Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

Full disclosure: I’m not a sneakerhead. I don’t casually wear shoes that cost more than a typical trip to the grocery store. But somehow, the new Nike Adapt BBs were an exception. And wow, they’re interesting.

The whole story started around October 2015, also known as when they travelled through time to the popular movie Back to the Future. Nike, in honor of the timing, released a limited run of functional Nike Mag sneakers, the self-lacing ones featured in the film. Flash forward a few months, and Nike now has released its first, consumer-oriented and publicly available version, the Nike Adapt BB.

These shoes are quite a step up from the ones released in 2015. Now, the shoes feature Nike’s new FitAdapt technology, which instead of focusing on laces, instead secures the shoe by tightening the material around the wearer’s foot. It’s an interesting concept, and I put it to the test. Here’s my findings:

The Good

The Adapt BBs are extremely comfortable. From when a user first puts them on,

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024
Eli Weitzman (’20) The Nike Adapt BBs don’t totally fit with my style…

an overall snug fit starts to take over, which is typical in basketball shoes. However, the shoes have other functions that are quite interesting. The shoes, once tightened to a comfortable level, fit perfectly, and provide a satisfying fit. And if the shoes feel too tight at one point or another, all you must do is simply press a button to release them.

Another nice feature is the software support. Nike has promised firmware updates to your shoes (a quite absurd, but reasonable thought) to help them run smoothly. This ensures continual development of this new technology, and as well shows potential growth for the future of this concept.

The Bad

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024
Eli Weitzman (’20) An overhead view of the shoes.

While these shoes most definitely are a wonderful concept, that’s all they are: a concept. Shoes like these have potential to move forward, but at the same time, they cause their own problems. Exclusivity, for one. The 2015 concepts were extremely limited, and the Adapt BBs are no different in this area. An initial run of these shoes completely sold out on day one, and Nike has no plans of releasing or making any more.

In addition, another issue for these shoes is the price. They cost $350. That’s a lot of money, especially for a pair of shoes that you’ll eventually outgrow. And I wouldn’t consider selling these, at least from my perspective, since I personally find that trade distasteful, and they most likely won’t sell if you’ve worn them. I didn’t even spend $350. Thankfully, my brother did instead (though I still disapprove) and I had the opportunity to try them.

Conclusion

Overall, the Adapt BBs are great shoes. They do their main job quite well: protect the wearer’s feet. But they still face the same issue as all early electronic concepts. They aren’t very accessible, and they cost a bit too much. Hopefully, future versions of these shoes will be able to be more available for all, and less of a limited concept. In the meantime, these shoes are what we’ve got, and they’re good for what they’re worth.

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

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An honest review on Nikes first ever auto-lacing Air Max which gives a futuristic spin on a classic, welcome to the future of sneakers

By: Christopher Claxton

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

Nike “Motherboard” Adapt Auto Max with the control candy strobe light effect. Credit: Christopher Claxton

Many sneakerheads know March 26th is Nike’s Air Max Day, a day to celebrate hundreds of Air Max sneakers released since the line originated. 2020 has made the Air Max line 33 years old and we all knew a new sneaker model was coming.

There I was, eleven days into quarantine, sitting bored in my room and that’s when the Nike Adapt Auto Max shock dropped on the Nike SNKRS app for a retail price of $400USD. At 12:11 p.m. I received the “Got ‘Em” screen confirming my purchase. That was the most exciting thing that happened to me that day.

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

A Screenshot of my phone screen on May 26th when my purchase was confirmed. Credit: Christopher Claxton

Nike’s sportswear released their first self-lacing sneakers in 2016 with their HyperAdapt that retailed for a hefty $720. In 2016 Nike released the Nike Adapt BB, the first smart performance basketball sneaker for $350. The company has spent decades trying to make the auto-lacing shoes a reality since Michael J. Fox wore a pair of Nike Air Mag’s in the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II.

The Nike Auto Max is the latest in self-lacing tech, designers took inspiration from the Air Max 90 and the highly coveted Nike Air Mag to create this chunky yet sleek shoe. It’s powered through Nike Adapt, a lacing system that adjusts to the shape of your foot as soon as you slide into the sneaker.

