GREAT SCOTT! HAS IT ALREADY BEEN 35 YEARS?? The 1985 classic, Back To The Future, has been exciting movie lovers for over three decades and continues to attract new generations of fans to the series. Not only has it made a significant impact on the world of cinema, but its influence reaches the sneaker community, as sneakerheads especially adore the film for McFly’s futuristic Nike MAG that he rocks in Back To The Future Part II. The film has sparked a slew of releases from Nike that take inspiration from the film and its characters. As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of this beloved series, we explore the sneakers made famous from the adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown.
Nike MAG (2016)
The Nike MAG made people do a double-take when it first appeared on the silver screen back in the late 1980s. The designer behind the coveted shoe, Tinker Hatfield, was originally tapped in 1985 by BTTF director, Robert Zemeckis, to mock up a sneaker that resembled the innovations of a distant 2015. What he and other Nike designers came up with was the self-lacing, light-up Nike MAG. Now, of course, the sneakers weren’t capable of any futuristic mechanisms at the time of production because the sneaker technology was not there yet. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and Nike released its first-ever retro of the Nike MAG in 2011. Hatfield and fellow Nike designer, Tiffany Beers, worked on the sneaker as a special release for Marty McFly actor, Michael J. Fox, and his Parkinson’s foundation. Although the sneaker received high praise and raised over $6 million, it was missing one major component: Self-Lacing.
Nike, a company founded around innovative design, made it a task to create self-lacing technology not just for the Nike MAG, but also for other models designed for special needs wearers unable to tie their shoes. In 2016, the Swoosh did just that and provided fans with an updated version of the Nike MAG. Similar to its first release, the updated MAG featured all of the same lighting functions as its 1989 version, including self-lacing capabilities that initiated once a foot was inserted into the shoe. Again, the sneaker release supported the Michael J. Fox’s foundation and raised $6.75 million. Today, the sneaker is the ultimate grail and distant dream for most sneakerheads and BTTF fans, currently reselling for $7oK on our site.
Nike Hyperdunk Marty McFly (2008)
In 2008, Nike released a Nike MAG-inspired Hyperdunk colorway to unveil the new basketball model. Inspired by the MAG sneaker, the Nike Hyperdunk silhouette release was met with a massive amount of fanfare because it was the closet thing to the then unrealistic MAG. This colorway released in limited quantities and had a special release in Los Angeles, featuring Kobe Bryant hopping out of a DeLorean. Although less expensive than the actual Nike MAG, this Hyperdunk will cost you over $1.7K.
Nike Dunk SB Low Marty McFly (2015)
The Nike SB Dunk has been getting a lot of love in 2020, with its resurgence due to new collaborations and colorways. But before the current Dunk hype, Nike dropped another Back To The Future homage with the SB Dunk Low Marty McFly. Celebrating the same year that Marty McFly traveled to save his family’s future, the sneaker uses the same color blocking of the beloved MAG. Equipped with solid grey and white uppers, speckled midsole, and famed translucent outsole, the Nike SB Marty McFly does the original colorway justice. Retailing for only $100, the Nike SB Dunk Low Marty McFly is reselling for over $400 on our site.
Nike Bruin Leather McFly (2015)
Even though the Nike MAG gets most of the attention, it was not the only Nike shoe worn by McFly in the series. Before our protagonist straps on the futurist sneakers, he rocks a pair of Nike Bruins. One of the first basketball shoes developed by Nike, the Bruin model, debuted on hardcourts in 1972. In 1985 and 1989, the Nike Bruin found its way onto the feet of Marty McFly as he time travels with his friend Doc Brown. Although it was less of a popular shoe back then, the Back To The Future series gave life to the then 13-year old sneaker and has since been retroed by in 2015. The shoe was made with high-quality leather uppers and sold for $110 retail. Today, you can’t find a pair for under $500.
Nike Vandal High Supreme Doc Brown (2016)
You can’t have Marty McFly without Doc Brown. The mad scientist from the series was also seen donning a pair of Nike shoes that weren’t the Nike MAGs. As Doc hopped in and out of his time-traveling DeLorean car, he sports a pair of Nike Vandals. Debuting in the 1980s, the Nike Vandal was a predecessor to the Nike Air Force 1 as the next, newly updated basketball sneaker. Similar to the Nike Bruin, the Back To The Future films contributed to the Vandal’s popularity, so much so that the model has been retroed many times since its release. In 2017, Nike brought back the sneaker in the same colorway worn by Doc himself, but of course, less beat up. Sporting an entirely orange canvas upper and white ankle strap, the Nike Vandal released for $130 on its drop date and can be found reselling on our site closer to $200.
Honorable Mention: Back To The Future Funko Pops
Yes, these aren’t sneakers, but these Back To The Future Funko Pops further prove the franchise’s lasting impact in popular culture. Funko Pops are the ideal way to show your fandom for your favorite characters, movies, and cultural figures. This set, featuring Marty McFly and Doc Brown will further show your love for the 35-year-old movie series.
