The Nike Air Tech Challenge 2 “Back to the Future” Mag will release on September 4th. It features a Photon Dust/Dusty Cactus-Picante Red-White colorway and has an MSRP of $170 USD. You can purchase these shoes directly from Nike (SKU: IX4084-025).
For the 2026 US Open, Nike is giving the classic Air Tech Challenge 2 tennis shoe a makeover inspired by Back to the Future. They’re using the same grey and blue colors as Marty McFly’s iconic Nike Mag shoes. This combines a beloved pop culture moment with a historically significant tennis shoe design.
The shoe’s upper features a Photon Dust color, complemented by accents of White, Dusty Cactus, Picante Red, Sundial, and Blue Tint for a textured look. Speckled details on the sides enhance durability around the Mag-inspired connection points, and blue Nike branding on the heel nods to the iconic movie version. The design subtly references its inspiration through color rather than relying on flashy features.
Nike has explored this design approach before, recently using it on their Vapor 12 Hypersmash tennis shoe. This Air Tech Challenge 2 features a similar color scheme, but what makes it special is the material used – canvas. The Air Tech Challenge 2 is strongly associated with Andre Agassi and the bold style of ’90s tennis shoes, when looking good on the court was just as important as playing well. Combining that heritage with the look of Back to the Future brings together two iconic moments for Nike: one from the world of film, and one from competitive sports.
Combining these two iconic shoes makes this release feel more significant than just a themed pair. The Nike Mag is legendary, and the Air Tech Challenge 2 is instantly recognizable as a classic tennis shoe. Launching them together at a major American sporting event feels like the perfect time for this exciting collaboration.
2026-07-22 10:26