My Ecco boots were great, except that the shoe laces were looking rough and too difficult to loosen.  I need a replacement and idea of paracord appealed to me.  What arrived in the mail was better than I expected the laces were steel tipped and tough as nails.  They have not frayed at all and work wonderfully.  The do slip a little, but a snug double knot, easily fixes that minor issue.  They also slip less as they break in with use.  You can't go wrong with these laces and I should know.  I have worn boots nearly every day for the last 20 years.