When Nike launched the original self-lacing basketball sneaker, it shook up the industry by introducing automated fit technology to the hardwood. The follow-up, released globally on February 16, 2020, hit store shelves with a steep retail price tag of $400 USD. This second-generation model was built to fix the clumsy entry and stiff ride of its predecessor while keeping the core automated motor system intact.
Understanding what went into that $400 investment requires looking closely at the mechanical upgrades, the hardware costs, and whether the performance on the court justified the expenditure. Far from being a simple cosmetic refresh, the shoe brought structural changes that shifted how motorized footwear handled high-impact athletic movements.
Core Pricing and Value Breakdown
At $400, the sneaker sat firmly in the ultra-premium luxury tier of basketball footwear, costing double the price of elite flagship signature models from players like LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Consumers weren't just paying for foam and rubber; they were funding proprietary electronics, an internal small motor, Bluetooth connectivity chips, and a rechargeable power system.
The package included a custom wireless charging mat modeled after Qi-charging pads, which users plugged into a USB power source to juice up the shoes. Manufacturing complex motorized tension cables inside a flexible upper meant Nike incurred much higher production overhead than traditional stitched leather or knit shoes.
Major Upgrades Over the First Generation
The primary complaint about the initial version was how difficult it was to slide your foot into the shoe because of the rigid, enclosed structural shroud. Nike redesigned the upper entirely by introducing a stretchable ballistic mesh combined with an open-hole forefoot design and a molded heel counter.
- Easier Entry: The addition of a stretchy tongue and specialized collar mesh made sliding your foot into the shoe significantly less of a struggle.
- Cushioning Overhaul: Nike dropped the original Cushlon setup in favor of a forefoot Air Zoom Turbo unit. This delivered a springy, segmented bounce that reacted directly to quick lateral cuts and hard stops.
- Manual Controls: While users could still adjust tightness via smartphone apps or voice assistants, physical LED-lit buttons directly on the midsole allowed for on-the-fly adjustments without pulling out a phone.
Performance Reality on the Court
Despite the advanced engineering, real-world testing by competitive players revealed mixed results regarding on-court practicality. The addition of the motorized battery and gear train added noticeable heft, pushing the weight of the shoe up near 580 grams. That made it one of the heaviest basketball shoes on the market during its era.
Traction worked exceptionally well on clean indoor hardwood courts, utilizing a translucent rubber compound with a classic herringbone pattern. However, dust accumulation on unmaintained courts caused slippage, requiring frequent wiping. Furthermore, outdoor play was strongly discouraged because the soft translucent rubber wore down quickly and abrasive concrete threatened the delicate electronic housing embedded in the sole.
Common Ownership Challenges
Living with motorized footwear came with unique maintenance quirks that traditional sneakers never face. Battery degradation over years of repeated charging cycles meant the internal lithium-ion cells would eventually hold less charge. If the firmware lost synchronization or connection via the Nike App, owners sometimes experienced temporary glitches where the automatic lace motors failed to respond until reset on the charging mat.
Sizing also proved tricky for players with wider feet. Because the internal cables needed a clear track to pull the upper tight uniformly, the midfoot area ran slightly narrow. Many wearers had to size up by a half step to prevent the motorized cables from pinching the top of their feet during intense games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play basketball with a dead battery?
If the internal battery runs completely flat, the shoes freeze in whatever tightness setting they were last in. You cannot manually pull the laces loose because the internal gear motor locks the cables in place until power is restored.
Are these shoes waterproof or water-resistant?
They can handle minor exposure like stepping through a puddle, but they are not waterproof. Submerging the shoes or exposing the charging ports to excessive moisture can permanently damage the internal circuit board and motor.
How long does a single battery charge last?
Under normal usage conditions with regular adjustments throughout the day or during a game, a single charge typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 14 days before needing placement on the wireless charging mat.
Do you need a smartphone to use them?
No. While the mobile application allowed for precise tension calibration, custom LED color choices, and firmware updates, the physical buttons on the side of each shoe let you tighten or loosen the fit instantly.
