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Ever since we heard the whispers last year that Nike had a self-lacing shoe in the works we have kept an ear to the ground for any rumblings of real, rubber soled information.
Then at the tail end of last year Nike finally admitted it had been working on a concept. After a few months of sneaker-bated breath we finally have a release date for the actual model, the HyperAdapt 1.0.
Nike have confirmed that it will hit stores later this year, as yet with an undetermined price tag. Marty McFly’s sci-fi high-tops have finally been realised and we couldn’t be happier.
Nike’s head honcho, John Hoke, who also goes by the more traditional title of VP of design, explains that the shoe doesn’t use a traditional lacing system, but rather a battery-powered series of pulleys that pinch the throat of the shoe.
This means that when the wearer steps inside the shoe, funky little sensors at the bottom register his or her weight and the position of the foot inside. “It reads if you’re heavy on your heel or heavy on your forefoot,” Hoke says.
Then a set of tiny pulleys contracts the throat of the shoe by winding thread around a spool. “Imagine a fishing rod,” Hoke says. For the sceptics among you, there are controls in place so that the wearer can adjust the tightness manually by pushing on a plus or minus sign on the left side of the shoe.
Holding it down for two seconds will release the shoe. Nike says it wants to make the micro-adjustments automated and reactive to biometric data, so they adjust on the fly. Not only that, Nike says the shoe is intuitive meaning that after a couple of wears, the shoe automatically adjusts to your preferred setting.
The tech could change sport forever and Hoke recognises an entire suit of reactive ecosystem of Nike wearables. That means bio-clothing to you and me. The downside? Well you won’t just be charging your phone at night but your sneakers too. Nike says the shoes operate on a battery that will last for two weeks on a single charge.
Still, not a bad trade off for shoes that lace themselves.
Check out the Nike Hyperadapt
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Nike’s Hyperadapt 1.0
Nike’s Hyperadapt 1.0
Nike’s Hyperadapt 1.0
Nike’s Hyperadapt 1.0
Nike’s Hyperadapt 1.0
You don’t have to wait until the end of the year to get yourself a sick pair of running shoes. GQ’s exhaustive guide to the best products on the market will give you an option for every budget and workout plan.
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Running
With the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon registration starting at the end of July and the temperatures settling at more comfortable numbers, more and more runners are set to hit the roads. Before you head out, get a pair of these:
1) Asics Gel Kayano 22: An upgrade on the Gel Kayano series, this is hugely popular among pronators. One of Asics’ bestsellers the world over, the latest version with a seamless upper (bye, bye blisters) in funky colours will launch worldwide, including India, in September 2015. A complex cushioning system — a mix of rigid, foam and gel—in the sole ensure that it provides stability and arch support to the pronators while ensuring a springy toe off. As with all stability shoes, this is slightly on the heavier side compared to the racing flats available in the market.
2) Nike Air Zoom Elite 8: For Nike, this is the shoe of the season. The lightest among all Zoom shoes, this was launched in India this month, almost simultaneously with its US launch. For those with neutral stride, this is a great shoe to train in and if you aren’t competing for the top spot, you might also want to run your race in these. The sole is slightly curved so as to make your foot-strike to toe-off transition smoother and faster. There is enough cushioning to make sure that your feet and knees feel little impact even if you are on the heavier side. The sole also features Nike’s unique waffle pattern, which has been pretty popular among fast runners. Another shoe with seamless upper with a nice breathable mesh. It also comes with Flywire which wraps the foot nicely to improve stability.
3) Adidas Adios Boost 2.0: Though the Cosmic Boost is the shoe of the moment for Adidas, its racing flats Adidas Adios Boost 2.0 are the ones that catch our fancy. The reason is pretty simple: Dennis Kimetto set the world record of 2:02:57 for the full marathon in Berlin last year in these. The outer sole is made from tyre-maker Continental’s rubber, which really helps in giving you a good grip even on wet surfaces. Given its rather low cushioning, this is a shoe you want to use only for your speed intervals and races and not for your regular training.
4) Mizuno Wave Universe 5: Now, this is a shoe that shuts up other shoemakers when it comes to bragging rights about weight. At 80 grams, it is the lightest shoe in the market currently. Minimalist in nature, it is the best substitute to running barefoot. Don’t expect cushioning, but even in the ultra thin soles, they have inserted an air pocket in the heel that helps in a springy heel-strike and an equally smooth toe-off. Be warned, this is not a shoe for everyone, only the Milind “Barefoot” Soman type who loves to feel every inch of the ground.
Trail Running/Obstacle races
1) Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 2.0: The technology in the sole of this special trail running pair is the same as that in Air Zoom Elite 8 but this one is lower. The outer sole has lugs that grip the ground combined with a sticky rubber outsole to give better traction for off-road running. The upper is made of a mesh that helps your foot breathe and is really important while running long distances. It also comes with Nike’s Flywire support which wraps the foot firmly in place, improving balance and stability.
