Nike Cortez: a Nike classic from 1972
According to Nike, the Nike Cortez debuted in 1972. The model has a foam midsole with a distinctive wedge-shaped insert and a herringbone-pattern outsole. Nike also mentions a padded collar in its descriptions of the Cortez Leather and women's Cortez. You can find other Nike classics in the collections Nike and Nike Air Force 1, and sacai models in the Nike x sacai.
Are Nike Cortez shoes comfortable?
Comfort depends on the construction. For the updated Cortez, Nike describes a wider toe box for a more comfortable fit, firmer side panels to stabilize the foot, and a reinforced upper designed to limit distortion, creasing, and scuffing. Nike says the foam midsole with a wedge-shaped insert makes the shoes comfortable for everyday wear.
Nike Cortez models in the collection
How do the Nike Cortez versions differ?
Mainly in the upper. According to Nike, the Cortez Leather has a leather upper that softens over time and develops a vintage character, as in the Forrest Gump version (FZ1347-100), with a padded, low-cut collar. Nike says the Cortez Textile (TXT) has a nylon upper with suede inserts. The pair listed in the collection as Nylon Midnight Navy White (DZ2795-400) is also a Cortez Textile, according to Nike. According to Sneaker Freaker, the Cortez Nylon is a version with a nylon upper and suede panels on the toe and heel.
Classic colorways: white Forrest Gump (2024) and Leather Summit White Light Silver, black Basic Black White (2023) and Leather Black White, brown Baroque Brown, Cacao Wow and Light Orewood Brown, beige Leather Sesame Sail, green Gorge Green Yellow Ochre, red Picante Red and Red Stardust Cedar, and navy Nylon Midnight Navy White. Textile versions include Glacier Blue, Royal Pulse White Black Fir, and Yellow Ochre Gorge Green, as well as the pink TXT Medium Soft Pink Sail and Beyond Pink Blue Void.
Cortez Vintage comes in the Muslin Black, Medium Curry and Pink Foam colorways. Special editions include 23 Premium Black Sail, PRM Great Outdoors Triple Black and the 2024 and 2025 Valentine's Day editions.
W The collection includes men's and women's models. Women's Nike styles include pairs with style codes DN1791 (Cortez Leather) and DZ2795 (Cortez Textile).
Nike Cortez Collaborations
W The collection includes pairs from Union (Lemon Frost, Light Smoke Grey, Off Noir and Sesame), CLOT and sacai. The sacai x Nike Cortez 4.0, which Nike calls the Zoom Cortez x sacai, features doubled elements, including two collars, two tongues and two Swooshes, as well as a visible Zoom Air unit in the forefoot, according to Nice Kicks. Sneaker News describes the sole as having a heel protrusion typical of sacai. W The collection includes two versions: White University Red Blue and Iron Grey.
Nike Cortez Sizing
On the Cortez Leather (e.g. DM4044-001, listed in the collection as Basic Black White) and Cortez Textile (e.g. DZ2795-100) pages, Nike says the model runs small and recommends ordering half a size up. Some pages, including the Cortez Forrest Gump (FZ1347-100), don't include this note, and we couldn't find Nike's sizing advice for the sacai x Nike Cortez 4.0. Most pairs in the collection are available from size 36 EU, and product pages list sizes in EU sizing. If you're unsure which size to choose, contact us before placing your order.
Why Buy Nike Cortez from Saturaise
Every pair at Saturaise is authentic and covered by an authenticity guarantee. W The collection brings together leather and textile Cortez styles, women's and men's models, and collaborations with Union, CLOT and sacai, making it easy to compare different versions of the model in one place.
