Photo: Stockx
After the release of the Nike Adapt BB last year, Nike decided to bring back its self-lacing technology for its sequel. Dubbed the Nike Adapt BB 2.0, it was released on the 16th of February, however, it has attracted very little buzz. So, almost 5 years after we first came across Adapt technology, the failure of the Nike Adapt BB 2.0 begs the question, does anyone care about it anymore?
The Nike Adapt BB 2.0 is a low-cut sneaker and features a synthetic wrap that covers the majority of the upper. The sneaker has a plastic heel counter and a 3M tongue, as well as 2 buttons on the midsole that not only allow you to tighten or loosen the fit of the sneaker but can also be programmed to light up. The sole features Nike’s premium Air Zoom Turbo cushioning and unlike previous adapt models, the wires that allow the shoe to self-tighten, are exposed.
Adapt technology was all the rage back in early 2016, as we had just seen the release of the Nike Mag the year before and were awaiting the release of what came to be known as the Nike Hyper Adapt 1.0. Although the original colorway sold out, very quickly sneakerheads started to stop caring about the Hyper Adapts, and a few sizes are actually still available on Nike’s website. This could be due to the heavy price tag and the relatively simple look, but even when the Nike Adapt BB dropped last year for almost half the price, the shoe barely sold out. Since then we have seen a Nike Adapt Huarache that was relatively popular, and then this year we have gotten our hands on the Nike Adapt BB 2.0, which seems to be the least popular of the bunch.
This could be for a few reasons, as firstly the Nike Adapt BB is a basketball sneaker, and as much as basketball sneakers are popular, consumers are more likely to get a cheap shoe that performs well and then spend most of their money on a casual shoe. This is why we have seen a trend in more signature shoes that cover the $90-$120 market being released, as this seems to be what most consumers are willing to pay.
Another problem with the Nike Adapt BB 2.0 is its looks, unlike the previous adapt models that have featured very sleek and minimal designs, the Nike Adapt BB 2.0 is completely different. So, even though previous models had caught flack for their simple design, the Nike Adapt BB 2.0 is too crazy for people to justify spending $400 on a pair. It is also important to note that, unlike the previous Adapt BB, the wires that allow the shoe to tighten, are exposed. For many fans of the Nike Adapt BB, the magic of not knowing how the shoe was able to self-tighten was a large reason for their love of the sneaker, so when the technology is openly displayed like on the Adapt BB 2.0, it ruins the illusion.
If you are interested in getting a pair for yourself, if you are in America you can still find them on Nike’s online store, and if you in Europe, they are now available at KICKZ.com.