Honest Reactions to Auto-Lacing Sneakers

The future is here, but is it actually useful?

May 10, 2016
Photography by Taylor Gray / GIFs by Andy Hur
Photography by Taylor Gray / GIFs by Andy Hur

It’s 2016. Modern science hasn’t allowed us to have hoverboards yet (actual hoverboards, not those stupid things on two wheels), but pioneering sneaker brands have been able to make auto-lacing sneakers happen...kind of.

Earlier this year, Nike debuted its HyperAdapt—a self-lacing raining sneaker co-designed by Tinker Hatfield that is set to launch by the end of the year. But before that, PUMA debuted the Auto-Disc, a natural evolution of its Disc Blaze sneaker that replaces the manual crank with an automatic motor.

We got our hands one of the prototypes and tested it out with four people in the Complex Mag office who are unfamiliar with sneakers to get their unbiased reactions. Here are their honest opinions.

Ross Scarano

Deputy Editor, Complex

Twitter: @RossScarano

It’s kind of disconcerting that there’s something mechanical here. This reminds me of something stupid.

It’s like small boa constrictors wrapping around your foot. I can feel the battery pack compressing on my foot in a way that sucks. I’m trying to imagine a situation where these would be beneficial. I’m already hungover and tired and it’s not like it’s saving me any energy or anything. I can't clap them on. I still have to bend over to push the button.

Verdict: They’re just like normal shoes, except dumber.

Justin Bolois

Features Editor, First We Feast

Twitter: @JustinBolois

From the side they look kind of nice. It just looks like you have a tumor on your shoe. The compression actually works. Not sure if I like it. I’d be nervous to wear these in the edit bullpen. Let’s be real, it sounds like they're from back in the industrial revolution. It just sounds like machinery. It’s the sound of a velociraptor.

Verdict: This is definitely something Brendan Dunne would wear.

Frazier Tharpe

Social Editor, Complex

Twitter: @The_Summerman

Auto-lacing would be more cool if it actually auto-laced for you. The battery pack feels like a weight every time I take a stop. It feels like someone is standing on your feet, even when they’re all the way loose. Where’s the auto-lacing Rihanna slide? 

Verdict: It looks like something a Power Ranger would wear. I’m not into it.

James Harris

Director of Development, Edit/Video, Complex

Twitter: @Dr_TacoMD

Honestly, they’re slightly futuristic. They’ve got the whole Tron vibe going. The sound is horrible. It sounds like a Transformer having a very disturbing orgasm.

Verdict: They look a lot better on foot than in the gigantic box with six iPhone chargers. They’re super uncomfortable though.

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