Kerry wrote on Aug 10^th, 2010 at 8:37pm:

I just ordered 20 of them from Mil-Spec Monkey.  That makes the unit price $0.45, but you can buy a single for $.65.

Shipping via USPS was $2.00

BTW:  Why did I buy so many ... Hey, not only am I going to add them to my boot laces, I'm going to give them a try as quick line tensioners for my tent and tarp.  (I'll report back on whether or not this is a good use for them).

dd

DentonDoc wrote on Aug 18^th, 2010 at 5:26pm:


dd, be sure to give a report on whether they worked as boot laces. They look just like the ones I bought , but I believe the plastic might be different
Mine hold fast without any knots behind the cord-lock. If yours don't, then they're not the same. I hope they are, because the price you paid can't be beat. I understand there's always a retail price difference, but Brigade Quarter Masters is on the of the largest outfits of its type. I can't believe they'd mark their version up so much, but you never know.

Just a thought on the guy line tensioner idea. I've tried different ways over they years. I had the tensioner's that are slightly curved with a hole on each end. Worked well, except for one big weakness. Unless you wound up each guy-line before stuffing tarp/tent fly in bag, I always ended up with a tangled mess when I pulled it out.

I don't like to take the time to fold or roll fly, I just stuff it in bag. I've found that rather than using guy-line devices, a quick truckers hitch was the way too go. Works around any anchoring object, gives you a little mechanical advantage, and is easily adjusted.

solotripper wrote on Aug 18^th, 2010 at 7:07pm:

I used the the product on my September canoe trip.  I did some longish portages, a few serious bog walks and a couple of plunges in to waist deep swamp.  Over the two weeks of use, the boot laces remained continually snug.  On a previous trip with the same boots, single knots didn't generally last a day without becoming untied ... even double knots came loose once or twice.

I've also walked these tensioners on my hiking boots.  No tension failures to report in the first 200 miles of use.

EXCELLENT tip ST!  Thanks.

dd

Quote:


After years of double tie-ing outdoor/workout footwear with the stand-by double knots that still came undone at the most inopportune times and still left lace loops that you could snag and fall with, these just made so much sense, I had to try them.

I tried the simple cord-locks but they didn't do the job, not sturdy enough and didn't have the bite. When I saw they were combat proven, I knew the idea was valid.

I'm glad you found a cheaper price.
I think anyone that tries them, will be impressed.

I have the Brigade ones as well and they work fine.
I have the regular type round boot laces as well?
Are you double clicking them once you have them adjusted?
I had a problem at first because when I squeezed them open with one hand and adjusted the lace with the other, they came loose too.

I found that after you adjust, you need to make sure the little locking tab is visible? That might require a double click depending on how thick your laces are?

I just checked them on my Teva water shoes to make sure.
If you pull real hard they'll move, but it takes considerable effort.
If they can withstand the rigors of combat, they should hold up on a canoe trip I would think.