Update: 10/21/15, 3:30 p.m. ET: The Michael J. Fox Foundation has confirmed the self-lacing Nike Mag sneakers will be released in 2016.
Marty McFly's self-lacing Nikes from Back to the Future are finally real.
Nike has confirmed to Mashable the "first pair of self-lacing Nike Mag shoes is in New York City." The company didn't provide further details as to the sneakers' precise whereabouts in the city, but they're sure to turn up soon enough.
Nike first teased the self-lacing sneakers on Tuesday ahead of Back to the Future day, when it sent a tweet at Michael J. Fox, the actor who played Marty McFly in the movies:
.@realmikefox see you tomorrow.— Nike (@Nike) October 21, 2015
CNBC correspondent Sarah Eisen also confirmed the news early on Wednesday:
This is major: A source at Nike confirms to me the first pair of self-lacing Nike Mag shoes are in NYC. $nke #backtothefuture #mag— Sara Eisen (@SaraEisen) October 21, 2015
Keep in mind we don't know exactly what these are, or whether they'll be anything other than a one-off stunt (although "first" strongly implies there will be more than one pair). Most likely, the official "Nike Mags" will look very similar to the ones the company produced in 2011 to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation, just with, you know, power laces!
Since Back to the Future 2's theatrical release in 1989, fans and sneakerheads have been pining for self-lacing Nikes. Because who actually enjoys tying their sneakers? Nobody, that's who.
Update 1: 10/21/15, 2:15 p.m. ET:
Michael J. Fox tweeted this letter from legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, which clearly states he will get the "first" pair of the new Nike Mag sneakers, and that Nike is "creating more pairs in aid of the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2016."
The letter I received from Tinker today. Thanks @Nike pic.twitter.com/UIolXrkUVC— Michael J. Fox (@realmikefox) October 21, 2015
Update 2: 10/21/15, 3:30 p.m. ET: The Michael J. Fox Foundation tweeted this photo of Fox wearing the self-lacing Nike Mag sneakers while simultaneously confirming the 2016 release date. It looks like they also light up.
This is real. This is today. Coming spring 2016. cc: @RealMikeFox @Nike pic.twitter.com/KPswXNojvA— michaeljfox.org (@MichaelJFoxOrg) October 21, 2015
Update 3: 10/21/15, 4:32 p.m. ET: The Michael J. Fox Foundation tweeted a video of the sneakers. Look, they make sounds!
Michael J. Fox models the first self-lacing @Nike Mag pic.twitter.com/bgPWM5CKBE— michaeljfox.org (@MichaelJFoxOrg) October 21, 2015