Nike Adapt BB Is the Next Step for Self-Lacing Shoes

The Adapt BB incorporates a system called FitAdapt. The user selects their preferred fit using buttons on the side of the shoe or the Nike Adapt smartphone app. A motor and gear train then sense the tension required, and adjust the shoe’s underfoot lacing to ensure a snug fit.

According to Nike, a basketball player’s foot can expand by almost half a size during play, with the athlete needing to loosen their laces throughout the game to increase blood flow, and tighten them again for performance. The FitAdapt technology enables them to quickly loosen and tighten the fit during a timeout; future firmware updates will enable players to choose a different tightness setting for warm-ups and other phases of the game.

Nike plans to roll out the FitAdapt technology to “other sports and lifestyle products” in future. We explore how consumers are seeking out products and devices that enhance human ability in Designing Amplified Experiences, part of our Active Lives Macro Trend.

The technology could also have applications beyond athletics – improving convenience for people with disabilities, for instance. See our recent Access for All report for more on adaptive clothing that meets their specific needs.