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Nike Introduces Self-Lacing Sneakers in a New Context

As a former basketball player, I can attest to the discomfort that comes along with running up and down the court in sneakers that fit you when you purchased them in store but seemingly change size and shape every time you pivot. As a result of this natural foot expansion due to quick movement and heat, my feet and ankles are in a state of permanent distress (even 6 years after I has to stop playing). I’m not alone when it comes to this specific cause of discomfort, which is why I’m so curious about Nike’s new Adapt BB basketball sneaker, which incorporates Nike’s self-lacing technology in a realistic context instead of Back to the Future or the more recent lifestyle edition HyperAdapts.

The Nike Adapt BB’s upper is made from alternating Flyknit and QuadFit mesh, and the midsole features Nike’s cushion foam, which is no stranger to Nike’s basketball sneakers. The sneakers offer a custom, ever-changing fit due to their adaptive lacing—users simply place their foot inside the sneaker and let a motor and gear train (Remember this? Just a theory…) do the rest. Basically, the system senses the level of tension needed for the foot at any given moment and adjusts accordingly. 

A look inside the tech of the Nike Adapt BBs

“We picked basketball as the first sport for Nike Adapt intentionally because of the demands that athletes put on their shoes. During a normal basketball game the athlete’s foot changes, and the ability to quickly change your fit by loosening your shoe to increase blood flow and then tighten again for performance is a key element that we believe will improve the athlete’s experience.” —Eric Avar, Nike VP Creative Director of Innovation

A main addition that sets the Adapt BBs apart from previous self-lacing sneakers is their app connectivity. In addition to physically adjusting the fit of the laces, users have the option of using the Nike Adapt app to set their fit preferences. Wearers will be able to loosen the shoe before tightening it up as they re-enter a game and in the future, they will even be able to assign a different tightness level for warm-ups and cool-downs.

A customized fit is awesome, but my main concern is that basketball sneakers usually crap out after just one season, often even less. So, will players need to purchase new sneakers including the tech that often, or will the tech be removable so that players only need to re-purchase the sneaker’s shell? Will the firmware updates carry over if you need to get a new pair? 

Either way, if you’ve ever imagined a world in which sneakers need firmware updates, battery replacements, etc., just have comfort in knowing that vision is around the corner. After attending CES and seeing everything from air fresheners to purses become tech enabled, it’s only fitting that our sneakers are next.

FitAdapt technology will be available in the Nike Adapt BB beginning in February.