Right Out of Back to the Future: Shimano Granted Patent for Self Tightening Shoes

February 18, 2026

Just when we thought the bike industry had reached peak electronic integration, a perusal of the patents proves us wrong with a pair of shoes that feel like they could have been pulled right out of “Back to the Future.”

Control of everything from drivetrains to seat posts, tire pressure, and suspension has all been augmented to varying degrees by the advent of electronic integration. But, the latest potential beneficiary (or victim, dependent on your inclination) is perhaps the most eyebrow raising of all.

By virtue of motorized ratcheting lacing, the shoes are able to automatically adjust how tight or loose they are fastened, on the go. Originally covered by road.cc, this patent is the latest granted to the giant component manufacturer, Shimano.

The patent details how a raft of sensor information could be used to determine how tight or loose the shoes should be at any given time. VELO