Best Sneaker Tech in the Game

Sneaker technology makes the world go around. Without it, we'd have pieces of cardboard serving as soles instead of herringbone traction patterns or lush, Adidas Boost foam.

Technology has advanced so much over the years, in many ways it's become hard to keep up. But we wanted to search for some of the best examples of genius sneaker tech and bring them all to you.

Using major brands and their innovation chambers as our base, the following progressions in tech have changed the world.

Adaptive Lacing

Let the record show, Nike's HyperAdapt 1.0 is the first retail shoe to utilize self-lacing technology. First seen on the Air Mag model in Robert Zemeckis' Back to the Future Part II film, this idea has been a fantasy of sneaker enthusiasts for years. 

Adaptive lacing takes away the guesswork. Rather than sneakers coming loose or shoelaces getting in the way, Nike has found a way to improve security and progress.

All you have to do is slide your foot into the sneaker and let the automatic heel sensor do its job. Once locked in, an individual can adjust the tightness.

Between the limited release of the Nike Air Mag and the HyperAdapt, Nike has once again geared its brand toward the future. Now the question is, will we eventually live in a world without traditional laces?

Boost Technology

Adidas has shifted its entire company focus around the use of Boost technology. Built to reduce impact for runners in their heels and shins, the foamcore material loaded into the sole of each sneaker serves as a beacon of hope.

It might not be glamorous like adaptive lacing, but Boost remains a significant piece of sneaker technology based on the fact it has completely altered Adidas as a brand and running in general. By John Kell of Fortune's account, Adidas has seen a jump of 23 percent in North American sales.

Technology that translates from on-foot performance to sales can only be described as great. Without Boost, it's conceivable to think Adidas wouldn't be where it is today.

Nike Flyknit

Nike deserves a lot of credit for introducing Flyknit technology back in 2012. This threaded material changed the outlook of the company, as it focused on creating sneakers that were lightweight and equally durable.

The use of Flyknit has become transferable to all blends of sneakers and cleats. In a basketball capacity, we've seen the likes of Kobe Bryant use this material to create his own signature sneaker, the Kobe 9 Elite.

Christopher Klimovski of Hypebeast shared Nike's infographic, explaining how far the company has grown since the inclusion of Flyknit. One of the brightest spots was the 3.5 million pounds of waste saved by Flyknit-based shoes and 182 million bottles diverted from landfills.

It's not only a steady, comfortable use of tech. It also has a direct impact on the environment, which is an outstanding bonus.

3D Printed Kicks

It was only a matter of time before the sneaker world began to pivot toward the use of 3D printing. The technology has become easily accessible and has opened the doors to intricate designs and a barrage of new patterns.

Adidas moved forward with 3D printing, unveiling the Futurecraft 3D in October 2015. The shoe was a modern marvel, crafting a midsole from nothing and turning it into a piece of wearable tech that sways with various contact points in a person's foot.

The result of this 3D work is not only a glimpse into the future of sneakers, but it's an impressive piece of tech to watch out for moving forward.

Adidas Primeknit

Adidas' answer to Nike's Flyknit material was the introduction of Primeknit in 2012. Similar to Nike's lightweight venture, Adidas used Primeknit to alter the vision of its brand.

James Carnes, Adidas' Creative Director of Sport Performance, spoke with Hypebeast about the initial use of Primeknit in '12. "One was we were creating product with adiZero which was about reducing weight and simplifying the process of the creation of the shoe," he mentioned.

This change has now been at the center of Adidas' current footwear aspirations. From the Ultra Boost to the NMD, Primeknit has turned fragmented designs into compatible one-piece uppers.

If the conversation we're having is going to focus on Flyknit as a vital piece of tech wear, we can't gloss over Primeknit. The two go hand-in-hand, and together, have changed the way consumers look at sneakers.

Flyease Technology

Image courtesy of Nike

Nike's innovative approach to the world of tech has taken on many forms throughout the years. The Flyease lacing system it introduced in 2015 is one of the coolest additions we've seen thus far from Team Swoosh.

Flyease was developed to help those with disabilities put on their sneakers. First introduced in July 2015, Nike's goal was to create an entry-and-closure system—one that could be universally accepted.

Thanks to the guidance of designer Tobie Hatfield—brother of fellow Nike designer Tinker—Nike proudly unveiled this Flyease platform. It succeeded in giving people with disabilities a chance to effortlessly put on their favorite Nike kicks, like LeBron James' Nike Zoom Soldier.

This system is the type of progress we need in sneaker culture. It allows everyone to be part of the conversation, no matter what.

Under Armour Anafoam

Under Armour has remained at the forefront of footwear technology, and a lot of it has to do with Stephen Curry. Curry's decision to leave Nike for UA has transformed the company not only on a tech front but also in terms of added value.

Business Insider's Bob Bryan reported on the explosion in value. According to his article, Morgan Stanley analyst Jay Sole came up with the conclusion that Curry could be worth $14 billion to Under Armour.

This matters because along with that added sense of value, comes strands of new technology to fall back on.

UA's Anafoam material has encased Curry's signature sneakers. Anafoam is a combination between foam and stretch textile, which wraps over one's foot.

As a lightweight material, the coolest part about Anafoam is that it doesn't sacrifice durability. This protective layering is used mainly on uppers, which separates it from Adidas' Boost platform and other comparable foam-based tech endeavors.

Overall, Anafoam is a huge reason why Curry's signature shoes have become a staple of hardwood performance.

All production information and release dates via Nike News and Adidas News, unless noted otherwise.