Lace-up cycling shoes have made a real comeback, especially in gravel and lifestyle categories. Their biggest advantage is fit customization — laces let you adjust tension independently at every eyelet, conforming to your foot shape better than any dial system. If you have a wide forefoot, narrow heel, or any asymmetry, laces can be surprisingly comfortable. They're also lightweight, simple, and never need replacement parts.
The trade-off is convenience. You can't adjust laces while riding, so what you cinch up at the start is what you're stuck with. They're also slower on and off compared to a quick BOA release. The real safety concern is loose ends catching in your drivetrain — always tuck them under a strap or into the shoe's lace garage if it has one.
Laces shine for gravel riding, casual road rides, and commuting where on-the-fly adjustment matters less. For racing or long days where foot swelling demands mid-ride tweaks, a dial system is more practical.