You connect each sneaker to the Nike Adapt App through Bluetooth connectivity so you can tighten and loosen your shoes with your phone, Apple Watch, or even your voice through Siri. On the app you can check battery life, change the colors of the lights, and create personalized commands to control the sneakers.

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

Screenshot of the Nike Adapt app when you open it. Credit: Christopher Claxton

The app actually works pretty well; I downloaded it straight from the Apple App Store, logged into my Nike account and searched for nearby Nike Adapt sneakers. You connect to each sneaker individually and not as a pair. Once connected I set up my sneakers and was ready to go. The only issue I had with the app were on rare occasions where I would open it up to alter the tightness of the shoe and the sneakers wouldn’t be connected, I would have to wait a few seconds for the app to reconnect with the shoes and then continue my alterations.

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

Nike Auto Adapts charging on the included charging pad. Credit: Christopher Claxton

Charging is a breeze. The sneakers come with a wireless charging pad so all you need to do is place the sneakers on the pad and they will begin to charge. You know they’re charging once the pulsing charging light glows but; if the shoe is dead, no light will glow until it gets enough battery life. If the battery dies while they’re on your feet you can still unlace them. There’s always enough power to take them off.

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

Top left – 12 basic colors to choose from. Bottom left- 12 combinations of 2 colors to choose for lighting effects. Right- Light effects and the durations. Credit: Christopher Claxton

Light customization is simple, there’s 12 colors to choose from and 12 color combinations to pair with an effect. You can have the color glow only when pressing the buttons or you can have them on with pulsing or static patterns. You can assign colors to presets and custom modes in the ‘Your Modes’ section of the app.

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

This is how the sneakers are displayed once you open the packaging. Credit: Christopher Claxton

The box is massive and the Nike Auto Max is spelled out on the side of the box while the auto mascot is on another side. When you open the box, you’ll see each shoe standing up inside with another box on the inside as a divider. Inside the divider you’ll find an auto max vinyl figure with the charging cable for the charging pad. Removing the shoes reveals the charging pad hidden under a compartment below. The packaging is really well designed and it’s a great display piece. It’s just very large.

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

One of the many wires hidden inside the sneaker that power the Nike Adapt System. Credit: Christopher Claxton

The upper part of the sneaker is made with a smooth mesh that hides the Nike adapt system, the motor is in the sole of the sneaker covered by the insole and a Velcro cover. The motor controls the cables in the shoe that allows you to tighten or loosen the fit and it works extremely well, it’s responsive, and works with no delay.

Nikes self-lacing trainers review năm 2024

The neutral gray uppers Of the “Motherboard” color way. Credit: Christopher Claxton

This shoe is extremely comfortable, it has a large chunky sole with a huge Air Max unit in the heel. The cube like traction pattern keeps you planted too. Overall the sneaker fits true to size.

I usually wear a US 12, US 13, or whatever I can get my hands on. The size 13 fits me perfectly, and the fit is secure with or without the lacing system. The Nike Auto Max isn’t as heavy as you may think. I didn’t notice any added weight; it was honestly like wearing any other sneakers.

Overall I’m glad I added these to my collection. If money was out of the question I would definitely buy multiple pairs. They feel good, they look great, and really can’t find a reason besides the price to not buy the sneaker.

The Nike Adapt Auto Max is a pair of sneakers that will turn heads. It’s something different and incites questions. The shoe is water-resistant so you don’t have to worry about rain or puddles.

How does Nike self lacing work?

How the shoe works. When a player steps into the Nike Adapt BB, a custom motor and gear train senses the space around the foot and adjusts to keep the foot snug. Then, as players begin to move, FitAdapt technology kicks in.

How long does the Nike Adapt battery last?

What is the battery life of my Nike Adapt shoes? Depending on how often you lace and unlace your shoes, the batteries should last between 14 and 20 days after a full charge.

What are Nike self

The Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 is the first fully-functioning athletic shoe that electronically adjusts to the contours of your foot via adaptive lacing technology – providing a personal, customized fit that makes it feel like an extension of your body.