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- Sep 19, 2012
Disclaimer: If you don't give a damn about stuff like this and don't mind if your laces aren't the same (or damn close) to the ones that originally came with the shoes, this post is NOT for you. Do not, I repeat, do not waste your time here. Ok, now that I've warned you, hopefully you wont leave some asinine comment like "Who gives a damn about stuff like this?!?" or "I don't mind if my laces aren't the same (or damn close) to the ones that originally came with the shoes!!!". Because that would be ridiculous.
(LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!)
If you're like me, and you wear your J's, chances are you've gotten the laces dirty at some point, either from spilling coffee/soda/bong water on them accidentally, or just from normal wear (read: pollution) giving the laces a "LA Smog"-type tint. Changing your laces out with new ones, while cheap to do, can drastically change the appearance of your kicks.
That being said, I've been on a bit of a journey the last few months, searching online and in-store for the perfect set of replacement laces. You see, Jordan Brand doesn't sell "Official Laces" for their Retro Models, nor is it common knowledge who supplies their laces. Laces are not like men in the eyes of our Founding Fathers (not counting African Americans); they were NOT created equal.
I've purchased laces from Finish Line, Walgreens, and various online retailers, only to find the laces that I'd ordered were not the same as the laces I was trying to replace. By "same", I mean that the weave of the cotton was different and/or the color was slightly off, giving the shoes a slightly different look when re-laced. Most people probably wouldn't care, and would just go on about their day; I, unfortunately, am not "most people".
If I am able to, I'd like to get as close as possible to the original materials used, and that goes for anything I am a collector/fan of. If I were assembling a Nintendo Entertainment System, I would want to use the EXACT parts used in the original, down to the screws (if it was possible to find out which screw manufacturer they used). Some (read: most) would call this obsessive, others crazy. Even more would say I have too much time on my hands, and need to find a better way of utilizing my free time. But me? I call this "paying attention to details", and I don't view it as a flaw, but as a positive.
Whether you're planning on re-selling your J's at some point or just someone who wants things to be how they originally were, my hopes are that you will appreciate this post, and be thankful that I have found that coveted source of OG-quality laces, something I've spent months (ok, more like hours/minutes... but it did take several months for me to find them!) looking for. Now, I'm sure there are other sources that sell laces that are identical to these, but to date, I haven't found anyone giving a definitive answer as to where, nor posting visual proof that said source had the bonafide goods . That, my friends, is why I decided to write this (fairly long-winded) post.
Included in the pic are my CDP 5s. The shoelace that I am holding is from the pack I recently purchased. As you can see from the up-close pic, both the weave and the color is identical. The laces on the CDP 5s are the same laces used on every retro model from 1 to 6 (even the laces from the 7s use the same weave, though they have the metal tips).
The link:
Amazon product ASIN B009OWLPM2 (Make sure to order the 51" laces if they're for mids; not sure how far the smaller size fits). $7.00 for a pack of 5 sets of laces (with standard shipping, it breaks down to about $12.50). If anyone knows a cheaper place to find these laces, please post that info! Sharing is caring.
So there; I found them. Hopefully this saves you the time and money I wasted in my quest for the perfect laces. Peace!
UPDATE: So, after getting my '88 3s a week or so ago, I immediately saved the OG laces in a ziplock with the rest of the stuff that came with the shoes (card, hangtag, tissue paper). Not sure why I did it, but anyways... The replacement laces were about 2 inches longer than the stock laces in my Size 11s. Just thought I'd share that with y'all. Here's a pic of the laces side-by-side, as well as a close-up, to show that they're identical (in case u needed more proof).
- Can you tell which ones are the "stock" laces?
- How about now? No? Didn't think so. They're the left laces, the right ones are the replacements.
I just bought 2 more packs, so I think I'm good for a minute on the white joints. I'll pick up a couple black packs too, and let y'all know if there's any difference. My only fear is that this seller will suddenly stop selling this product, which is why I'm considering buying even more packs... so get 'em while you can! lol.
Lastly, one negative is the laces come bunched together in one package, all 10 laces bundled together...
