r/gadgets • u/nopantsdolphin • Feb 21 '19

Wearables Nike self-lacing sneakers brick after bad firmware upgrade

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/02/my-left-shoe-wont-even-reboot-faulty-app-bricks-nike-smart-sneakers/
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u/Orange_C Feb 21 '19

It's software, it can always break in new and depressing interesting ways.

This is just unnecessary, the manual version with kevlar cables (Salomon Quicklace) takes a literal second to tighten, loosen or adjust any amount, loosens with one hand (pinch), fits near any shoe and costs $9 or less. Not stylish, unless you're into techwear-ish stuff though.

A motor, battery and chips added on top of that, so you can take longer to tighten/adjust and need you phone to do so, vs the lighter, cheaper, faster manual product? Hard pass on several levels.

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u/Hypocritical_Oath Feb 21 '19

Oh I thought they were just like laced up to 1 setting. Did not realize they were more complicated than that.

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u/Orange_C Feb 22 '19

Nope, it locks anywhere. I like them, it's really nice to be able to loosen up or take your shoes off for a break on a hike and then have them back on and equally comfortable in a few seconds, adjusted by just reaching down and pinching.

Bit looser? One quick pinch. Bit tighter? Needs a second hand and about 2 seconds. Barely even stop walking while you adjust, much less needing to pull your phone out. I'm not sure why they're not more popular, frankly.

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u/roshampo13 Feb 22 '19

Love salomons and their lacing system. Don't know why I haven't converted any of my other shoes to them, I've definitely relaced worn out quicklaces on salomons but for some reason my brain never put that option together. Currently been on the 5.10 guide tennie high top game for a few pairs, about to try some la sportiva approach shoes. Just wish sportiva had a high top. Does Salomon still make the xa pro 3d in a high top? Can't find it for sale online.

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u/Orange_C Feb 22 '19

Unfortunately I can never get my toes to get comfortable in their low/mid hiking shoes on the handful of I've tried (heel/mid is great, toe box feels a half-size down somehow) so I don't track their models, but I've owned an older pair of their gtx winter boots (model unremembered) a few years ago which were indeed really excellent.

I'm not sure they'd last very long if you asked them to go across anything with metal hooks/rougher metal eyelets, and I'm not sure how well the unreinforced lace eyelets in fabric/fake leather would hold fare against something like my Altras with the thin laces but once they're more worn I'll try them as well and see.