Boot lovers obsess over every detail: the leather grain, the welt, the tread. But laces? They’re often an afterthought. That is, until one snaps halfway through a long day. Good laces do more than hold your boots together. They affect how the boots feel, how they wear, and how they look.
At Guarded Goods, I offer a lineup of premium leather boot laces that match the quality of your footwear. This guide breaks down the main types I carry, what they’re made of, how they hold up, and how to care for them.
American-Tanned Leather Laces (USA Steerhide)
American-tanned leather boot laces are cut from thick, premium steerhide tanned in the USA, yielding rich natural tones and exceptional strength.
Cut from thick U.S.-tanned steerhide, these laces are all muscle. They’re typically hot-stuffed with oils and waxes, which gives them strength, a touch of water resistance, and a bold, natural finish.
How They Perform:
Expect them to feel stiff at first. That’s normal. Once they break in, they conform to your lacing pattern and stay put. These are the kinds of laces that last for years, not months. They are ideal for rugged boots like loggers, work boots, or heritage pairs that you want to age alongside the leather. Their natural tones and heft suit classic leather boots well.
Best For:
Heavy-duty boots, vintage styles, or anyone who wants laces that wear in with character.
Care Tips:
- Avoid soaking them. Water pulls out the oils.
- If they dry out, use a bit of mink oil or leather conditioner.
- Rotate the way you lace them to prevent uneven wear.
Rawhide (Alum-Tanned) & Chrome-Tanned Leather Laces
Chrome-tanned leather laces (shown in various colors) are softer and more flexible than rawhide laces. Both types are made from sturdy cowhide – rawhide laces tend to come in natural tones and maximum firmness, while chrome-tanned versions offer a rainbow of colors and pliability.
Both are made from sturdy cowhide, but the tanning method changes how they feel and behave.
Rawhide (Alum-Tanned)
Rawhide laces are known for sheer strength. They are dense, rigid, and difficult to snap. You’ll feel the difference the second you tie them. They hold tight and rarely come loose. Rawhide is often used in baseball gloves and hand-sewn footwear for good reason.
Best For:
Work boots, outdoor use, and any situation where durability is critical.
What to Watch:
Rawhide does not like water. If it gets soaked, condition it while drying to keep it from becoming brittle.
Chrome-Tanned Leather
These laces are more flexible and easier to tie. They come in a variety of colors and require little to no break-in time. They thread smoothly, stay tied, and have just enough give to keep a snug fit. Chrome tanning also helps them resist water better than rawhide.
Best For:
Daily-wear boots, hikers, or any pair that needs a softer, more forgiving lace.
Care Tips for Both:
- Wipe clean with a dry cloth when dirty.
- Let wet laces air dry slowly. Avoid dryers or heaters.
- Condition occasionally to prevent cracking or drying out.
Italian Leather Laces (Premium European Leather)
Premium Italian round leather laces in assorted colors. Italian laces often have a refined, uniform finish and a soft hand, making them ideal for dressier boots or shoes where style is as important as strength.
Made in Italy from premium full-grain leather, these laces are polished, refined, and well-balanced. They typically have a round profile and are finished with a smooth aniline dye that gives them depth of color without losing the leather’s natural character.
How They Perform:
Soft from day one, they lace smoothly and grip well without needing a break-in period. While not as rugged as rawhide or hot-stuffed steerhide, they hold up to everyday use and stay tied securely.
Best For:
Dress boots, casual boots, or any footwear where looks matter as much as function. They are also a great option for upgrading standard dress shoe laces.
Care Tips:
- Use a soft cloth to clean when needed.
- Apply a small amount of neutral leather balm if they begin to dry out.
- Avoid dark conditioners that could change the color.
Waxed Cotton Laces (Traditional Fabric Laces)
Waxed cotton boot laces in a variety of colors. The wax coating gives them a subtle sheen, added durability, and water resistance, making these laces a versatile choice for many types of footwear.
These traditional cotton laces are treated with beeswax or paraffin to give them a slightly glossy finish, a tacky grip, and added water resistance. They offer a classic look with reliable everyday function.
How They Perform:
Waxed cotton laces hold knots tightly and resist fraying better than untreated cotton. The wax adds light structure without making them stiff, so they lace easily and stay snug. They shed water instead of soaking it up, which makes them a better choice than plain cotton in damp conditions. While not as strong as nylon or leather, they’re dependable for daily wear.
Best For:
Dress shoes, casual boots, vintage-style footwear, and light-duty work boots. They’re also a great way to change up your boot’s look since they come in many colors and shapes like flat, round, thick, and thin. Not ideal for high-heat, abrasive, or high-tension environments.
Care Tips:
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth or hand wash with mild soap.
- Let them air dry. Heat can soften or distort the wax.
- You can re-wax them with beeswax or paraffin and a little heat from a hair dryer.
- If the tips start to fray, seal them with clear nail polish or wax for a quick fix.
Paracord Laces (Heavy-Duty Nylon Cord)
Rugged paracord boot laces (nylon) in assorted colors. Paracord laces are essentially made from the same material as parachute lines – a braided outer sheath with inner strands – giving them incredible strength and weather resistance for outdoor and work applications.
Made from Type III 550 paracord, these laces feature a woven nylon sheath around seven inner strands. Originally developed for parachutes, they’re designed for strength, weather resistance, and flexibility.
