Back to the Future: Self Laced Shoes
One of the biggest trends in fashion nowadays is to incorporate technology, to make both an aesthetical and practical impact. Technology is here to make our life more comfortable and cozy. But how far will it go?
Is it possible for the day to come when we will no longer have to tie the shoelaces on our shoes? Will this simple act become obsolete? The future of footwear is here. There are already some pretty sci-fi sounding products out there like self-lacing shoes, straight from the movie Back to the Future.
Basically, as soon as you put them on, they will automatically lace up and tighten around your feet. But are these shoes something that we actually need? Let’s take a closer look at them.
Source: https://qz.com/1277555/how-nikes-self-lacing-shoe-was-created-in-six-questions/
This is a great example of how movies and fiction can impact reality. The muse of self-lacing shoes was Marty McFly from your favorite childhood sci-fi movie, who sported the first edition of these sneakers. However, this type of footwear has stepped off the filming set and strode off into the real world. While they are still a bit expensive and not everyone can afford them, this is about to change, efforts are being made to lower the price and make the product more accessible.
Nike
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/nikes-next-self-lacing-shoe-will-go-on-sale-for-350-in-2019
Undoubtedly the biggest name in this department is Nike. They even filed a patent for self-lacing shoes back in 2009. Everything famously kicked off in 2011 with the limited edition Nike Mag (1,500 pairs). Followed by a comeback in 2016, when less than 100 pairs were produced and all of them were sold online with the profit being donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s.
Although until now it has been pretty difficult to get your hands on a pair, it won’t be long before the self-lacing shoe becomes more accessible to the public. The first consumer version named HyperAdapt 1.0 was sold at $720, which wasquite an investment. However, the second generation is much more affordable at half the price ($350).
E.A.R.L. (Electric Adaptable Reaction Lacing) is brought to life as you put it on, the pressure from your heel will activate a sensor, which will adjust the lacing to a perfect fit. As the sneakers start tightening around your feet, a light placed at the heel will turn blue to signal that E.A.R.L. has come to life. However, you have complete control over the tightness, you can adjust it via an app or buttons on both sides of the shoe (for loosening it, hit the button closer to the heal, in only 2 seconds the sneakers will reach complete relaxation; for tightening it up hit the other one).
No worries, the app is very user friendly. An L and an R will represent your left and right foot on screen so you have a clear vision in both cases; a simple swipe up or down will automatically tighten or loosen the fit. Also, it will show you the battery life and even allow you to change the color of the lights. It can save preferred settings for a variety of situations (sports vs. leisure). You might be wandering how all this works, well it is not that complicated; a small motor is attached on the inside and is connected to the laces.
The first time you try on your E.A.R.L., you will be required to spend a little more time on the app, as you set everything up. One of the biggest hassles will be monitoring and charging yet another thing… the bright side is that a standard charge takes 4 hours and will last anywhere between one and two weeks, depending on the usage. Besides, all you have to do is place your sneakers on a special mat that comes in the package.
Puma
Source: https://footwearnews.com/2019/focus/athletic-outdoor/puma-fi-self-lacing-shoes-fit-intelligence-trainers-1202773076/
Nike’s fiercest competition comes from Puma and their Autodiscs, which were unveiled in 2015. Unlike Nike, they use a different technology, Disc closure system, which they also patented. The shoe is covered by a complex web of cables that evenly covers the surface in order to offer a unique support. While the prototype came with a USB cable, the commercial version is battery powered and charged through a wireless mat (similar to Nike). So far they are doing a great job at publicizing their product, especially in the sporting community, as they offered it to such great names as Usain Bolt.
The principle is more or less the same, but Puma does manage to differentiate their product from Nike. Perhaps, the most visible one is that they have dropped laces altogether, they have attached motors to straps, which will gently make the material snug your feet. But they also rely on their own version of an app to make adjustments.
Furthermore, those who were privileged enough to give Puma a go, reported that the sneakers are very light and it is easy to forget that you are wearing robot-shoes. It is important to mention that the versatility in the tightness of the shoe has many benefits. Unlike normal shoes with laces, the grip is distributed more evenly and is easily adaptable to different situations. For example, a tighter fit is recommended for sporting activities and a looser one for leisure time.
You know what they say, no laces, no distractions. But are you really ready to pay hundreds of dollars just to avoid tying your own shoes? Not to mention that you might be just replacing laces with the even bigger hassle of controlling an app and charging your shoes.
Some creative minds are also considering the potential privacy risks that might be involved. For example, some hacker might force you to wear your sneakers until you come up with the money to liberate your feet. A little farfetched? Maybe. But the fact remains that self-laced shoes are here, so what are you going to do about it? Wearing them would certainly make an iconic statement. All in all, we are talking about a revolutionary product, a footwear innovation that has successfully incorporated technology to make a practical point.
