Sportiva solution strap longevity tips

Love my sportiva solutions but hate the cost of fixing straps which seem to last just a bit longer than a resole.

After two way shipping and a resole and a pair of straps it’s almost the cost of a new pair on sale.

Any tips to maximize the longevity of the straps?

Any good beta on protecting or reinforcing?

Nail polish coating the straps and the hole, also really avoid over tightening, be gentle and intentional with your tightening, like you would be with regular laces

i always smear some shoe goo on my katana velcros. i have had maybe 15 pairs and haven't had any straps break.

Stop dragging your feet or blame the shoes. Get stronger and more precise footwork. 

rock climbing wrote:

Stop dragging your feet or blame the shoes. Get stronger and more precise footwork. 

This doesn't have an impact on the laces.

I've used this method to great success. 

Leave them unstrapped for the warmups.  Somehow I haven’t broken the strap on my last few pair, maybe they are better than they used to be? The last redesign I was aware of was maybe 4-5 years ago but that didn’t seem to fix the problem unless I got some old stock solutions after that 

John Ryan wrote:

Leave them unstrapped for the warmups.  Somehow I haven’t broken the strap on my last few pair, maybe they are better than they used to be? The last redesign I was aware of was maybe 4-5 years ago but that didn’t seem to fix the problem unless I got some old stock solutions after that 

The most recent redesign I think switched to tubular webbing so much more durable and I think the metal rivet tends to get less sharp edges. 

https://youtu.be/sNn3tVvDoW0?si=f-MOEwewLxpfP5oM

This is a video I uploaded last year. Haven’t had a lace break on me since doing this trick. 

Love the tape method. I’ll have to give that a try. 

wisam wrote:

Love my sportiva solutions but hate the cost of fixing straps which seem to last just a bit longer than a resole.

After two way shipping and a resole and a pair of straps it’s almost the cost of a new pair on sale.

Any tips to maximize the longevity of the straps?

Any good beta on protecting or reinforcing?

I've been able to get 2 resoles out of mine (and they need another) by just not cranking down on the strap when I tighten it. I just make sure the sock part is pulled up all the way and then I pull out and fold over without putting much tension on the strap or buckle. I think those who are breaking their straps try and crank it down to make the fit better but there's no need since most of the fitment comes from the rubber part of the shoe. 

+1 for the tape method. I found that the nylon ripstop clothing repair tape works really well as the surface is slightly slick, so less friction.

Xan C wrote:

+1 for the tape method. I found that the nylon ripstop clothing repair tape works really well as the surface is slightly slick, so less friction.

I just use fabric climbing tape, meuller euro grip tape is what I always have on hand. Anything will work though, it just needs some armor and its good to go