The mounting of the eyelets for these must have been manufactured incorrectly. The part of each metal eyelet that faces inward towards the center tapers into a very narrow gap with sharp metal edges. This both prevents pulling the laces tighter, since they get pinched, and quickly wears out the laces due to the razor-sharp edges. My laces were stripped of the outer covers within a month. My wife has a pair of Nevados with a different type of eyelet that works fine, since the eyelet seems to be mounted the opposite way, with the wide and smooth part facing inward.