Riplaces
Riplaces is an American company based in Jacksonville, Florida, that manufactures a no-tie shoelace replacement system.[1] The product consists of individual elastic loops and fasteners designed to replace traditional shoelaces, allowing shoes to be converted into slip-ons.
The product gained notice in the professional triathlon community after it was used by three of the top ten finishers at the 2016 Ironman World Championship.[2] The company has also partnered with running power meter manufacturer Stryd on customized products.
History
Riplaces was founded in Jacksonville, Florida, by David Nicholson and Karen Nicholson. David, a former electrical engineer, developed the concept after getting locked out of his house because he could not untie the knotted laces on his work shoes.[3] The initial idea was based on a system of bungee cords and hooks. Early prototypes were made with household items before the company developed an injection-molded version. The name "Riplaces" is a portmanteau of "Rest in Peace Laces."[4]
Product
The Riplaces system uses two components: a set of injection-molded fasteners (cores) and elastic bands (bungees) of varying lengths. Users thread a bungee through two eyelets and secure it over a core, allowing the tension for each eyelet pair to be adjusted independently.[5] The fasteners are made of nylon or polycarbonate.[6] The system is sold with different fastener shapes and in numerous color combinations.
Use in sports
Triathlon
At the 2016 Ironman World Championship, three of the top ten finishing athletes used Riplaces. This usage in professional competition brought attention to the brand within the triathlon community.[7]
Stryd partnership
Riplaces entered a partnership with Stryd, a company that produces wearable running power meters. The collaboration was intended to provide athletes with customized lacing options. Stryd co-founder Angus Nelson said the goal was to provide "free speed" through improved footwear setup.[8]
Reception
The product has been reviewed by running and triathlon-focused publications. A review on the website Believe in the Run described the system as highly customizable but noted that installation was more time-consuming than with traditional laces.[9]
References
- ↑ "About Us". Riplaces. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ "Stryd and Riplaces Partner to Create Custom Laces for Triathletes". Active Gear Review. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ "Riplaces will change your everyday life". News4JAX. 2015-07-22. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ "Riplaces will change your everyday life". News4JAX. 2015-07-22. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ "About Us". Riplaces. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ "Riplaces Review". Believe in the Run. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ "Stryd and Riplaces Partner to Create Custom Laces for Triathletes". Active Gear Review. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ "Stryd and Riplaces Partner to Create Custom Laces for Triathletes". Active Gear Review. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ↑ "Riplaces Review". Believe in the Run. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
External links
This article "Riplaces" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Riplaces. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
