Ever since I became a tri-geek I've exchange all my standard running shoe laces for Yankz. Other than the obvious ease of slipping into your shoes in T2, Yankz also proved to be useful to keep my precious feet comfortable on long runs as they tend to swell. There are however two issues I have with Yankz. First, the little clippie dealies tend to unclip. Perhaps this is just my type-A detailed nature to actually want the laces to stay put, but the reality of it is the clip does absolutely nothing other than keep the excess "loop" strapped down. The second issue is while the give in the laces is nice, sometimes I'd prefer the give a little lower on my foot and inevitably the extra give will always trend toward the top of your foot as that is where there is the most strain on the laces. I have fairly weak ankles and when running in soft sandor off road on lumpy footing I had a tendency to twist my ankles. 

Finishline-Multisport.com recently gave me the opportunity to try Xtenex Lacing Systems, a new elastic lace that has a unique knot like bulge in even intervals with the idea that you can "customize" the laces to be looser or tighter in specific locations along the top of the foot. My initial impression was mixed. First, that's a great idea! Second, dang those laces are thick and bulky. In fact, they're so bulky I actually needed some man power to actually get them in the very top reinforced loop hole. The only way they're going to be removed is with a pair of scissors. And I have to say, I think the "look" of these will need to grow on me. They look a bit like the extra wide laces guys used to wear with their sketchers when I was in high school.

But, once they're in and you get used to the different look, it's been all great! Using the laces during high intensity brick intervals on grass has proved that they are 1) fast to get into 2) provide enough support 3) easy to adjust mid run. I even got a chance to try racing in them when dangerous surf turned a triathlon into a beach run duathlon. I threw my trainers (with Xtenex) on for the first run and saved my race flats for the post bike run. I figured this way if my trainers filled up with sand I would not be stuck with them for the rest of the race. As it so happens, running in soft sand is anything but stable, so I tightened the laces by one knot and voila! Nice stable running shoes even with elastic laces in deep sand! 

The key with these laces is the adjustability. It takes a bit longer to lace them up, but the customized give from eyelet to eyelet is unparalleled. With that said, plan on buying a new pair for each of your shoes, because if it's not for the inability to actually remove them, it will be your unwillingness to give them up for any other lace on the market.

To learn more about these laces log onto www.xtenex.com

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