Quick Facts
- Nike is celebrating the US Open with a Back to the Future-themed Air Tech Challenge 2
- The pair features a color palette similar to the famous Nike Mag from the second film in the franchise
- Expect a release Fall 2026
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Back in 1989, Robert Zemeckis envisioned a future full of flying cars, hoverboards, self-lacing Nike shoes, and time-traveling villains with sports almanacs in the classic film Back to the Future Part II. The first film in the franchise hit theaters in 1985 and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with an IMAX re-release; however, sneakerheads are primarily interested in the second film due to the Nike Mag. The self-lacing sneaker has gone on to inspire dozens of copycat colorways across Nike’s catalog, and it will be referenced once again in 2026 with a new Nike Air Tech Challenge 2.
Dubbed “Back to the US Open,” this brand-new Nike Air Tech Challenge 2 is directly inspired by the Nike Mag and the famous DeLorean that Marty McFly and Doc Brown use to traverse time and space. Most of the upper is coated in a grey that matches both the car and sneaker, while the orange-red taillights are represented by the Nike Air logo on the tongue. Stark white is used for the Swoosh on the midfoot, while we see a Nike Mag-adjacent blue on the Nike Air logo on the heel and the speckled finish on the heel and forefoot. Finishing touches include a greyscale midsole with splatter paint details and a grey and icy blue outsole.
Nike brought back Andre Agassi’s Nike Air Tech Challenge 2 with a pre-aged version of the original Hot Lava colorway at the end of 2024, and since then, the model has seen a handful of different releases. This includes retros of the once-women’s-exclusive Racer Pink, the Stone Blue, and the Pixel Court colorways. Unfortunately, it looks like the Air Tech Challenge 2 won’t have as many releases in 2026 as this is the only planned colorway so far.
The Nike Air Tech Challenge 2 Back to the US Open will be released Fall 2026 through Nike and select NYC retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $170. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app for updates on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker world.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
