Are buckles better than laces?
If you’re looking to buy skates nowadays, you’ll notice a wide variety of support systems: laces only, laces with one buckle, one buckle (rear-entry style), two buckles, three buckles, or maybe even a multitude of straps like in K2 skates. Hockey skates are usually laces only. 5-wheelers come in various types: laces only, lace and one buckle, or multiple buckles (typically recreational 5-wheelers). The issue of buckles vs. laces is still a fairly often debated subject, and the bottom line is whatever works for you. Anyway, here are some good and bad points of each support system (recreational skates only). Buckles: • PROs • Faster to put on. • More durable. • Adjustable on the fly. • Allows for vented shells. • Maintain their hold, no loosening. • Possible to adjust support in separate areas. • CONs • More expensive (in general). • Can cause too much pressure on parts of the foot. Laces: • PROs • Cheaper (in general) • Much less prone to point-loading pressure on specific spots, pressu
