Celebrate 45 Years of Nike Cortez With The Classic Sneaker’s Freshest New Looks

Even Forrest Gump rocked these legendary kicks.

The Nike Cortez first hit shelves 45 years ago, offering runners a uniquely lightweight sneaker, and blessing O.G. sneakerheads with one of the very first streetwear classics.

Its imprint is recognizable in television and film: a skateboard-riding Farrah Fawcett rocked the red, white and blue sneaker in an episode of Charlie’s Angels, and the 1972-issue Nike Cortez even had screen time in Forrest Gump, which later inspired the red-white-and-blue reboots to be marketed as, yep, “Forrest Gumps”.

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In honor of its 45th anniversary, Nike is delivering and impressive lineup of new Nike Cortez styles and dropping collaborations with brands like Nordstrom. The sneaker behemoth has even conscripted “it girl” Bella Hadid to introduce them to a new streetwear-crazed generation.

The first reboot was the “Nike Cortez OG.” It looks nearly identical to the 1972 original save for a more durable leather upper, a lower-cut fit around the ankle and improves cushioning. 

It retails for $80 but is currently sold out.

But wait! A new-and-improved Nike Cortez Flyknit is on the way. While the original design is in tact, Nike has brilliantly tailored the Cortez to 2017 with its buzzy “Flyknit material.” It is available in the original red, white and blue colorway or black and white.

Price points and release date are still undetermined.

The most recent model to be introduced is Nike Cortez “Blue Jay.” It does away with the red finishes and is available through third-party retailers like Foot District for about $100.

There’s way more ways to mark the Cortez’s 45th birthday and pick up a fresh new pair. Nike has a whole host of colorways available in its online store, all for around $100.