Nike Nike Cortez

The Nike Cortez is Nike's original running sneaker, which was designed by Olympic-class track coach and Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman back in 1972. Bowerman met his Nike co-founder Phil Knight at the University of Oregon, where Knight competed on the track and field team.

Coach Bill Bowerman felt athletes needed a comfortable and durable running shoe designed for distance training and road running, so crafted the Nike Cortez shoes to be lighter and more weatherproof than any other shoe.

After debuting his masterpiece at the 1972 summer Olympics, Bill Bowerman's Cortez instantly became an icon both on and off the track. The first silhouette to put the Swoosh in the spotlight, these athletic shoes have long outgrown their modest origins as a simple track trainer.

The classic Nike Cortez trainers feature a leather and synthetic leather construction for added durability. Foam midsoles provide lightweight cushioning, while rubber outsoles come with a herringbone pattern for supreme traction.

From the mean streets of Los Angeles to the Olympic Games, the Nike Cortez has earned its place as the ultimate retro runner and is an essential must-have for athletes and sneakerheads alike. These vintage kicks give off that old school vibe so you can conquer the track and run the streets in classic throwback style!