When 1,500 pairs of Nike Air MAG were auctioned off in 2011 were selling like hotcakes, the Oregon-based shoe manufacturer knows it’s got a virtual cash cow on its hands. It was cool and all, but Nike kinda cheated with that one because it wasn’t the same pair Michael J. Fox rocked as Marty McFly in the 1988 film, Back to the Future II. You know why? The technology about the self-lacing shoes won’t come until 2015. And when you have to lace the shoes before you step out of the house, well, the coolness factor isn’t just there.
Shoes To Consider If You Can’t Afford The Nike Air MAG
Now, let me tell you how much a pair of self-lacing Nike Air MAG costs. In a recent charity auction in Hong Kong, the average price each pair fetched was a cool $100,000. To be fair, only 89 pairs were presented for sale. The price will probably come down if ever the company decides to sell these commercially, but it’s still going to cost an arm and leg. If a pair of Yeezy 350 Boost can fetch about $700, or if the Eminem-designed Jordan IIs will get around $3,500 in the market, what do you think is the asking price for a nostalgic self-lacing shoe?
Chances are you won’t probably afford it. Luckily, we have a few alternatives to the Nike Air MAG that’s well within the budget and maybe just as cool, you know, if you just squint your eyes real hard.
1. Nike SB Dunk Low “McFly”
Image via Slam City
With a name like “McFly,” Nike doesn’t even try to hide its intention here. This shoe is inspired by the Nike Air MAG at a very affordable cost. You can buy one on Amazon from a low of $100 to around $300. You can still pretend to be Martin McFly with these kicks, but no hoverboard for you.
2. Nike Air Max 90 Ultra SE
Image via Nike
It would be much more accurate to call the Air Max 90 as the Air Max III. The Air Max is a brand rich in history, in terms of the NBA superstars who rocked these bad boys. Here are just some of the names at the top of our heads: Penny Hardaway, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Pau Gasol, Tim Duncan, Mitch Richmond and of course, Lebron James. The above photo replicates the color schemes for the Nike Air MAG and sells for about a hundred bucks.
3. Nike Marxman
Image via Nike
This is a poor man’s version of the Nike Air MAG for sure. And it’s also one of those things that have no middle ground. It’s either you like it or you don’t. A pair is priced at $110 so you decide if it’s a value for money or not.
4. Knitted Nike Air MAG by Fuggit
Image via Baller Status
Okay, don’t lynch me. I’m only half-kidding here. These are actually comfortable to wear in the dead of winter while you’re just inside the house drinking a cup of hot coffee and watching on your big screen TV. Plus, it’s a nice conversation piece when you do get the excuse to bring these at work. They are not exactly cheap, though, since they cost around 90 bucks. Well, you can always learn to knit.
5. Yeezy Boost 750
Image via The Good Will Out
Remember about squinting your eyes real hard? Well, this is that time. One look at it, and you know it’s very hard to disassociate it from a pair of UGG boots. Nevertheless, it comes with a hefty price tag since you need to shell out a grand for these at online auction sites.
Well, if you are ambivalent about this shoe. Watch this clip from Kicks On Fire about somebody unboxing the product from Kanye West and make your decision:
Like I always say, poverty is the mother of invention. If you really can’t afford a pair of Nike Air MAG, you can always go to the NIKEiD store, choose your desired shoes and just let your creativity flow. Really, it’s no use splurging on a pair of shoes on an amount which can already buy a Porsche 911, Corvette Stingray or a Viper SRT.
Here is another style article you might enjoy which can help you with your swag. Which shoe would you consider? Tell me in the comments below.
Featured Image via Nice Kicks
