Nike Wants to Take Shoes Back to the Future

Remember Michael J. Fox’s futuristic, self-tying shoes in Back to the Future Part II?

Nike, whose logo appeared on those shoes, is reportedly working on sneakers that come with an automatic lacing system just like the ones in the movie. The company apparently filed a patent in 2009 for self-lacing sneakers that feature straps that run over the top of the foot and around the ankle as well as a button near the heel. The straps open and close to switch between a tight or loosened position when the button is pushed.

The system is driven by a tiny, battery-powered motor in the heel. {Daily Mail}

The New York Daily News obtained documents filed by Nike in regards to the high tech kicks, and an accompanying diagram shows the sneakers will likely be high tops.

It looks like the real 2015, the year Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) transports to in the popular 1980s film, might be quite like the movie version of the year, as a hoverboard that floats in mid-air much like the one in Back to the Future was also developed earlier this year. The hoverboard operated using electromagnets and lasers but had limited movement range and weight capacity. Its creator is reportedly working on a better version. {Daily Mail}

We wonder just how much Nike’s fancy automatic sneakers will cost if they hit the mass market – not to mention how long the small battery used to operate them will last. On the down side, if you think it’s difficult teaching kids to tie their shoes now, if these actually come to fruition they may never learn! Okay, so it may not be that extreme, but we can see some parents wanting to hang on to the nostalgic milestone of a child learning to tie their laces, but what about you? Would self-lacing shoes be on your 2015 wishlist if available?