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Back To The Future

2015 2016 nike mag self lacing sneaker release back to the future
Shoes, Wearable Technology

Self Lacing Nike Mags From Back To The Future 2 Launching October 4

October 3, 2016

nike mag self lacing sneaker release back to the future 2015 2016

While originally announced to be released this past Spring, all signs are pointing to the self lacing Nike Mag finally debuting tomorrow, October 4th. The sneakers were first teased almost a year ago, on Back To The Future Day, when Nike released a video of Michael J. Fox trying on a pair of the shoes. Today they were teased again, this time on the Nike SNKR app. Nearly identical to the futuristic footwear featured in the movie, the Mags have LED lighting and, most importantly, laces which automatically tighten around your foot. Nike has been working on the tech for some time and even plan to release a more commercial sneaker featuring the tech by the end of the year.  

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by Doug Parker
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HyperAdapt 1 nike self lacing tying sneaker
Shoes, Wearable Technology

Nike Announces First Mass Produced Self Lacing Sneaker

March 17, 2016

HyperAdapt 1.0 nike self lacing tying sneaker Nike+

There was a lot of excitement last October when Nike unveiled that it was actually going to release the self-tying Nike Mag from Back To The Future 2. Unfortunately the sneakers, which launch next month, will be very limited in quantity and only available via auction (which translates to prices possibly north of $10,000). That means the dream of “futuristic” self-lacing shoes is still only a dream for most of us…that is until last night when Nike announced the HyperAdapt 1.0. The HyperAdapt 1.0 will be the first mass produced self-tying sneaker. When you slide the shoe on and press your heel down, the laces engage and automatically tighten around your foot. Small buttons on the side of the shoe allow you to make micro adjustments to the tightness, either loosening or tightening the laces as needed. If your feet swell when you run, no need to stop, re-adjust, and re-tie your shoes, just tap the loosen button. Eventually Nike envisions shoes that will automatically sense when they need to adjust their fit and make the necessary tweaks. If you liked the bling from the Nike Mags, you can rest soundly because the new HyperAdapt also has LED lights. The HyperAdapt 1.0 is expected to launch in time for the holidays and we are guessing it will be on a lot of wish lists (we cannot wait to get our hands on a pair)! Pricing has not be announced, but no matter what it will cost less than a pair of Mags would set you back. When the shoes launch, they will be available exclusively through the Nike+ app. Speaking of which, the app is about to receive a shopping oriented makeover in the coming months [the Nike+ running app needs lots of updates but shopping was not one of them, just restore our map data you lost last summer and fall Nike!].  

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by Doug Parker
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University Rochester shape shifting polymer elastic energy self fitting clothing
Wearable Technology

New Shape Shifting Polymer Could Lead To Self Fitting Clothing

February 22, 2016

University Rochester elastic energy Shape Shifting Polymer Self Fitting Clothing

Heat causes things to expand – we have been taught that since an early age. You can see the concept in practice via the metal expansion joints on a bridge. But what if we could create a material that contracts when heated. Researchers at the University of Rochester though have developed a substance that does just that. What actually is happening is that the polymer is returning to its original shape; if you stretched and twisted it and then exposed it to heat, the material would shrink and straighten to its original form. Think of it as a rubber band that holds its shape until receiving an instruction set to release the stored elastic energy, returning the polymer to its original form. By storing its new shape as elastic energy, the material is capable of lifting 1,000 times its weight when in contracts! The process of how this is achieved is pretty clever. When shape-memory polymers are cooled or stretched, small segments of the polymer align in the same direction; these are called crystallites. These crystallites make it increasingly difficult for a material to return to its original form. Researchers found that by using molecular linkers to connect polymer strands they could inhibit (but not stop) crystallization. By heating these linkers to their melting-point, the crystallites break apart and the material returns to its original shape. The polymer can be customized to respond to different temperatures, including body heat, by adjusting the number of links and substances used. 

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by Doug Parker
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Falyon Self Drying Jacket SDJ-01 Kickstarter
Clothing

Back To The Future Inspired Self-Drying Jacket Hits Kickstarter

December 23, 2015

Falyon Self Drying Jacket SDJ-01 Kickstarter

It seems like 2016 could be a very exciting year for Back To The Future 2 fans. Not only will we see self-lacing Nike Mags going on sale, but it appears that you will also be able to own a self-drying jacket. The SDJ-01 is the work of Falyon, a startup that has turned to Kickstarter to launch the jacket. The campaign has already surpassed its $12,000 goal, so if everything is legit, the SDJ-01 is going to become a reality. The idea is pretty simple; there are 2 “air amplifiers” that blow air into the jacket at a very high rate (similar to a hair dryer). The circulation of the air then causes the jacket to dry from the inside out. Each of the “air amplifiers” weighs about as much as an iPhone. They are powered by a small rechargeable battery that is good for 30 minutes of drying time. The forced air is vented from the jacket from 3 vents along the neckline and everything is controlled from a small power button near the front zipper. Falyon claims that it takes between 1 and 2 minutes to dry the jacket from rain or a small spill. A full on dousing in the pond in front of the town courthouse is likely to take substantially longer though. If you are looking for some utility out of the jacket, it also features internal smartphone and tablet pockets. The jacket is available in a variety of colors, including a familiar looking red/black style. The Back To The Future special edition version requires a pledge of $159 while any other color will set you back $149. Falyon expects the SDJ-01 to ship in April.