How They Perform:
Paracord laces can take a beating. They resist abrasion, dry quickly, and won’t rot or swell when wet. The outer surface is smooth, which can feel slick, but a double knot usually keeps them tight. The nylon has a slight stretch that helps keep tension even without cutting into your foot. Even if the outer layer frays, the inner strands still hold strong.
Best For:
Outdoor boots, work boots, hiking gear, tactical footwear, and any rough or wet environment. Not recommended for dress shoes or anything with small eyelets, since they’re bulkier and less refined.
Care Tips:
- Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
- Let them air dry. You can also machine wash them in a laundry bag.
- If the ends start to fray, melt them lightly with a flame or wrap with tape.
In a Pinch:
Paracord laces double as survival tools. The inner strands can be pulled out and used for fishing line, thread, or quick field repairs.
Comparing the Lace Types: Durability, Flexibility, Water Resistance & Usage
Now that we’ve looked at each lace type in detail, let’s do a side-by-side comparison. Each type of lace has its strengths and ideal uses. Below is a quick reference chart to see how they stack up in key categories:
| Lace Type | Durability | Flexibility | Water Resistance | Ideal Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American-Tanned Leather (USA Steerhide) | Very High: Thick, dense leather with exceptional tensile strength (originally made for sports equipment). Built to last years with proper care. | Medium: Stiff initially, softens with wear into a comfortable fit. Not as floppy as cotton, but molds to shape over time. | Moderate: Naturally infused with oils/wax from tanning, so it handles light moisture. Can stiffen if soaked; should be dried and conditioned after exposure. | Rugged boots and work boots where you need maximum toughness and a classic look. Great for heritage-style boots and those who want longevity. |
| Rawhide Leather (Alum-Tanned) | Extremely High: Perhaps the strongest of all – rated around 90+ lb pull strength in some cases. Very resistant to breakage. | Low: Very stiff out of the box; remains fairly firm even after break-in. Holds tight but not as easy to tie until worn in. | Low: Susceptible to water; stretches when wet, can become brittle when dried without conditioning. Needs care to prevent drying out. | Traditional work boots, moccasin boots, boat shoes (for the rustic aesthetic). Best in dry conditions or when ultimate strength is needed. |
| Chrome-Tanned Leather | High: Strong leather laces that handle everyday strain well (slightly less tensile strength than rawhide, but still far above cotton). | High: Supple and easy to tie from the start. Little break-in required; more user-friendly. | Moderate: Better water tolerance than rawhide – won’t drastically stiffen. Still leather, so avoid constant soaking. | General-purpose boots and shoes. Ideal when you want leather laces that are easier on the hands and come in various colors to match your style. |
| Italian Leather (Round Cord) | High: Made from premium full-grain leather. Durable for normal use, though not meant for heavy-duty abuse like rawhide. | Very High: Incredibly soft and flexible. Easiest of the leather types to tie and adjust. Feels broken-in on day one. | Moderate: Similar to other chrome-tanned leathers; water can darken or soften them temporarily. Keep them dry and conditioned for longevity. | Dress boots, luxury footwear, and casual shoes where you want a refined look. Great for upgrading the appearance of any boot with a quality lace. |
| Waxed Cotton | Medium: Good wear life due to wax strengthening (less strong than any leather or paracord). Will eventually fray with heavy use, but easy to replace. | Very High: Extremely flexible and easy to tighten. No break-in period at all. | Good: Wax coating provides water resistance and prevents immediate saturation. In heavy rain they’ll eventually get wet, but they dry faster than unwaxed laces. | All-around use – from work boots to dress shoes. Perfect for everyday boots, short hikes, or anytime you want convenience. Not for extreme conditions, but ideal for most regular wear. |
| Paracord (Nylon) | Very High: Virtually unbreakable under normal forces. Resistant to abrasion and wear; outlasts most other laces. | High: Soft and pliable; easy to tie, slight stretch. Can be a little slick, but holds well with a double knot. | Excellent: Nylon is rot-proof and doesn’t absorb much water. These laces laugh at rain, mud, and snow – they won’t weaken when wet. | Outdoor, work, and survival applications. Best for hiking boots, tactical boots, construction boots – any situation where you need a lace that won’t fail in harsh conditions. (Avoid use around open flames, due to melting risk.) |
Swapping out your boot laces is a small change that can make a big difference. The right laces will keep your boots secure through whatever you’re doing – whether that’s trudging through rain and mud on the job, trekking up a mountain, or just strolling downtown. They’ll also enhance the look of your boots and can even make the act of lacing up more enjoyable (there’s something satisfying about a sturdy lace gliding through the eyelets and locking in a perfect bow).
At Guarded Goods, we take laces as seriously as any other part of your boot setup. That’s why we offer high-quality American-tanned leather laces, heavy-duty rawhide and chrome leather options, refined Italian laces, trusty waxed cotton, and ultra-tough paracord laces. Each type has been chosen to meet the needs of boot enthusiasts and folks who simply demand more from their gear. By understanding the differences in material and construction, you can pick the lace that best matches your boots and your lifestyle.
Remember, even the best boots rely on their laces to perform. A little care in choosing and maintaining your laces goes a long way to ensure you won’t be left with a dangling boot when you least expect it. So go ahead and lace up with confidence – and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your boots are equipped with the right tools for the job, all the way down to the tips of the laces. Happy boot lacing, and see you on the trails (or the streets)!
