The Difference Between Waxed & Unwaxed Laces

When you're putting on your hockey skates, whether your laces are waxed or not can make a difference. There are people in both camps -- some love having waxed laces, while others wouldn't get near them. There are several factors to keep in mind when making the decision for yourself.

  1. Waxed: Easier to Tie

    • Waxed laces are easier to tie. The ends don't fray as quickly as they do on unwaxed laces, which makes them easier to keep lacing through the lace holes. An unwaxed lace will pull back more each time you thread it through a hole and tug than a waxed lace will.

    Waxed: Different Tensions

    • Some players like to have different parts of their lacing tighter than others. Because of its increased flexibility, waxed laces are easier to do this with, while unwaxed laces will slide to an even tension more quickly.

    Unwaxed: Grip

    • Waxed laces develop a greasy texture over time, and they can be slippery to grab and tie. So, over time, they can become actually more difficult to tie than their unwaxed counterparts.

    Unwaxed: Easier to Find

    • Not every skate or hockey specialty shop carries waxed skate laces. As a result, you can get in a bind if you need new laces and are insisting on waxed. Unwaxed laces are more available to keep on hand.