The Enduring Popularity of Nike Cortez Sneakers Show Vintage-Inspired Fashion Is Forever
The most successful sneaker of the '70s turns 45 today and between appearances on celebrities, features in movie sets, and references in songs, the iconic shoe has one of the most enduring legacies in footwear history.
The enduring popularity of the Nike Cortez sneaker began back in 1972 when the style became the official shoe of the Munich Olympics. Initially, the athletics label called the sneaker "Mexico," but a short while later, they decided on the name "Cortez," which referenced Hernan Cortés, the infamous Spanish conquistador responsible for the fall of the Aztec Empire. Launched as a long-distance performance running shoe and marketed towards marathon runners, the sneaker's initial purpose was to provide comfort for runners and protect the Achilles' heel. The shoe did just that—shortly after its debut, it went down in history as "the most comfortable running shoe ever." Nike's innovative design, which culminated in a spikeless running shoe with the goal of reducing runners' times and providing maximum comfort, ended up completely redefining athletic footwear. The sneaker has provided inspiration for other sports as well, and has influenced nearly every aspect of the Nike BRSB, a shoe designed for skateboarding that took design cues from the original Nike Cortez.
The Nike Cortez sneakers quickly became iconic in the world of cinema, as seen on the feet of Farrah Fawcett in the cult classic film, Charlie's Angeles, in the iconic skate scene. In 2017, Nike recreated this scene in a now-legendary campaign with supermodel and fashion icon Bella Hadid. Nike Cortez shoes also made a memorable appearance in 1994 in yet another revered film, Forrest Gump. Their feature prompted one of the most famous quotes from the film—"Mom always said that you can understand many things about a person by their shoes, where they go, where they have been." Since their introduction, Nike Cortez sneakers have been nothing less than iconic, and in summer 2024, they remain a sartorial staple in the closets of the fashion-forward all around the world. They have remained especially popular among those who favor vintage-inspired styles, as the silhouette and classic Nike swoosh have kept the same '70s-style appearance since the first Nike Cortez launch.
The Nike Cortez is also a popular shoe style among revered celebrities, models, and style influencers, including Alexa Chung, Emily Ratajkowski, and model Martha Hunt. At a London red carpet premiere, Kristen Stewart created an iconic moment in pop culture history when she took off her stilettos on the red carpet and slipped on a beloved pair of black and white Nike Cortez sneakers instead. Kaia Gerber has also worn Nike Cortez shoes on more than a few occasions, and the sneakers have earned a regular spot in her off-duty model looks during fashion week.
