Self-lacing shoes from Puma – The German sports manufacturer brings “Fi” onto the market

The sports brand Puma has introduced its Fi-Trainer model, the laces of which you can tighten with the pressure of your finger. Where most people would expect to find self-lacing shoes with laces, the Puma Fi shoe instead features a raised block. This houses a micromotor that drives a cable system embedded in the shoe. The fit, called Fit Intelligence (Fi), allows the user to tighten and loosen their sneakers as they would with regular shoelaces. However, this is done here via a control panel that is integrated on the Fi module. Straps simply pull up to tighten the shoe or down to loosen it.

The trainers feature a black, climate-regulating mesh upper and a silver Puma logo on the side. The Fi platform, contained in a raised block, has been built into the tongue of the shoe. The integrated lacing system is visible as four light blue cords that are pulled out from each side. The training shoe, tailored for training and easy running, has a series of integrated intelligent sensors. These can learn the shape of each user's foot and accordingly adjust the fit of the shoe to the person.

The technology has been developed so that you can train intelligently with it. The sports shoes are therefore designed for modern mobility. This allows you to cope well with both the city landscape and the gym. “This makes such self-lacing shoes suitable for the everyday life of a connected generation,” adds Puma. The company's announcement follows in the footsteps of Nike, which recently introduced a pair of loose basketball shoes as an advanced version of its 2016 self-lacing "Back to the Future Hyperadapt 1.0" model.

Innovative design for more functionality

Although Puma is opposed to thisSneaker TrendNike only joined later, the brand introduced cordless sports shoes with Velcro fasteners as early as 1968. The sports manufacturer was also the first to develop a wirelessly connected shoe with an adaptive fit in 2016. This was the popular “Puma Disc” model – the predecessor of the Fi shoe.

The German sports brand's announcement also serves as an open call for beta testers as the company looks for tech-savvy people to test the advanced technology platform before it is officially made available to consumers in 2020.

Using a smartphone app, athletes can also monitor and adjust the fit of their sneakers on the go while making adjustments using their Apple Watch or other smart device while running. “We have created a product aimed at the future of sports and life in motion,” said Puma Global Director of Innovation Charles Johnson. “It’s fast and constantly changing.” The accessories also include a charging station and a mobile charger for on the go.

Anyone interested in testing the new technology can sign up for the Pumatrac training app. This is available for both iPhone and Android software. The brand previously collaborated with the MIT Design Lab to create a range of experimental futuristic sportswear pieces. These include insoles that measure athletic performance using bacteria and self-lacing shoes that “breathe.”