bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Associated Press

Forget about slipping out shoes because of loose laces or feeling pressure from too-tight tying when doing those sprints.
Nike Inc has unveiled its first power-lacing sneaker — it allows users to make the fit looser or snugger on the fly by pressing buttons on the side of the shoe, with the tightening mechanism contained in the sole.
The sneaker is reminiscent of the self-tightening Nike sneakers worn in Back To The Future 2, by Michael J. Fox’s character, Marty McFly.
The world’s largest sportswear brand, based in Beaverton, Oregon, unveiled the sneaker along with a host of other innovations Wednesday at a media event in New York.
WATCH: Nike’s power-lacing HyperAdapt sneaker


The innovations come as Nike is digging deeper into personalised products and services, while focusing on reaching a goal of posting $50 billion in annual revenue by the end of its fiscal 2020 year. It reported US$30.6 billion in revenue for its latest fiscal year that ended in May.
Nike says that the potential for shoes with adaptive power lacing is huge because it provides tailored-to-the-moment custom fit.
When users step into the shoe, their heel will hit a sensor. The athlete then can press two buttons on the side that adjust the grip. But Nike says that in the future, it won’t be manual. The sensor could sense when the user needs to have the shoe tighter or looser.
The self-lacing sneaker, which is called “Nike HyperAdapt 1.0”, will be out starting the holiday season and will only be available for members of its loyalty Nike+ app. It will be available in three colours. The price was not revealed.
“The adaptive lacing system is an excellent first step towards truly adaptive personalised footwear,” said Matt Powell, sports industry analyst at NPD Group Inc, a market research firm.
Other innovations Nike highlighted include “anti-clog traction,” which uses technology that prevents mud from sticking to the soles of soccer cleats.
Nike also unveiled a new Nike Plus app, an all-access pass for athletes. The app, available in June, connects to its suite of apps that include running and training aids and provides access to Nike experts.
“We’ve entered a new era of personalised performance,” said Mark Parker, Nike’s president and CEO. “Today, athletes want more than just a dash board. They want a relationship.”


Nike goes back to the future and unveils its first self-lacing sneaker

An image of the Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 is projected on a screen as Nike CEO Mark Parker speaks during a news conference, on Wednesday in New York. Photo: AP

News

World