2) Reebok All-Terrain Spartan: This one excites us because it has a Kevlar-infused mesh for the shoe’s seamless upper. It also has a water drain design which pushes water out with every step you take. You definitely don’t want to run with wet shoes unless you love blisters. For better grip, the outsole has lugs just like the Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 2.0 as well as obstacle grip in the mid-foot sole. The Spartan comes with extra protection, in the form of a rock guard in the sole that protects your feet from sharp objects. Developed for the Spartan obstacle race, this works pretty well on trail runs too.
Crossfit
1) Reebok Crossfit Nano 5.0: Batman is not the only one wearing Kevlar anymore. Take a look at the Crossfit Nano 5.0 which comes with a Kevlar infused mesh, making it the most popular shoe among Crossfiters at the moment. It is extremely stable when it comes to performing Olympic lifts, by helping maintain your balance. It’s exterior Nano Shell coating not only prevents your foot from slipping while performing rope climbs, it also protects the shoe from wear and tear. Reebok has tinkered with the sole a wee bit thereby making it suitable for short runs, which frequently feature in metabolic conditioning workouts.
2) Nike Metcon 1: This is Nike’s second shoe that was banned, following the Nike Air Jordans that were crossed off the list by the NBA. Due to a tie-up with Reebok, Crossfit Games banned the Nike Metcon 1, which was launched in India recently. Developed specifically for Crossfit, the company retorted with an online campaign saying, “Don’t ban our shoe. Beat our shoe.” Fair enough, because these will finally give some serious competition to the immensely popular Crossfit Nanos in almost all departments.
Gym training
1) Puma Pulse XT: The PULSE XT is a lightweight cross trainer, with a secure fit that provides stability during high intensity workouts. The upper is breathable, and stretches to fit your foot. The Pulse XT uses the Puma patented EverTrain Footbed technology that adds resilience, comfort, and bounce in the sole.
2) Adidas Crazytrain Boost: Let’s start with the sole, which uses the boost foam in the forefoot region to cushion the ball of the foot. The sole beneath heel and toes is of a different density and thereby provides more balance while lifting weights. The upper is a combination of mesh and other materials and isn’t seamless. It is works well for short sessions on treadmill, machines and free weights.
Trekking
1) Woodland Nubuck Laceup: At one time, this was the most popular outdoor shoe in India. Given its pricing, it is still pretty popular and a decent buy. Great protection, rugged sole and good grip. But be warned: it is not waterproof. So, if your trek is going to be wet, get something else.
2) Columbia North Plains Mid Leather Waterproof: Popular for its cold weather gear, Columbia is also known for its hiking and trekking shoes. Aggressively lugged rubber soles on the North Plains provide superior traction while the waterproof-breathable membrane inside keeps you dry. The tall design provides extra ankle support and a combination of suede, textile and webbing keeps feet secure and protected.
3) Quechua Forclaz 600: This is another moderately priced hiking shoe from Decathlon. It is waterproof, comes with a sock liner and has excellent cushioning. The Vibram outsole with 4mm lugs makes for good grip even in wet conditions. This all weather shoe is best suited for moderate gradients.
Football
1) Adidas Messi 15: Adidas developed this shoe based on the feedback from Argentina and Barcelona great Lionel Messi. Given the modern game’s speed, the shoe has a cage on top that locks the midfoot, providing stability and better ball control. The studs are a combination of triangular and round, which offer better traction and ground control. You also get an indoor version of this shoe with different studs and sole for synthetic surfaces.
2) Nike Hypervenom II: This one is a stunner and at Rs 26,995, stunningly priced. A shoe designed for attacking players (worn by Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Barcelona’s Neymar Jr), the shoe features a mesh and skin upper with the Flywire technology allowing the foot to move in all directions while keeping it from sliding inside the boot. Its sole is softer than the original Hypervenom.
3) Vector X: And here is a pair that is easy on the pockets. Walk into any neighbourhood sports goods store and ask for a pair of Vector X. There is not much technology to speak about, but the shoes are sturdy, look good, feel good and let you enjoy a nice game of football.
Squash and badminton
Both these indoor sports demand that you use non-marking rubber soles. These provide better grip and are less slippery, hence letting you change direction at short notice and quickly. Yonex, Li Ning and Asics make some of the better shoes for these racket sports.
Tennis
This is, perhaps, the most recognizable tennis shoe at the moment. Designed in collaboration with Roger Federer, the Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour features adaptive fit construction that wrap the midfoot and arch from underneath the foot for a truly glove-like fit and total comfort on the court. The mesh upper maximizes airflow.
Basketball
Of course, there are the evergreen Nike Air Jordans, but the new Nike Hyperdunk is a pretty cool alternative. The hyperdunk has a minimalist upper with Flywire and an extended, flexible ankle collar to protect the ankle. Its three-pattern outer sole provides maximum traction, which basketball players are pretty fussy about.
Boxing
While picking shoes for boxing, make sure you buy something with a flexible ankle support and an excellent non-slippery outsole as you have to be on your toes throughout the fight, moving around the ring, stepping up, moving back and side-stepping. International brands Lonsdale and Everlast have good offerings for boxers while the Indian brand USI is another decent option.
This article originally appeared on gq.com.au
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