Nike Adapt Auto Max "Motherboard" Releases For Air Max Day

Nike has kicked Air Max Day 2020 off with a bang, surprise releasing the power-lacing Adapt Auto Max in a “Motherboard” colorway. This unexpected drop marks the silhouette’s official retail debut, and brings Nike’s current power lacing sneaker lineup to three, with the Adapt Auto Max joining the Adapt BB 2 and the Adapt Huarache.

The first ever mass market auto-lacing Air Max sneaker, the Adapt Auto Max combines a sleek synthetic upper with an elongated heel piece and an elevated midsole. The “Motherboard” makeup uses soft and sleek gray tones on the upper, while adding contrast with orange shades on the heel. There’s also an abstract black sketch pattern, recognizable circular LED lights and more orange detailing on the midsole.

Although the upper does draw some parallels to the iconic Air Mag with its sleek shape and gray hues, the midsole and heel clip are what makes the Adapt Auto Max unique. Thick and beefy, the conceptual design encases both a power fit system in the midfoot — acknowledged by the duo of signature color-changing LED lights on the lateral side — and a classic Air Max unit in the rear, a potential nod to the 30th anniversary of the Air Max 90. Meanwhile, the heel clip separates itself from the rest of the upper before dropping down on the midsole, simultaneously providing a winged spoiler of sorts and bringing extra branding with small black Swooshes.

Both the lacing system and the light colors can each be adjusted from the user’s phone. Although this was a feature of past Adapt models, it’s taken even farther here. For the first time ever, the lights can be set to pulsate or flash in static fashion. The Adapt Auto Max also features a duo of fit modes: one more snug for athletic activity, one looser for relaxing. Wearers can also adjust the fit with voice commands from the iPhone‘s Siri or simple gestures on their Apple Watch. A wireless charging board is included as well.

“Nike Adapt is our pinnacle offering where performance meets connection,” said Nike Global Digital Innovation Senior Director Brandon Burroughs. “For the first time we can deliver dynamic comfort and protection to the Air Max platform, powered by a frictionless digital utility that will enable the shoe to get smarter and do more over time. In coupling Nike Adapt with our iconic Air Max platform, we’re providing wearers with the future of fit and ultimate ride in one shoe.”

Saluting the past while pushing fearlessly towards the future, the Adapt Auto Max recently released on Nike SNKRS. The retail price is set at $400 USD

Elsewhere, Nike has given the Air Force 1 React D/MS/X a stripped-back white colorway.