Besides being a fun thing to show off to your friends or add to your Halloween costume, we are not sure how practical the SDJ-01 is. After all, how many times have you thought, “I really need my jacket to be dry in the next 60 seconds!” But it is an intriguing concept. If everything works as promised and they continue to flesh out efficiency and miniaturization, Falyon might be best served to seek a licensing deal. Partnering with a large outdoor appear brand could make the tech more compelling to consumers. That said, we love that people are working relentlessly to bring fictional items to real life! We just hope that the SDJ-02 is also self-fitting!

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by Doug Parker
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2015 Gift Guide Best Fashion Tech
Gift Guide

2015 Gift Guide: Fashion Tech

December 21, 2015

2015 Gift Guide Best Fashion Tech

Fashion tech promises to seamlessly integrate technology into clothing. It has the potential to allow garments to respond to the surrounding environment, to better express one’s style, and to be simpler and more ecological to manufacture; fashion technology feels like the exciting next frontier of clothing. But it is an uphill battle, both from a technology and perception standpoint. After years of hiding our phones away in our pockets, smartwatches are slowing introducing the public to the idea of wearing a piece of technology. The idea is still fairly foreign though and it is an uphill battle to overcome the ‘nerdy’ image people associate with any kind of wearable technology. Additionally, batteries and electronics need to reach milestones of miniaturization, durability, and longevity for the true potential of fashion and technology to be realized. That said, we have seen a lot of exciting ideas in fashion tech this year. Whether it is Rebecca Street’s LED dress or Chromat’s breathing sports bra, most of the current fashion tech concepts are still relegated to the runway…but not all of them. In this gift guide we take a look at some of our favorite fashion tech that you can own!  

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by Doug Parker
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Back To The Future Day 2 II Wearables Fashion Tech Featured
Wearable Technology

Back To The Future Day Arrives, Do Our Wearables Stack Up

October 21, 2015

Back To The Future Day II 2 Wearables Fashion Tech

From this day forward, the entire Back To The Future Trilogy takes place in the past. As you undoubtably have heard, today, October 21st, 2015, is the day that Marty, Doc, and Jennifer  traveled forward in time to and it is arguably the most significant day in pop culture history. Set in the not-to-distant future, Back To The Future II offered a mostly optimistic vision of what was to come. Cold fusion, flying cards, hoverboards, and dehydrated pizza. Wearable technology was also prominently featured in the 1989 movie, but how does our current day 2015 stack up against the alternate timeline of Hill Valley’s 2015?

Back To The Future II assumed some of the worst trends of 80s fashion would continue and the film depicts the logical progression of those styles. Thankfully that did not come to pass; we are not wearing transparent ties and neon plexiglass caps. Instead, there has largely been a reversion to classic styles, looks, and colors. The inside-out jeans from the movie also did not happen, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t have. In theory it is not much different than saggy pants or Kris Kross’s backwards jeans.  

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by Doug Parker
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Nike Air Mags Self Lacing Back To The Future 2 Power
Shoes

Self Lacing Nike Sneakers Officially Launching In 2016 (UPDATED)

October 21, 2015

Nike Air Mags Self Lacing Back To The Future 2 Power

UPDATE: Nike has posted about Michael J. Fox’s pair #1 of the new Nike Mags. The post also (sadly) confirms the sneakers will only be released via a limited auction, similar to the 2011 version. Hopefully it is easier to obtain than a Pepsi Perfect.

While it might be missing the October 21st, 2015, Back To The Future Day, Nike will debut sneakers with a self lacing mechanism in Spring 2016. In a video posted to the MichaelJFox.org twitter feed, we see the Back To The Future star put on a pair of Air Mags with “power laces.” Much like in the movie, Marty Michael J. Fox is in shock as the sneakers tighten around his foot. We have to admit, there is something amazing, and slightly mind melting, about seeing him pull on the Air Mags just has he did on this day in the fictional 2015.

Currently little is known other than the tweet stating that it is real and coming next year. No word on if the self lacing technology will debut in a pair of Air Mags, but it would be a HUGE shame is it did not. “Spring 2016” cannot come soon enough! Oh, and Nike, please do all the fans a favor and not limit this to only a few hundred pair again.

 

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by Doug Parker
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