Andrew Pace
The Nike Mag is a limited-edition shoe created by Nike, featuring in the film Back to the Future Part II. The shoe was originally released in 2011, with a second launch in 2016, both in limited quantities. Nike has stated that the shoe is not meant for heavy activity and should not be worn for recreational purposes. However, Nike released a statement that they took inspiration from the film to make the shoe. The Nike Mag features in several Top 10 Nike Air Mags Basketball Shoes lists, suggesting that they are suitable for basketball. Nike also released a self-lacing basketball shoe in 2019, which may be a variation of the Nike Mag.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nike |
| Model | Mag |
| Type | Sneaker |
| Replica of | Self-tying shoe featured in the film Back to the Future Part II |
| Features | Electroluminescent outsole, space-age materials, rechargeable internal battery, self-lacing technology |
| Not suitable for | Heavy activity or recreational purposes |
| Produced for | Display |
| Launch year | 2011 and 2016 |
| Number of pairs in 2011 | 1,510 |
| Number of pairs in 2016 | 89 |
| Price range in 2021 | $10,600 to $15,900 |
| Self-lacing basketball shoes price in 2019 | $350 |
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What You'll Learn
Nike Mag's self-lacing technology
The Nike MAG is a limited-edition shoe created by Nike that is a replica of the self-lacing shoe featured in the film Back to the Future Part II. The Nike Mag was originally released for sale in 2011 and again in 2016, with both launches being in limited quantities. The shoe was designed by Tinker Hatfield and brought to life by Tiffany Beers.
The Nike Mags feature an electroluminescent outsole, space-age materials, and a rechargeable internal battery good for 3,000 hours. They are the first rechargeable footwear made by Nike. The rechargeable battery provides several days of use on a single charge. The self-lacing mechanism, officially coined "Adaptive Fit", allows the shoe to automatically adjust the tightness of its laces to the wearer's foot. Sensors embedded in the shoe detect the foot’s presence, triggering tiny motors to tighten or loosen the laces.
The Nike Mags were not meant for athletic use and were produced mostly for display. However, the self-lacing technology has since been incorporated into other Nike shoes designed for performance, such as the HyperAdapt and Adapt BB. In 2019, Nike released its first self-lacing basketball shoes, the Jordan XXXIII, which retail for $350.
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Nike Mags are not meant for sports
Nike Mag is a limited-edition shoe by Nike Inc. that was launched in 2011 and then again in 2016. The shoe is a replica of the self-tying shoe worn by Marty McFly in the movie Back to the Future Part II. The shoe features an electroluminescent outsole, space-age materials, and a rechargeable internal battery. While the shoe has gained immense popularity among sneakerheads and athletes, Nike has stated that the Mag is not meant for heavy activity and should not be used for recreational purposes. Here are some reasons why Nike Mags are not meant for sports:
Nike Mags are designed for display, not sports performance
Nike has stated that the Mag is primarily produced for display purposes. The shoe is a collector's item, with only a limited quantity released to the public. The unique design and futuristic technology of the Mag set it apart from typical sports footwear. With its electroluminescent outsole and rechargeable battery, the Mag is more of a showcase piece than a functional sports shoe.
Lack of durability for sports
The Nike Mag is not designed with the durability required for sports activities. The materials used in the shoe's construction, while innovative, may not withstand the rigorous demands of athletic use. The focus of the Mag's design is on aesthetics and technological innovation rather than durability and performance enhancement specifically for sports.
Insufficient support and cushioning for athletes
Unlike sports-specific shoes, Nike Mags may not provide adequate support and cushioning for athletes. Athletic footwear typically incorporates features such as responsive cushioning, grip, and support to enhance performance and protect the wearer's feet. The Mag, being a replica shoe, may lack these essential performance-enhancing and protective features.
Limited breathability and weight considerations
The Nike Mag, with its space-age materials and electroluminescent outsole, may not offer optimal breathability for sports activities. Athletic footwear typically requires lightweight and breathable construction to ensure comfort during intense movements. The Mag's design, while visually striking, may not prioritize these essential performance and comfort factors.
Safety concerns for sports usage
Using Nike Mags for sports activities may pose safety hazards. The shoe's rechargeable internal battery, for example, could potentially malfunction during athletic use, leading to electrical safety concerns. Additionally, the self-lacing technology, while innovative, may not provide the same level of security and stability as traditional lacing systems during dynamic movements.
In conclusion, while Nike Mags may visually resemble sports shoes and have some performance-enhancing features, they are not designed for heavy athletic use. Nike Mags are primarily intended as a collector's item and a showcase of innovative technology. For sports activities, athletes should opt for footwear specifically designed for their chosen sport, ensuring optimal performance, comfort, and safety.
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Nike Mags auction and resale value
The Nike MAG is a highly sought-after shoe, popularised by Michael J. Fox's character Marty McFly in the film Back to the Future Part 2. The shoe has always fetched high prices on the resale market.
