Back to the Future's Self-Lacing Nikes Are Finally Real

With one tweet last night, Nike sent the sneaker-shaped corner of the Internet into a tizzy.

The implication, of course, was that the self-lacing sneakers Nike had created for Back to the Future 2 would finally be a reality. And what better time to do it then on BTTF Day itself?

This isn't the first time for the Nike Air Mag. In 2011, the company released 1,510 pairs of a sneaker based on the futuristic BTTF 2 prototype—no power laces, but otherwise pretty similar. Quite a few extra pairs went to athletes and "influencers," but the core of the run was to raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which funds research into Parkinson's Disease.

In February 2014, Nike designer Tinker Hatfield—who designed the movie's original shoe, and is responsible for many of the Air Jordan's most enduring models—claimed that self-lacing Mags would be coming in 2015. In July 2014, the Patent Office granted Nike's 2010 patent request for the self-lacing mechanism, and Hatfield re-confirmed a 2015 release date at an event this past February, leaving only the question of when.

Then the Nike tweet from last night. And this morning, this from Marty McFly himself.

The letter reads:

Hey Michael,

Almost thirty years ago we embarked on a journey to create a glimpse into "the future."

Although the project started as science fiction, we're now proud to turn that fiction into fact.

As the first, most celebrated wearer of the Nike Air Mag we wanted you to be the first to receive a living pair. "I meant Nike Mag" (I must have "Air" on the brain)!

What is so special about the Nike Air Mag is it's [sic] impact continues to resonate. We may never know it's [sic] final legacy, but we continue to work on projects that carry and progress some of its principles.

As you well know innovation never stops at Nike so we're excited about what lies ahead for this idea. We know if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything.

In addition to your personal pair, we're creating more pairs for support in aid of the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2016.

We hope that the combined effort will raise even more than the $9.4 million collected in 2011 and contribute in some way to eliminating Parkinson's Disease in our lifetime!

Your friend,
Tinker

P.S [sic] If my calculations are correct...your pair should be with you shortly.

And just minutes ago, the Twitter account of the Michael J. Fox Foundation posted this.

So. Yeah. They're here. At least one pair, with more slated to come in the spring. We're still waiting on video confirmation of the lacing, but if you want some, you'd better start saving those (tens of thousands of) pennies now.