Abstract: A detachable lace tightening system for existing footwear is disclosed. The footwear includes a boot having first and second opposing sides with a plurality of eyelets and a tongue arranged between the opposing sides. The system includes a rotatable spool detachably secured to the tongue and a tightening control knob. A cable is insertable into the eyelets such that the first and second ends of the cable extend outwardly from the eyelets at the upper end of the footwear, the ends being removably secured to the spool such that rotation of the control knob in a first direction winds the cable around the spool placing the cable in tension and pulling the opposing sides together. A releasable lock prevents rotation of the spool in a second direction. Release of the lock permits the spool to rotate in the second direction releasing the tension thereby allowing removal of the footwear.

Abstract: A detachable lace tightening system for existing footwear, said footwear including a boot having first and second opposing sides configured to fit around a foot, a plurality of eyelet members are positioned on the opposing sides from a lower end to an upper end, a footwear tongue extending from boot between the opposing sides, the system comprising: a rotatable spool detachably secured to the tongue of the footwear, a braided nylon cable insertable into the guide members having a first end and a second end; the first and second ends extend outwardly from the guide members at the upper end of the opposing sides and the first and second ends are removably secured with respect to the rotatable spool; a tightening control knob upon said spool for winding the cable around the spool to place tension on the cable in a first direction, thereby pulling opposing sides of the footwear towards each other; and a releasable lock provided for preventing rotation of the spool in the second direction whereby releasing the loc