It only took the public 27 patient years of waiting, but Nike has made good on their promise of self-lacing shoes featured in Back to the Future 2. On November 28th, the shoes, christened the “HyperAdapt,” will be hitting the shelves of select retailers, available to regular non-future folks like you and me.
The shoes, made famous by Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly, really do seem like something out of the future, even decades later in 2016. They have a pressure sensor in the heel of the shoe. When you step into the shoe, your heel hits the sensor, the shoe runs its very own algorithm(!) telling the fishing-line cable laces how much to tighten. If the algorithm leaves you wanting a little more or less pressure from the laces, there are a couple buttons on the tongue that will let you manually adjust tightness.
Here’s a tweet from Nike’s PR director shedding a little more light on the look of the shoes and the release details:
And while they might not look like the uber-high high-tops from the film, they certainly embody the spirit of “Power Laces.”
Take a look at the shoes as imagined back in 1989 versus their 2016 real-world application:
The future is now.
But before you get too excited, getting yourself a pair or buying a pair as a holiday gift won’t be as simple as strolling into your local shoe store and asking for your size. Releases like this are generally limited, which is to say that there almost certainly won’t be enough pairs to match demand. So you’ll have to move quickly, possibly waiting in line for hours before shoe stores open to get a crack at them. Or you can try your hand buying them on the secondary market for a big mark-up.
Which leads us to the biggest question still remaining – the price.
Nike has remained mum on how much these iconic sneakers will actually cost, so while they might be “available to the public” in spirit, the reality might be that they’re “available to the public” the same way courtside Lakers tickets or a Rolls-Royce Phantom are available, which is to say...expensive. Adding to the speculation and fear of a steep release price is the fact that there’s very little discussion on the Internet as regards price, suggesting that no one has a clue what these things could cost. But you hear the words “future,” “pressure sensor,” and “algorithm,” and “cheap” doesn’t really come to mind.
In any event, the shoes of the future are almost here, and they will be available to those motivated (and possibly rich) enough to acquire them. And, maybe sometime after that, the rest of us.
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.