In 2017, the Nike Cortez were celebrating anniversary of 45 years. One of Nike's most important silhouette shoes has been popular worldwide since its birth. Let's get to know the story of the classic Cortez, which really have a lot of the interesting details!

The official birth of Cortez shoes are considered to be 1972, but their prehistory shouldn't be forgotten. One of the founders of the Nike Company (first called BRS - Blue Ribbon Sports) Bill Bowermann developed runner boots that had a soft foam sole while working with Onitsuka Tiger. The racing culture grew, while Bowermann and Phill Knight increased the number of shoes ordered from Japan and, in 1967, renamed them to Mexico. The title was named by the Olympic Games, which had to take place in Mexico in 1968.

They wanted shoes to have more memorable name, and the 1968 shoes were re-renamed - this time Mexican history was used and runners got the exotic Aztec name, but it was used briefly. The developers were once again forced to change the name - due to excessive similarity to adidas Azteca Gold. This was the birth of a name that we know until now - Cortez. Symbolically, the shoes were named after the conqueror who destroyed Actecs, Hernan Cortes.

In 1971 the founders of the BRS decided to change the name of their company, and it was dictated by the Greek victorious goddess Nike. Onitsuka did not liked this step, and everything was decided in court until Cortez's rights were recognized to be Nike's property in 1974.

After a year, the shoes debuted at the Olympic Games and immediately received a lot of attention and popularity - with time it only grew and strengthened. In 1987 another Cortez boom arose - the actress Farah Fawcett was wearing them in Charlie's Angels TV show. After the debut on the tv, the sales have just burst!

But the biggest Cortez hit was in 1994, after the release of Forrest Gump movie, where the main character was running with Nike shoes in America.

Nike Cortez boots can be linked to the city of Los Angeles - where they became very popular and represented rap and street cultures. There are also less pleasant episodes in history - these shoes were especially liked by gangsters and gangs. They were even banned in some schools, and could have been be a source of big problems.

Shoes survived the colorful story and remain popular until these days - this is one of the models that has already left a very striking footprint in the history of sneakers!

Nike Cortez for men ➡ Nike Cortez for women ➡ 

Nike Cortez for men ➡ Nike Cortez for women ➡