I love these laces - I threw away the laces before I even put them on! The shoes slide great and don't worry about the sole - these are full grip boat shoes with no hard spots. Unfortunately, some Sperrys have half traction and half slippery soles - that's good! They don't last that long - maybe 1/2 year before puncture occurs in the sole - but they have a good boat sole and the spandex will hold them up well. no laces. I've been ordering these for years and sometimes the same size hurts my toe and never relaxes so they get little or no use. They don't last long unless you use ShoeGloo or something similar to make the soles last longer. They don't last 6 months of regular use without a hole forming in the sole or something falling apart. They're a treat of sorts - when they fit, they look great and feel comfortable. In general, the Sperry brand is an inexpensive brand with a premium appearance. Unfortunately, they used to be a big brand. I would never recommend them, but I continue to wear them - I think partly because I know what not to buy from them (fake rubber soles that just have rubber marks on them, and mostly very slippery other surfaces).