(this is an unopened package - nevermind the Jason Markk cleaner, which happens to be the best in the biz - notice the bunched together, "no rhyme or reason" set-up Bluecell decided to go with... don't ask what that blue thing is supposed to do, either, for I have no clue)
...so naturally, some of the laces have creases in them, which is annoying. I imagine you can iron them out if its really an issue for you, but one way to help prevent creasing (esp if you're buying a few packs to keep on deck that might sit for a while) is to take the laces out immediately and separate them by pairs, rolling them up so they aren't bunched up and liable to get creased. Just some extra thoughts, hope this helps you guys in your quest to stay clean (not "OCD" clean... I'm talking "Andre 3000" clean). Peace
UPDATE 2/24/13: Maybe or maybe not due to this posting, the site with the laces for the 1s-6s has sold out of White and Black laces. I'll keep checking for whether they restock, and will post that info up here. Part of me wishes I didn't post that info and just kept it to myself, but that's the selfish part that exists in all men. Thankfully, it was only a tiny, inconsequential part. I'm glad I've been able to help y'all cop some laces (hopefully some of y'all were able to get some before they sold out). If I find any places with the same quality laces, I'll be sure to post. If you guys find anything, don't be greedy, share that info! Peace.
UPDATE'S UPDATE 2/24/13: So, after much looking on Amazon and the web (ok, not much, but a good twenty mins), I've come to the conclusion that I will probably not find another deal nearly as good as the first one. Most places sell one set at a time, for around $2 to 3. Let's just hope someone finds another connect with the same quality laces at a similar price as the original ones I posted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[h1]THE LINKS[/h1][h1]Laces For 1s - 6s: [/h1]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OWLPM2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01
[color= rgb(255, 255, 255)] (Make sure to order the 51" laces if they're for mids; not sure how far the smaller size fits). $7.00 for a pack of 5 sets of laces (with standard shipping, it breaks down to about $12.50). - [/color]
UPDATE: AS OF4/25/13 4/18/13, THE LACES FOR THE 1s - 6s ARE BACK IN STOCK (WHITE ONLY)!!! GET EM WHILE YOU CAN, FOLKS! (props to @chochocho11 for the update info)
UPDATE: FINALLY, NIKE HAS LISTENED. SHOELACES GALORE ON NIKESTORE. Here's the link for the 54" whites:
http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-700118/pgid-797170
[h1]Laces for Your 11s: [/h1]
http://www.fullylaced.com/Shoelaces_c_19-1-4.html (the first page has the Bred laces, the laces for the other 11s are on the last page, after all the SB laces. Shout out to @ScottyB for the info.). $8.50 for a set of laces (ouch!), 55" long. I've never personally ordered from them, but I've heard their laces are on point. Be advised that the tips do say "Fully Laced" on them, so if that's a problem, these aren't for you...
(LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!)
If you're like me, and you wear your J's, chances are you've gotten the laces dirty at some point, either from spilling coffee/soda/bong water on them accidentally, or just from normal wear (read: pollution) giving the laces a "LA Smog"-type tint. Changing your laces out with new ones, while cheap to do, can drastically change the appearance of your kicks.
That being said, I've been on a bit of a journey the last few months, searching online and in-store for the perfect set of replacement laces. You see, Jordan Brand doesn't sell "Official Laces" for their Retro Models, nor is it common knowledge who supplies their laces. Laces are not like men in the eyes of our Founding Fathers (not counting African Americans); they were NOT created equal.
I've purchased laces from Finish Line, Walgreens, and various online retailers, only to find the laces that I'd ordered were not the same as the laces I was trying to replace. By "same", I mean that the weave of the cotton was different and/or the color was slightly off, giving the shoes a slightly different look when re-laced. Most people probably wouldn't care, and would just go on about their day; I, unfortunately, am not "most people".
If I am able to, I'd like to get as close as possible to the original materials used, and that goes for anything I am a collector/fan of. If I were assembling a Nintendo Entertainment System, I would want to use the EXACT parts used in the original, down to the screws (if it was possible to find out which screw manufacturer they used). Some (read: most) would call this obsessive, others crazy. Even more would say I have too much time on my hands, and need to find a better way of utilizing my free time. But me? I call this "paying attention to details", and I don't view it as a flaw, but as a positive.
