Back to the Future - Doc Brown's Nike Vandals (Mod Thread)

[BTTFSpencer]

In Back to the Future, Doc Brown wore Nike Vandal high tops whenever he was wearing the radiation suit. Being a bit of a sneaker head myself, I am interested in owning a pair of at the very least *close* replications.

I wonder if there are any of you out there who would be interested in having a pair as well.

Let's begin with some images:

















I would like some opinions on what colour these are, and what material they could have been. I believe Vandals came as canvas, nylon or leather. With a decent base shoe, some materials and leather paint, I think that I could make a pair that mimics what the originals were like.

More images would be very helpful.

Thanks for checking in.

 

[EmmaInCandyland]

It looks to be just some orange colour. I think the Nike swoosh was originally white. It looks to be painted on for some reasons. The shoes could have been completely white to start with actually. I would say the fabric might be nylon. It seemed to be more popular at the time?

 

[BTTFSpencer]

I think they were treated to look like the gum sole, whether originally from the factory or by the film production. I agree with you on the nylon.

 

[matt black]

I always thought they looked like brown suede.

 

[JLeezy23]

It looks to be just some orange colour. I think the Nike swoosh was originally white. It looks to bue painted on for some reasons. The shoes could have been completely white to start with actually. I would say the fabric might be nylon. It seemed to be more popular at the time?

The Nike Vandal comes with two-toned swooshes on the side, one inner color and then the outlined accent color. These particular colors are insanely rare (like moat of the BTTF items lol) Even the Nike 2011 MAG release event had a different color Vandal, stating they were the ones Doc wore. If that shoe company took their heads outta their sphincters, they would have the thought of releasing the Bruins, Vandals, and the MAGs this year to ensure mass sales, if only!

 

[Richard]

I learned something new today. I was 7 when Back To The Future was in theaters during the summer of '85. I saw BTTF during its 'home video' release. Since I was a kid, my dad wore similar shoes for work, (and as Doc Brown was working) I've always thought the shoes were work boots! I never thought about the possibility (not to sound like Christopher Lloyd) that they were sneakers and of course Nikes at that. :cool

Its threads like this why I enjoy being a fan and visiting RPF.

 

[BTTFSpencer]

I thought that they were work boots too. I'm glad you're enjoying it so far, Richard. There's still much to be done in this thread.

- - - Updated - - -

The Nike Vandal comes with two-toned swooshes on the side, one inner color and then the outlined accent color. These particular colors are insanely rare (like moat of the BTTF items lol) Even the Nike 2011 MAG release event had a different color Vandal, stating they were the ones Doc wore. If that shoe company took their heads outta their sphincters, they would have the thought of releasing the Bruins, Vandals, and the MAGs this year to ensure mass sales, if only!

You don't know that they're not going to... it's only the 3rd of January...

 

[JLeezy23]

Hopefully they surprise us like in 2011. Nike did take time out to replicate the Kyle Reese Vandals for the new Terminator movie, so they know theres a fanbase from 80s movies and are willing to please the fans

 

[formula388]

Subscribed, I was looking for these shoes for quite some time last year then I took a break and haven't went back to it.

 

[JLeezy23]

This close enough?
http://www.saledunk.org/Brown-Nike-Vandal-High-Canvasblue

 

[EmmaInCandyland]

Closest I found are these so far:

 

[BTTFSpencer]

I wish Doc's didn't have gum soles, then it wouldn't be so tough. Paint will just scrape off after wear. :'(

I have a feeling that in order to make a really accurate pair, we will need to kit bash in order to get the correct ankle strap.

If we could track down the accurate 1" nylon webbing (rather than the canvas webbing pictured in Emma's image), then I believe it would be the "simple" matter of removing the Nike tag and sewing it into the new webbing, as well as adding Velcro and swapping the buckle over to the new strap..,

I don't recommend a canvas pair, unless you're going for just a close enough type deal.

 

[BTTFSpencer]

Here's some webbing with pretty true looking grain variation, and it's not the correct width. :lol (1.25").

View attachment 421734

Same stuff as on Kyle Reese's Vandals from The Terminator.

View attachment 421735

 

[BTTFSpencer]

Right. I'm starting on this project.

Y'all should join me. I purchased a pair of vandals in my size (12), all leather with no detail. Just plain ol smooth white leather. I believe that the material that these sneakers were made from is likely suede, or nubuck. So far the only way I can see to make the leather appropriately textured is to use a Krylon product called "Make it Suede". I very much doubt that it would work, though, without cracking or making the material unwearable.

If anybody has any suggestions on how to replicate suede, let me know.

The colour... So far it looks like a saddle tan.

Like this:

If anyone has any ideas. Comment and we'll have a good brainstorming session. I don't want any of this, 1000 views and 2 comments business. Tip your hat forward and get in on this.

 

[MattgomeryBurns]

How's this coming along @BTTFSpencer?

 

[BTTFSpencer]

I did make a "prototype". They are leather, painted an orange/brown patina. Along my journey researching the Vandals I have discovered a few major things that I didn't know at the time of my posting, so I more or less scrapped the current project because I felt that it was too inaccurate.

I learned that the original shoes are Nylon (not leather) and a Pumpkin Orange (not brown) colour. Nike used an altered design for the Vandals in the 2000's, which is what my leather pair are, the difference is quite obvious when you compare the two. The original version is slimmer and just nicer in general...

Are you interested in making your own custom pair?

 

[MattgomeryBurns]

@BTTFSpencer I'm casually interested in finding the real life pair. I'm doing this DeLorean project for my dog for Halloween - he's gonna be Marty and I'll be Doc. I keep telling myself not to worry about being screen accurate for my costume, but then I start obsessing. I picked up a screen accurate tool pouch. Then yesterday I came across this on Instagram...

They exist somewhere out there!

 

[JLeezy23]

Dang so they are orange? I've never ever seen orange Vandals, original or re-released. Darn those camera filters! We can never settle on one solid color for BTTF items LOL

 

[Cam McFly]

So Kyle Reese and Doc Brown both wore Vandals? I guess time travelers must just have a thing for them...

 

[BTTFSpencer]

@BTTFSpencer I'm casually interested in finding the real life pair. I'm doing this DeLorean project for my dog for Halloween - he's gonna be Marty and I'll be Doc. I keep telling myself not to worry about being screen accurate for my costume, but then I start obsessing. I picked up a screen accurate tool pouch. Then yesterday I came across this on Instagram...

http://www.therpf.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=534888&stc=1
They exist somewhere out there!

HOLY ****** that is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!