Product Review – Xtenex Laces

I was originally selected on slowtwich.com to test and review Xtenex Laces.  I was pumped to be picked, it felt like I won the lottery.  I was given three different pair to try.  The x200s, x300 and x400s.  In the past I had used Yanks and Quick Laces so I had something to compare to.

On their website www.xtenex.com they have a Tips section about how to lace your shoes.  I must have missed these tips because at first because getting these laces in was major pain in the ass.  And then I realized that it was advised to put your shoe on and stretch the lace upon install.  I then was amazed at the simplicity and the ability to adjust each knot to create the perfect custom fit.

The x400s that I received were quite thick, but I was able to lace them though my trail runners.  Due to the size of the elastic “bunches”(knots) and the thickness of the laces themselves, these babies weren’t going anywhere!  Now after months of running in all sorts of conditions, these have worked out perfectly.  You could easily get by with less than the x400s for running shoes, but these would be perfect for my hiking boots or winter snow boots!  Slip on, slip off.  No adjustment needed!

 

I threw a pair of the x200s in my Brooks Launch as my choice for Ironman Lake Placid this year.  The website doesn’t recommend the x200s for men’s running shoes due to the thinness of the laces and knots, but I was looking for a minimalist lace that would get the job done.  They laced incredibly easily, so much so that I was a little worried about slippage late in the marathon when my feet normally start to swell and are soaked.  Nope, no issues, work out perfectly.  Held my foot nice and firm and the elastic allowed for a little give late in the race when my feet started to swell.

 

 

 The final pair, the x300, I threw in my Brooks Ghost trainers.  I’d say the x300s are the everyday, go-to lace (and that’s what the website recommends, duh!) Thick enough to be durable but not overkill for a pair of running shoes (like the x400s)

Brooks Launch, Brooks Ghost, Adidas Kanadia TR

Long story short, the three pairs I was sent, I still use.  They’re durable enough to make it 500+miles on a pair of trainers and I’ve even removed them and laced them up in my new shoe purchases!  Granted, I have ordered a few new pair to color coordinate with my shoes (I’m a dork), these are among my favorite triathlon accessory that usually receives little thought.

If you're looking for a nice little product get you out of T2 and on to that run course, the Xtenex laces will be an excellent addition to anyone's tri gear collection!  Give ‘em a try!  You won’t be sorry!