When out in the wilderness, it can be a good idea to take along a backup fire-maker, just in case your matches get damp or rubbing sticks gets you nowhere. With this in mind, Survival Laces include a small fire starting kit, and some fishing line too, just in case you ever need them.
The basic idea behind Survival Laces is simple, and not really new (they're a little similar to the Substratum hiking boots, for example). The laces are made from paracord and comprise seven strands of nylon each, with a strand of fishline stashed inside, too. Each pair also includes a 10 cm (4 in) strand of waterproof tinder and a 2.5 cm (1 in) Ferrocerium rod.
You make a fire by first cutting off the steel aglet at the end of the lace and fishing out the length of red tinder. Then, you'll need a sharp edge like a knife to give it some volume, and finally, you get the fire going by scraping the Ferrocerium rod with some steel to make sparks and ignite the tinder.
You've still got the laces, so your boots won't be falling off, though it's not clear how safe they are from accidental fire should you drop a cigarette butt on them or something ...
Survival Laces come in three different lengths: 121 cm (48 in), 172 cm (68 in), and 213 cm (84 in), and two standard colors: Black, and Olive Drab. An additional limited edition Red version is also available, and this includes a length of tinder all the way through the laces but no fishline.
The laces are currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. As of writing, a minimum pledge of US$12 is required to hopefully snag a pair of laces. Assuming all goes to plan, delivery is scheduled for June, 2015.
Have a look at the pitch video below to see what's on offer.
Source: Kickstarter
Without the knife, you now have lots of room to carry a quality lighter, & waterproof matches.
Survival is more than being able to start a fire, air, water, food, shelter, rank at the top of the list of things to be concerned with.
I also do not want a first starter that I can't test. Cut off my aglets!!? No way.