Frayed Shoelace Ends

[DougPaul]

I solved the problem by going to MEC and buying Perlon. Any shop that sells climbing gear will have it and heat cut it to your desired length. I use 3mm for trail shoes and 4mm for boots. It will never fray, will outlast your footwear and holds a knot beautifully (or more people would die).

Perlon is a German trade name for nylon 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon_6

Modern nylon climbing rope/line/cordage is generally of a kernmantel (sheath and core) construction and the smaller sizes can function quite well as shoelaces. (Some might be a bit stiff.) While climbing accessory cord is abrasion resistant, it is not fray proof. If it does fray it is, of course, easily replaced.

BTW, anyone can cut nylon line with a hot knife. The hot knife will melt through the line leaving the fiber ends melted together. A quick bit of flame might strengthen the end. (One trick that I use is to wrap the end of the line in masking tape before cutting or melting which restricts the melt zone to just the end.)

Doug

 

[DayTrip]

Perlon is a German trade name for nylon 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon_6

Modern nylon climbing rope/line/cordage is generally of a kernmantel (sheath and core) construction and the smaller sizes can function quite well as shoelaces. (Some might be a bit stiff.) While climbing accessory cord is abrasion resistant, it is not fray proof. If it does fray it is, of course, easily replaced.

BTW, anyone can cut nylon line with a hot knife. The hot knife will melt through the line leaving the fiber ends melted together. A quick bit of flame might strengthen the end. (One trick that I use is to wrap the end of the line in masking tape before cutting or melting which restricts the melt zone to just the end.)

Doug

Thanks for that clarification. I Googled the term and it was bringing up a lot of nylon products.

 

[Remix]

I solved the problem by going to MEC and buying Perlon. Any shop that sells climbing gear will have it and heat cut it to your desired length. I use 3mm for trail shoes and 4mm for boots. It will never fray, will outlast your footwear and holds a knot beautifully (or more people would die).

I hope this helps.

Agreed...perlon

and some of these for better handling with gloves

http://www.amazon.com/Detachable-Plastic-Cord-Locks-Black/dp/B008AOUPDA/ref=pd_sim_201_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=016H59EX2ZHPQHMC52RE&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

Insert the cord through the hole, make a knot, draw the knot into bullet shaped end, and press on the cap.

 

[Gremlin]

I'm looking at my Perlon and of course it is nylon, but I don't thing it is Kernmantel. Kermantel would be a shroud over a core. I know this from my own climbing ropes. Perlon, at least from 3 to 7 mm seems to be braided.