First seen in 1989's 'Back to the Future II,' celebrating more than 30 years of the Nike Mag.

Celebrating more than 30 years of the Nike Mag, first seen in the 1989 film, Back to the Future II.

In April 2009, Nike filed the patent for self-lacing shoes. By September 2011, the Nike Mag was a reality. Though the shoe lacked the self-lacing feature, it was an aesthetic match to its filmic counterpart, complete with an electroluminescent Nike logo on the strap and glowing LED arrays at the midsole and heel. The 2011 production run was limited to 1500 pairs and released through charity eBay auctions where proceeds went directly to Michael J. Fox’s Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

The <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/air-mag-2016-autolacing-amg-16"><ins>Nike Mag</ins></a> self-lacing sneakers from Back to the Future II became a reality nearly 20 years later when Nike released a super-limited edition of just 89 pairs in 2016. “We had to wait for some technology to advance, so motors had to get a little smaller, faster, stronger.” said Tiffany Beers, Nike Senior Innovator. Original pairs were made available via an online raffle again benefitting Fox’s foundation. The sensor-equipped shoe automatically tightens and loosens to fit the unique shape of the wearer. Integrated glowing lights in the midsole, heel, and strap highlight the futuristic form. 
 
30 years since its debut, the Nike Mag is regarded as one of the most iconic sneakers of all time. Collectors Keith McCurdy of Bang Bang Tattoo, Bigboy Cheng, Retrokid45 and Dave Villegas recall first seeing the sneaker on the big screen, its path to reality and what it means to the sneaker community today:

Keith 'Bang Bang' McCurdy: 
“I think I saw this shoe when the movie first came out. My mom and family loved movies so I would have seen this as a young child, maybe five-years-old. Sneakers were my early childhood obsession—it was the thing I’d work for and earned money for and I would always keep them clean, almost everyday. This was the top of the mountain for me as far as sneakers. 
 
I got the Nike Mags because I have some really good friends and I just gotta leave it at that. 
 
I put one of them on once to see the autolace mechanism, without pressing the button. If you put your heel down, the sneaker automatically laces. I’ve never worn them outside and I’ll probably never ever put them on again. 
 
My favorite part is the attention to detail. There’s a really advanced mechanism inside that shoe that’s completely unnoticeable from the outside. You can’t feel it, it isn’t heavy. Great engineering feels like magic and that’s exactly what these shoes feel like. 
 
The Nike Mags are definitely the greatest sneaker of all time—it’s not even close. There’s no shoe that’s ever come out or is going to come out that I will covet as much as my Mags. Beyond that, having them autographed by Michael J. Fox just makes it a whole world more special for me. He’s a fan of Bang Bang Tattoo and we’re such a fan of his.”

BigBoy Cheng: 
"Back to the Future II is one of my favorite films of all time. Michael J. Fox is also one of my favorite actors. I was so amazed when I saw the shoe especially when it auto-laced. I love the design by Tinker Hatfield including the upper, the blue paint splatter and the light-up Nike branding on the tongue. 
 
In 2011, I entered the online raffle but unfortunately didn’t win. I ended up getting a pair from a good friend here in Manila. For the 2016 pair, I got it in LA. I sent a friend from the Philippines over to the States to get them for me. My friend has a relative who is an LA police officer so he helped escort him and the auto-lace Nike Mags. 
 
I wear the 2011 pair all the time, especially during my gallery events and different art fairs. 
 
I love the Nike Mag and it brings me so much joy and fond memories, but the greatest sneaker of all-time? I think not. There are so many pairs, I wouldn’t even know where to start…”

RetroKid45: 
"This may date me, but I saw Back to the Future II back in 1989, and I distinctly remember the Nike Mags. I was absolutely mesmerized by the shoe, the concept of self-lacing shoes, and just enamored with the way they depicted the ‘future’ in the movie. Ever since then, I became obsessed with several things in the movie, including Hoverboards, the lenticular hat, the self-fitting jacket and of course the Nike Mags. 
 
I bid on and won two pairs during the 2011 eBay auctions, which benefited the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. As soon as it was announced, I knew 10000% I needed to get two pairs. It was always a dream to own them and wear them, so this was the chance. I tried for the 2016 self-lacing pairs as well, but unfortunately didn’t win…but am still looking to own a pair of those someday! 
 
I always told myself I would, but I was never brave enough to actually wear them outside. I have worn them indoors on two occasions, but never for more than 10 minutes each time. 
 
There’s so many cool parts of the shoe. The molded heel piece with ‘Nike Mag’ and paint splatter patterns, the clear translucent outsole with the interesting traction pattern…but the absolute best part of the shoe is the various parts that light up. The ‘Nike’ on the strap, the red/yellow/green light on the heel and the two sections in the outsole…the light-up parts give it a very distinct look. 
 
For me, it is definitely up there in the top 5 of all time for me. The design and concept for sure, but also think about the lore of the shoe: it’s a completely made-up sneaker for a sci-fi movie that had a cult following, then Nike decides to make the shoe in real life, with proceeds going towards the star’s foundation against a deadly disease. How often do you see a fictional sneaker come to life? And then it self-laces! For me, the <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/silhouette/air-jordan-4">Air Jordan 4</a> is still the #1 shoe for me, but the Nike Mag is definitely top 5 of all time for me."&nbsp;

Dave Villegas: 
"I was 12 years old when I saw Back to the Future II in the theater. The first Back to the Future was already one of my favorite movies, and that year, I was in 7th grade, was when I really started to get into sneakers. When I first saw the Nike Mag, it was love at first sight, but when the sneaker laced itself, I nearly lost my mind! 
 
Fast forward to 2016, I was working at Nike and found out that they were releasing a really limited number of auto-lacing Nike Mags, so I knew that once people found out how limited they were going to be, the price of the 2011 pair would skyrocket. 2016 was also one year before my 40th birthday, so I sat down with my wife and told her my plan for a really nice 40th birthday present to myself that wouldn't cost her anything! &nbsp;I found a 2011 pair for a decent price and pulled the trigger. 
 
When UPS delivered the giant yellow box, my heart began to race, and finally holding that sneaker—I felt like no matter what happens with collecting sneakers, whether I get another pair of sneakers in the future or miss out on any hyped up shoe, none of that mattered. I already reached my goal. 
 
I've worn my pair about 10 times to Halloween parties, work meetings and also cosplay (I've got a mean 1985 and 2015 Marty McFly cosplay game!). 
 
I really love how Tiffany Beers and Tinker Hatfield had to recreate the shoe from the ground up and were focused on getting all the details right. It really is one of the greatest sneakers of all time!"

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ARCHIVISTS: The Legendary Nike Mag