Is it possible for the day to come when we will no longer have to tie the shoelaces on our shoes? Will this simple act become obsolete? The future of footwear is here. There are already some pretty sci-fi sounding products out there like self-lacing shoes, straight from the movie Back to the Future.
Basically, as soon as you put them on, they will automatically lace up and tighten around your feet. But are these shoes something that we actually need? Let’s take a closer look at them.
Source: https://qz.com/1277555/how-nikes-self-lacing-shoe-was-created-in-six-questions/
This is a great example of how movies and fiction can impact reality. The muse of self-lacing shoes was Marty McFly from your favorite childhood sci-fi movie, who sported the first edition of these sneakers. However, this type of footwear has stepped off the filming set and strode off into the real world. While they are still a bit expensive and not everyone can afford them, this is about to change, efforts are being made to lower the price and make the product more accessible.
The most important brands that produce Self Laced Shoes
Nike
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/nikes-next-self-lacing-shoe-will-go-on-sale-for-350-in-2019
Undoubtedly the biggest name in this department is Nike. They even filed a patent for self-lacing shoes back in 2009. Everything famously kicked off in 2011 with the limited edition Nike Mag (1,500 pairs). Followed by a comeback in 2016, when less than 100 pairs were produced and all of them were sold online with the profit being donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s.
Although until now it has been pretty difficult to get your hands on a pair, it won’t be long before the self-lacing shoe becomes more accessible to the public. The first consumer version named HyperAdapt 1.0 was sold at $720, which wasquite an investment. However, the second generation is much more affordable at half the price ($350).
E.A.R.L. (Electric Adaptable Reaction Lacing) is brought to life as you put it on, the pressure from your heel will activate a sensor, which will adjust the lacing to a perfect fit. As the sneakers start tightening around your feet, a light placed at the heel will turn blue to signal that E.A.R.L. has come to life. However, you have complete control over the tightness, you can adjust it via an app or buttons on both sides of the shoe (for loosening it, hit the button closer to the heal, in only 2 seconds the sneakers will reach complete relaxation; for tightening it up hit the other one).
No worries, the app is very user friendly. An L and an R will represent your left and right foot on screen so you have a clear vision in both cases; a simple swipe up or down will automatically tighten or loosen the fit. Also, it will show you the battery life and even allow you to change the color of the lights. It can save preferred settings for a variety of situations (sports vs. leisure). You might be wandering how all this works, well it is not that complicated; a small motor is attached on the inside and is connected to the laces.
The first time you try on your E.A.R.L., you will be required to spend a little more time on the app, as you set everything up. One of the biggest hassles will be monitoring and charging yet another thing… the bright side is that a standard charge takes 4 hours and will last anywhere between one and two weeks, depending on the usage. Besides, all you have to do is place your sneakers on a special mat that comes in the package.
Puma
Source: https://footwearnews.com/2019/focus/athletic-outdoor/puma-fi-self-lacing-shoes-fit-intelligence-trainers-1202773076/
Nike’s fiercest competition comes from Puma and their Autodiscs, which were unveiled in 2015. Unlike Nike, they use a different technology, Disc closure system, which they also patented. The shoe is covered by a complex web of cables that evenly covers the surface in order to offer a unique support. While the prototype came with a USB cable, the commercial version is battery powered and charged through a wireless mat (similar to Nike). So far they are doing a great job at publicizing their product, especially in the sporting community, as they offered it to such great names as Usain Bolt.
The principle is more or less the same, but Puma does manage to differentiate their product from Nike. Perhaps, the most visible one is that they have dropped laces altogether, they have attached motors to straps, which will gently make the material snug your feet. But they also rely on their own version of an app to make adjustments.
Furthermore, those who were privileged enough to give Puma a go, reported that the sneakers are very light and it is easy to forget that you are wearing robot-shoes. It is important to mention that the versatility in the tightness of the shoe has many benefits. Unlike normal shoes with laces, the grip is distributed more evenly and is easily adaptable to different situations. For example, a tighter fit is recommended for sporting activities and a looser one for leisure time.
You know what they say, no laces, no distractions. But are you really ready to pay hundreds of dollars just to avoid tying your own shoes? Not to mention that you might be just replacing laces with the even bigger hassle of controlling an app and charging your shoes.
Some creative minds are also considering the potential privacy risks that might be involved. For example, some hacker might force you to wear your sneakers until you come up with the money to liberate your feet. A little farfetched? Maybe. But the fact remains that self-laced shoes are here, so what are you going to do about it? Wearing them would certainly make an iconic statement. All in all, we are talking about a revolutionary product, a footwear innovation that has successfully incorporated technology to make a practical point.
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A student of life and probably for life. She likes putting theory into practice and to challenge norms. Currently on a mission to understand human behavior and interaction. Always on the lookout for the next challenge.