There’s a yin and yang to everything, and sneakers are never exempt from this equation. Case in point: when Nike first released its revolutionary auto-lacing technology in the form of the Hyperadapt 1.0, the sneakers were the visualization of a dream long deferred. Auto-lacing technology had been on Nike’s checklist since the late ’80s, when the Air MAG first appeared in Back to the Future II.
When the Hyperadapt released in December 2016, it was an exciting time for the collective sneaker community. Then, collectively, everyone saw the shoe’s $720 price tag and became far less enthused. Nike soon thereafter vowed to lower the shoes price with time and refinement of its production process. That time is almost here.
Mark Parker, Nike CEO, recently announced that an auto-lacing Nike basketball shoe will soon be available and almost $400 cheaper than the Hyperadapt 1.0. Parker made this statement regarding the assumed Hyperadapt 2.0 during the company’s quarterly earnings call for Q2 of fiscal year 2019.
“I’m excited to announce that in the new year we’ll launch a new adaptive performance platform in basketball at the $350 price point,” Parker affirmed. “We have a smart shoe designed for the perfect fit, and it’s a major step in advancing and connecting our digital transformation to product.”
This huge leap in the direction of more affordable auto-lacing sneakers was reinforced by Nike Executive Vice President Andy Campion, who said on the call that the shoe would be releasing in spring 2019. Of course, legendary Nike designer, Tinker Hatfield, made mention of the auto-lacing basketball sneaker last year.
Expect more news on the Nike Basketball Hyperadapt 2.0 soon.
Update 1/3: Nike has posted a cryptic new teaser that many believe will be the unveiling of its basketball-focused Hyperadapt 2.0. Stay tuned for more on January 15th.
Looks like Nike has something planned for 1.15.19.
Stay tuned and I’ll make sure to keep you updated on what’s going down. pic.twitter.com/ubh6w5T76f
— Jacques Slade (@kustoo) January 2, 2019
