elegant, and strong, and are the best boot laces for guys who have an eye for the finer things. 

They come in two basic colors that match anything, two different lengths so you can tailor your choice to whatever shoes you already own, and you can choose between round or flat depending on your style. Use these laces to dress up your work boots or pair them with your favorite chukkas and let them shine.

Style: Round and flat | Material: Waxed cotton | Colors Available: Brown, black

Between getting snagged on rocks and twigs, going in and out of streams and rivers, and trekking through the mud, your hiking boot laces take a lot of hits. That’s why we think a pair of Rhino Laces are such a worthwhile investment. Rhino Laces market themselves as “virtually indestructible”, with a para-aramid fiber (there’s that fun word again) construction that can withstand heat, water, and a ton of stretch. 

Rhino Laces offer a lifetime warranty on their products, and promise a new, free pair to anyone who breaks their originals and sends them an email describing “how the hell” they were broken. 

Hopefully if these fail you, you’ve at least got a good story to share (and some new laces). Grab them in one of their many colors and get ready to hit the trails.

Style: Round | Length: 36 inches, 44 inches, 52 inches, 62 inches, 70 inches, 78 inches, 86 inches, 94 inches, 102 inches, 108 inches | Material: Para-Aramid fiber | Colors Available: Black, tan, red, orange, green, blue, pink

When you’re ankle deep in mud on a construction site or navigating a floor slick with sawdust, the last thing you want to worry about is if your shoelaces are holding up. That’s why Mercury + Maia made their Honey Badger Work Boot Laces. These laces are tough without being stiff, so they stay firmly in place without constricting your foot. 

These are some of the most durable laces you could ask for, and are the best boot laces working conditions. They’re both flame and chemical resistant, and their kevlar fabric can take up to a whopping 350 pounds of pressure without breaking.

If you know that these are the best boot laces for you, you can also rest assured you’ll find the perfect pair. Not only does Mercury + Maia make their laces in a wide variety of lengths to fit any boot, their product description provides a handy chart with guidelines on which length you need.

Style: Round | Length: 45 inches, 48 inches, 54 inches, 60 inches, 72 inches, 84 inches | Material: Kevlar | Colors Available: Brown, gray, red, green, black, orange, yellow

While it may not be your first instinct, leather laces can be a solid, sturdy, and low-cost choice for laces—plus, you get the added bonus of looking like Indiana Jones. TOFL Logger Style laces are the best boot laces for guys who want to show off their rugged style without compromising durability and toughness. 

These laces are flat but thick, so you get the same hefty feel of a round lace while maintaining a unique style. These laces are made of chrome tanned cowhide leather, which makes it both flame and water resistant. Wear these with your work boots or transfer them to your favorite dress boots for a worn-in, vintage look.

Style: Flat | Length: 108 inches | Material: Leather | Colors Available: Black, tan, brown

Even though it may sound over the top, there’s a huge upside to your bootlaces being made of the same material as bulletproof vests, which is why KG’s Bootguard KG-XTREME laces are the perfect laces for men who need their boots to get them through tough conditions

These laces are specifically marketed towards welders and firefighters, so you can be confident that they’re heat and chemical resistant. 

The waxed fibers are woven together tightly and tipped with a plastic aglet (if Phineas and Ferb hadn’t already taught you that that’s the name for the end of a shoelace, now you know) to prevent any chance of fraying, and thickness of the lace allows for a tight fit.

One reviewer raved about how these were the best boot laces he’s had hold up through work on an oil rig, so you know they’re tough.

Style: Round | Length: 72 inches | Material: Kevlar | Colors Available: Black

You can be honest—readjusting your laces is nothing but a hassle. If you’re looking for a no-slip grip that will last the whole day no matter what you’re doing, Lock Laces are the perfect choice. 

The installation is super simple: all you have to do is lace your boots normally, tighten your laces to your comfort level and lock them in, trim the laces, and then fix them in the included clip. 

These laces measure at 72 inches, but can stretch up to 108 inches, so you have a totally customizable fit that conforms to your foot without being too snug. 

They’re designed for tough conditions like hiking, construction, or landscaping, so they are water-resistant and incredibly durable. No matter what you use them for, there’s no shame in doing things the easy way with Lock Laces.

Style: Round | Length: 72 inches | Material: Elastic | Colors Available: Black, brown, camo, tan

Just because boots tend to get beat up, doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Whether you’re looking for the best boot laces that will help you be seen in tough conditions, or you just want to brighten up your boots and add a bit of personality, then Benchmark Basics laces are the first place you should look.

These laces run the full gamut of color and length options, so you can find wear your favorite color no matter what your boot specs are. 

These laces are waxed cotton, so they’re water resistant, while the plastic tips protect against fraying. Since these laces are thinner, with a 2 mm diameter, they’re very versatile and can transfer easily between your boots and your favorite dress shoes. 

Style: Round | Length: 27 inches, 30 inches, 33 inches, 36 inches, 39 inches | Material: Cotton | Colors Available: Black, gray, tan, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, navy

What To Look For When Searching For The Best Boot Laces

Length

Length is the most important factor to consider when replacing your boot laces. The length of lace you need depends largely on the number of eyelet pairs your boot has, as you need enough length to cover them all and tie them comfortably. Luckily, we found this handy chart to help you determine which length matches the number of eyelet pairs on your boots, so all you have to do is count.

Style

There are two main styles of laces: flat and round. Flat laces are thin and have a rectangular shape, while round laces are typically made of a thicker cord. Both have their advantages, but round laces make the best boot laces since they’re thicker and more durable. Flat laces are thinner and are found most often on running and casual sneakers.

Material

There’s one thing that all the best boot laces shouldn’t do, and that’s break. When it comes to boot laces, there are a few materials that shine above the rest in terms of safety and durability. Kevlar, paracord, and any nylon woven laces make up the best for people who are tired of breaking their laces, while unwaxed cotton and other soft material laces should be avoided.