Aglets

Aglets are small pieces of plastic or metal that are affixed to the ends of laces to prevent fraying. In commercial laces, aglets are applied by a machine designed expressly for the purpose. Such aglets usually last for the life of the lace, although it may be necessary to replace the aglets in some cases.

Third-party aglets are usually makeshift applications. One common technique is to use heat shrink tubing (available in electronics supply stores) cut to appropriate sizes and exposed to flame to shrink the aglets around the lace end. Another technique is to use black electrical tape and wrap the ends of the laces. In all cases, care must be taken to ensure that the lace ends remain narrow enough to fit through the eyelets of the boots being laced.