Revolutionary Self-Lacing Nike Adapt BB Basketball Shoes Revealed

Nike this morning released the brand new, power-lacing Adapt BB basketball sneaker. The Nike Adapt BB is Nike's first smart shoe designed for on-court performance - they have the ability to be customized to each particular wearer’s fit almost automatically.

The Nike Adapt BB features the technology from the self-lacing E.A.R.L.-equipped Nike HyperAdapt. The Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 was released in 2016 in limited numbers for 750 USD.

Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum will lace up in the Nike Adapt BB in tomorrow night’s game against the Raptors.

Nike Adapt BB Shoe

Designed to deliver a consistent, customized fit that's unique to every basketball player, the Nike Adapt BB can be customized to the wearer’s fit in three separate modes – one for the game, one for the warm-up, and one for the streets. When paired with a special app, players will have the ability to save preferences, download updates, and constantly change the color of its midsole lights.

If we look at the design and other tech features, the Nike Adapt BB has a mid-cut construction, a forefoot shroud that conceals its lacing mechanism, and a large midfoot Swoosh.

“We picked basketball as the first sport for Nike Adapt intentionally because of the demands that athletes put on their shoes,” says Eric Avar, Nike VP Creative Director of Innovation. “During a normal basketball game the athlete’s foot changes and the ability to quickly change your fit by loosening your shoe to increase blood flow and then tighten again for performance is a key element that we believe will improve the athlete’s experience."

“Bill Bowerman’s original insight was that fit is the foundation of athletic performance,” says Avar. “The Nike Adapt BB helps the athlete find their custom fit and provides uncompromising lockdown, feel and traction throughout a game, but we knew it would only be validated once the game's best players tried it out."

The Nike Adapt BB has a near-symbiotic relationship with its digital app thanks to opt-in firmware updates.

How The Shoe Works

When a player steps into the Nike Adapt BB, a custom motor and gear train senses the tension needed by the foot and adjusts accordingly to keep the foot snug. The tensile strength of the underfoot lacing is able to pull 32 pounds of force (roughly equal to that of a standard parachute cord) to secure the foot throughout a range of movement.

That’s where the brain, or FitAdapt tech, kicks in. By manual touch or by using the Nike Adapt app on a smartphone, players can input different fit settings depending on different moments of a game. For example, during a timeout, a player can loosen the shoe before tightening it up as they re-enter the game. In a forthcoming feature, they can even prescribe a different tightness setting for warm-ups. Plus, players can opt in to firmware updates for the FitAdapt technology as they become available, sharpening the precision of fit for players and providing new digital services over time.

Lock down your fit with the touch of this button (or via the app using your phone).

The upper's outer black shell is made of high-tenacity Flyknit; the inner white shell is a QuadFit mesh for a fit that conforms to the foot and stays snug.

The midsole features Cushlon foam.

How It Was Tested

Similar to the HyperAdapt 1.0, the Nike Adapt BB was put through a gauntlet of tests, including impact tests, intense temperatures, end-of-life tests that lasted tens of thousands of cycles long, waterproof tests to simulate the sweatiest feet and more.

The Nike Adapt BB is the most tested shoe in Nike's history according to Nike.

Nike Adapt BB - Features

• Flyknit constructed shroud integrates areas of breathability and flexibility.
• Padded tongue and flexible collar allow for easy entry.
• External heel counter helps lock you in.
• Encased lace engine doubles as a midfoot stabilizer.
• Includes wireless charging mat to recharge the shoes.
• Colorway: Black/White/Pure Platinum
• Price: 350 USD

The Nike Adapt BB shoe retails at 350 USD. The shoe will be shipped from February 16 2019.

What do you think of the all-new Nike Adapt BB basketball shoe? Do you think that Nike will release a self-lacing soccer boot anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below.