Nike's 'Back To The Future' Self-Lacing Sneaker, The HyperAdapt, Will Be Available Later This Year

Ever since Marty McFly put on those Nike Mags with power laces in Back to the Future II, the world has been waiting for Nike to release them for real. But while self-lacing Nike Mags aren't likely to happen, Nike are releasing a self-lacing sneaker—it's called the HyperAdapt 1.0.

The HyperAdapt 1.0 features a so-called "lace engine" which is attached to Nike's Flywire nylon thread that wraps around your foot. As you put your foot in a heel sensor triggers the lace engine and tightens down until it feels the friction of your foot and stops. To make things look suitably futuristic LEDs in the heel light up when the laces are tightening. You can watch them in action in the video above, and they look pretty damn cool.

But because of all this technology in the shoe, like your phone they need to be charged. But a single five hour charge should last for about two weeks.

According to a piece in Wired about the sneaker and Nike's design ideas, the sneaker cost the company quite a lot in R&D but they seem to think it was worth it. "We’re talking about a project that’s maybe the most difficult in the history of footwear,” Tinker Hatfield, Nike's Vice President for Design and Special Projects, told Wired. “I’m more excited about this than any project I’ve ever been involved with.”

Nike believe the "adaptive fit," as they call it, is the future of footwear, aiding athletes by adapting to their feet when they're running or on the basketball court. They'll be available at certain stores in the US from 28 November and will be available in silver, white, or black.