NEW YORK — A generation ago, it was the stuff of science fiction. But now self-lacing athletic shoes have arrived — and even though they are painfully pricey — they're pretty darned slick. Nearly two decades after the Back to the Future Part II teased movie goers with cool "kicks" that laced themselves, Nike has released the real-world version of the self-tying footwear, the $720 HyperAdapt 1.0 shoes. And we've had a chance to try them out for 24-hours. I walked 50 blocks to lunch in a pair, from Madison Square Garden to Manhattan's Upper West Side. I went on a two-mile run in New York's Washington Heights. Did I feel cool? Did I worry about plopping one of these high-priced sneakers in a puddle? Others will soon have the same experience to put them through, um, their paces. The shoes are on sale by appointment at two Nike locations in New York. They come to Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and an additional store in New York on Dec. 20. They give off a high-tech vibe from the moment you open the box.

After all, when is the last time you bought a pair of shoes that come with a magnetic charging puck and a USB wall adapter? It's similar to the packaging of a phone or video game console. Once you slide your feet into a pair and stand up, you know you're in no ordinary pair of shoes. They are battery powered. Motors whir and lights flash along the back and bottom of the sneakers. A sensor inside the shoe communicates with the motor to tell the sneaker exactly how much to tighten, working together to create a customized fit around your feet. Two buttons along the sides of each shoe allow you to adjust the fit as needed, with the top button tightening the laces and the bottom loosening. Like any new pair of shoes, they initially feel tight. But adjusting the shoes with the buttons allowed for an easy tweak on the go. It was a bit easier and quicker than having to stop and tie laces. Even after wearing them for extended periods of time, I rarely found myself making adjustments.

Some 20,000 steps and 10 miles later, I was sold. They were the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. — Odell Beckham Jr (@OBJ_3) December 5, 2016 I'm in good company. Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving and New York Giants star Odell Beckham Jr. are among a few of the star athletes who have shown off their fancy "kicks" online, suggesting there's a clear cache to having a pair. Nike says it's pushing this particular model for runners and all-around athletes, stressing that it's a performance shoe. "We've tested it in basketball, running and training,"  says Tiffany Beers, senior innovator at Nike and one of the co-creators of the HyperAdapts. But Beers says that as development proceeded, it became clear that self-tying shoe can help more than athletes. She says she has received letters indicating it could be beneficial for those suffering from debilitating diseases like multiple sclerosis. Many have a daily struggle putting on their shoes. One of Beers' colleagues who is seven months pregnant also loved them.

"If you've ever tried to reach your feet while you are pregnant, it's a whole 'nother ball game," Beers says. The shoes are charged by placing the bottom of each shoe onto the magnetic charging pucks, a process not that different from how one charges an Apple Watch. Winew nike wrestling shoesth no additional technology such as Bluetooth or a GPS for tracking runs, Nike claims the battery can last for at least two weeks. nike shoe company facts The shoes take around three hours to charge. Thmens tennis shoes uk salee light along the bottom flashes to show battery power levels every time you lace up. Inrunning shoes venice

the event your battery runs out of juice while the shoes are on your feet, you can push the bottom of the two buttons to loosen the laces and free yourself. Or, since it's a low top, just slip your foot out. "I've gone over ten weeks without charging them," says Beers, who notes she adjusts them a few times a day. "Iwhat is the best pair of nike shoest totally depends on how you use it." adidas 1 running shoe price There is also the issue of durability. While a little rain shouldn't be a problem, the shoes are not waterproof or even water-resistant. A heavy downpour or being submerged in a puddle presents a risk. But this is too be expected with such an early version of a new technology. Looking ahead Beers sees the self-lacing tech not only becoming cheaper, but also adjusting to your foot automatically as you run or play sports.

"This is the first step into the future of 'adaptive fit' and this is just a baby step," says Beers. "The potential that this has... that's where we're going." Follow Eli Blumenthal on Twitter @eliblumenthalWe're sorry, but we could not fulfill your request for /2015/12/the-10-best-skate-shoes-of-2015/ on this server. An invalid request was received from your browser. This may be caused by a malfunctioning proxy server or browser privacy software. Your technical support key is: 36ff-66c3-1756-6707 You can use this key to fix this problem yourself. and be sure to provide the technical support key shown above. With the summer in full swing, it's time to kick your workouts into high gear. That means you'll need the best sneakers to offer comfort, support and good looks. Here are the top Nike kicks on the market now that will help you put the finishing touches on that beach body or simply give your workouts a fresh look and feel -- all for under $100.