Nike is making the HyperAdapt 1.0 available to the public! The company behind the self-lacing technology is making Version 1.0 accessible to all sneakerheads out there and it won't cost $1,000 as originally speculated. Although, the self-lacing technology will not come cheap either.
Tech Crunch indicates that this model has been in the works for more than a decade. Nike senior innovator says the project began as a concept and a sketch from Tinker Hatfield, Air Jordan designer. After which, the technology made its debut in the Back to the Future-inspired Mags, which was so limited that only 89 people were able to get their hands on it through auction and raffle.
A review from Engadget notes that one cannot help but be impressed by the model since the self-lacing shoes are very rare and relatively new. The review notes that Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 are comfortable to wear and true to size. The main feature, though, is the E.A.R.L., which stands for Electro Adaptive Reactive Lacing that automatically activates once the foot slides in fully into the shoe. This is mechanism allows "adjusting" laces function to snug the wearer's foot tight enough.
To adjust the HyperAdapt 1.0 to a perfect fit, there are two buttons for tightness and looseness on the side. However, Nike says the E.A.R.L. is "smart enough" to adjust the laces depending on the wearer upon the first try. The machine gives off a sound when triggered and that's how the person knows it is working, which is so cool!
The Electro Adaptive Reactive Lacing technology is run by a battery source and the level of power remaining is indicated by a blue block at the bottom of the shoe. This light turns yellow halfway through the battery life and red when it needs recharging. It is said that the battery can pack a month-long power supply in a complete charge, more or less depending on how often the laces are activated.
Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 hits the New York Nike Store in the first week of December and comes at a full retail price. Needless to say, if the customer can shell out $720 for a shoe, then you need to line up as early as now. However, some find the price too steep if any other performance shoes can give the same satisfaction with just the added effort of tying the laces with one's own hands.
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