In 2011, the Nike MAG shoes generated $4.7 million in total for Parkinson's research, in what was the largest charity auction in eBay history. The average selling price per pair was $3,600, with British rapper Tinie Tempah winning the first pair with a bid of $37,500. The 2011 auction offered 1,500 pairs of the limited-edition shoes, with the proceeds matched by the $50-million Brin Wojcicki Challenge, bringing the total funds raised to $9.4 million.
In 2016, a pair of Nike Mags sold for over $100,000 at a Sotheby's auction, with the winning bid coming in at £84,872 GBP, or approximately $104,267 USD. This was a significant jump in value compared to the original run of Nike Mags, which fetched a maximum of $3,800 USD at auction in 2011, with a resale value of around $11,000 USD.
In 2017, a pair of 2016 Nike Air Mags sold for a record-breaking $52,500 at Heritage Auctions, with the previous record being $32,500. According to StockX, the average resale price of the 2016 auto-lacing pairs is $28,055.
More recently, in March 2024, a pair of Nike Mags sold for $82,000 at Sotheby's 'Important Sneakers and Modern Collectibles' auction, demonstrating the continued demand and high resale value of these iconic shoes.
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Nike Mags' limited editions
The Nike MAG is a limited-edition shoe created by Nike Inc. It is a replica of a self-tying shoe featured in the film Back to the Future Part II. The Nike Mag was originally released for sale in 2011 and again in 2016. Both launches were in limited quantities. The 2011 release was limited to 1,510 pairs, while the 2016 release was limited to 89 pairs. Nike has stated that the Mag is not meant for heavy activity and should not be worn for recreational purposes. They were produced mostly for display.
The shoe was originally designed in 1989 and featured in the film Back to the Future, which was set in the futuristic year of 2015. The shoe had light-up panels and self-fastening laces. Over 15 years later, an online petition with 30,000 signatures asked for the return of the shoes. This caught the attention of Tinker Hatfield, who worked with footwear innovator Tiffany Beers to redesign the shoe. The redesign process took approximately six years and thousands of hours of work. The shoes feature an electroluminescent outsole, space-age materials, and a rechargeable internal battery good for 3,000 hours. They are the first rechargeable pair of footwear made by Nike.
The 2011 release of the Nike Mag was a collaboration between Nike and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. All proceeds from the auction were dedicated to the foundation, and a total of $9.4 million was raised. The shoe was sold on eBay, with prices ranging from $10,600 to $15,900. The 2016 release of the Nike Mag was also a collaboration with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and raised $6.7 million for Parkinson's research. This release was available through an online raffle, with tickets costing $10 each.
The Nike Mag has become a cultural icon due to its appearance in the Back to the Future films and its innovative technology. While the shoe was not originally designed for sports, Nike has since incorporated its design and technology into other performance shoes, such as the Nike HyperAdapt 1.0. The Nike Mag has helped to unlock new paths of innovation for the company and has inspired them to use their technology to fight some of the world's biggest challenges, such as Parkinson's disease.
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Nike Mags' design and style
The Nike MAG is a limited-edition shoe created by Nike Inc. It is a replica of a self-tying shoe featured in the film Back to the Future Part II. The Nike Mag was originally released for sale in 2011 and again in 2016, with both launches in limited quantities. The shoe features an electroluminescent outsole, space-age materials, and a rechargeable internal battery good for 3,000 hours. They are the first rechargeable footwear made by Nike. The shoe also features light-up panels and self-fastening laces.
The Nike Mag was designed by footwear innovator Tiffany Beers and Tinker Hatfield. Hatfield was inspired to create a shoe with self-lacing technology when he learned that basketball athletes were hurting their feet by lacing their shoes too tight. He wanted to create a shoe that would lace automatically to adjust to the wearer's foot. The self-lacing technology was named E.A.R.L. (Electro Adaptive Reactive Lacing).
The 2011 release of the Nike Mag was limited to 1,510 pairs, with 1,500 pairs auctioned on eBay. All proceeds from the auction were dedicated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's disease research. The 2016 release of the Nike Mag was limited to 89 pairs, and the shoes were offered through an online raffle. This release raised $6.7 million for Parkinson's research.
The Nike Mag is not meant for heavy activity and should not be worn for recreational purposes. They are considered an antique sneaker and are often found on auction and resale sites for tens of thousands of US dollars. However, Nike did release a self-lacing basketball shoe in 2019 for $350.
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Frequently asked questions
While Nike Mags are now considered collectibles, they were initially designed as basketball shoes. The original Nike Mags were designed with self-lacing technology to adjust to the wearer's foot and prevent athletes from hurting their feet by lacing their shoes too tight. Nike Mags are now considered antiques and are not meant for heavy activity or recreational use.
Nike has released several other basketball shoes, including the Nike Air Foamposite One 'Galaxy', the Nike Kobe 5 Anti Slip Wear Resistant Low Top Children's Basketball Shoes, and the Nike Air Foamposite One 'Eggplant'.
The Nike Mags were initially sold at auction for between US$10,600 and US$15,900. They can now be found on auction and resale sites for tens of thousands of US dollars.