Whether you're planning on re-selling your J's at some point or just someone who wants things to be how they originally were, my hopes are that you will appreciate this post, and be thankful that I have found that coveted source of OG-quality laces, something I've spent months (ok, more like hours/minutes... but it did take several months for me to find them!) looking for. Now, I'm sure there are other sources that sell laces that are identical to these, but to date, I haven't found anyone giving a definitive answer as to where, nor posting visual proof that said source had the bonafide goods . That, my friends, is why I decided to write this (fairly long-winded) post.
Included in the pic are my CDP 5s. The shoelace that I am holding is from the pack I recently purchased. As you can see from the up-close pic, both the weave and the color is identical. The laces on the CDP 5s are the same laces used on every retro model from 1 to 6 (even the laces from the 7s use the same weave, though they have the metal tips).
The link:
Amazon product ASIN B009OWLPM2 (Make sure to order the 51" laces if they're for mids; not sure how far the smaller size fits). $7.00 for a pack of 5 sets of laces (with standard shipping, it breaks down to about $12.50). If anyone knows a cheaper place to find these laces, please post that info! Sharing is caring.
So there; I found them. Hopefully this saves you the time and money I wasted in my quest for the perfect laces. Peace!
UPDATE: So, after getting my '88 3s a week or so ago, I immediately saved the OG laces in a ziplock with the rest of the stuff that came with the shoes (card, hangtag, tissue paper). Not sure why I did it, but anyways... The replacement laces were about 2 inches longer than the stock laces in my Size 11s. Just thought I'd share that with y'all. Here's a pic of the laces side-by-side, as well as a close-up, to show that they're identical (in case u needed more proof).
- Can you tell which ones are the "stock" laces?
- How about now? No? Didn't think so. They're the left laces, the right ones are the replacements.
I just bought 2 more packs, so I think I'm good for a minute on the white joints. I'll pick up a couple black packs too, and let y'all know if there's any difference. My only fear is that this seller will suddenly stop selling this product, which is why I'm considering buying even more packs... so get 'em while you can! lol.
Lastly, one negative is the laces come bunched together in one package, all 10 laces bundled together...
(this is an unopened package - nevermind the Jason Markk cleaner, which happens to be the best in the biz - notice the bunched together, "no rhyme or reason" set-up Bluecell decided to go with... don't ask what that blue thing is supposed to do, either, for I have no clue)
...so naturally, some of the laces have creases in them, which is annoying. I imagine you can iron them out if its really an issue for you, but one way to help prevent creasing (esp if you're buying a few packs to keep on deck that might sit for a while) is to take the laces out immediately and separate them by pairs, rolling them up so they aren't bunched up and liable to get creased. Just some extra thoughts, hope this helps you guys in your quest to stay clean (not "OCD" clean... I'm talking "Andre 3000" clean). Peace
UPDATE 2/24/13: Maybe or maybe not due to this posting, the site with the laces for the 1s-6s has sold out of White and Black laces. I'll keep checking for whether they restock, and will post that info up here. Part of me wishes I didn't post that info and just kept it to myself, but that's the selfish part that exists in all men. Thankfully, it was only a tiny, inconsequential part. I'm glad I've been able to help y'all cop some laces (hopefully some of y'all were able to get some before they sold out). If I find any places with the same quality laces, I'll be sure to post. If you guys find anything, don't be greedy, share that info! Peace.
UPDATE'S UPDATE 2/24/13: So, after much looking on Amazon and the web (ok, not much, but a good twenty mins), I've come to the conclusion that I will probably not find another deal nearly as good as the first one. Most places sell one set at a time, for around $2 to 3. Let's just hope someone finds another connect with the same quality laces at a similar price as the original ones I posted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[h1]THE LINKS[/h1][h1]Laces For 1s - 6s: [/h1]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OWLPM2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01
UPDATE: AS OF
UPDATE: FINALLY, NIKE HAS LISTENED. SHOELACES GALORE ON NIKESTORE. Here's the link for the 54" whites:
http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-700118/pgid-797170
[h1]Laces for Your 11s: [/h1]
http://www.fullylaced.com/Shoelaces_c_19-1-4.html (the first page has the Bred laces, the laces for the other 11s are on the last page, after all the SB laces. Shout out to @ScottyB for the info.). $8.50 for a set of laces (ouch!), 55" long. I've never personally ordered from them, but I've heard their laces are on point. Be advised that the tips do say "Fully Laced" on them, so if that's a problem, these aren't for you...
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