Nike’s era of self-lacing sneakers has come to an end.
The company announced Wednesday on its help page that it’ll stop producing sneakers featuring its Adapt technology and will remove the accompanying app from the Apple and Android app stores.
Nike first launched its self-lacing technology in 2016 with the HyperAdapt sneaker, which uses a custom motor and gear train to adjust the tightness of the shoe. The dedicated Adapt app released in 2019 alongside the Adapt BB basketball sneaker and allows users to lace their shoes through their phone, change the color of its lights, make personalized set fittings and create pre-set adjustments based on different gestures.
Nike will remove the Adapt app from the app stores on August 6. The app will still remain functional for those who have already downloaded it on their phones but won’t be able to move it to a new device. Nike warns that future operating system updates may also affect the app’s functionality or remove it completely from a device.
Even without the app, manual adjustments can still be made using buttons on the shoe’s, but no other functions will remain available.
“We’ve had a long and successful run with our Adapt shoes and ushering in auto-lacing footwear tech,” Nike said in the FAQ section for the announcement. “However, we are no longer creating new versions of Adapt shoes.”
In addition to the HyperAdapt and Adapt BB, the self-lacing tech has been applied to new models and retro sneakers including the Auto Max and Air Jordan 11. At its cheapest, sneakers featuring Adapt still came it at a price of $350.
The prospect of self-lacing sneakers began with the Nike Mag, which were made by the legendary designer Tinker Hatfield for the 1989 film “Back to the Future II.” Movie magic hid the external motor that actually powered the shoe, and Nike released a replica of the shoe after years of urging by fans in 2011 without the self-lacing tech. Self-lacing versions then came in 2016 with just 89 pairs made available through a raffle with $10 tickets available to purchase with unlimited entries. All $6.75 million in proceeds were donated to the Michael J. Fox. Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
