Nike Cortez

0 Produkte
Zur Ergebnisliste springen

Filtern & Sortieren

Keine Produkte gefunden.

Versuche, weniger Filter zu verwenden oder alle Filter zu löschen.

Nike Cortez

The Nike Cortez is not just a sneaker; it's a cultural icon. From its origins in the 60s as a running shoe to its evolution into a lifestyle favorite, the Cortez has played various roles in fashion, music, and film over the decades. But how did this classic sneaker come to be? And why does the Cortez remain such a timeless favorite?

The History of the Nike Cortez

The story of the Nike Cortez begins with Bill Bowerman, the man who not only created the Nike Cortez but was also a co-founder of Nike. As a running coach, Bowerman worked closely with the Japanese company Onitsuka Tiger, which later became Asics, to develop a running shoe. The result? The TG-24, released in 1966, became one of the best-selling running shoes of that year.

From TG-24 to Cortez

Originally, the TG-24 was meant for athletes, but Bill Bowerman wanted to make the name more market-friendly. In 1967, he changed the name to Mexico, in honor of the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico. After some legal issues with rival Adidas over the name "Aztec", Bowerman chose the name Cortez, after Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador responsible for the fall of the Aztec Empire. This was a bold move, but also a brilliant marketing trick.

Nike vs. Onitsuka Tiger: The Lawsuit

In 1971, the company changed its name to Nike, inspired by the Greek goddess of victory, and launched their own line with the Nike Cortez. The famous Swoosh, designed by Carolyn Davidson, was added to the shoe. However, this led to a fierce lawsuit with Onitsuka Tiger over the rights to the Cortez name. In 1974, the court ruled in favor of Nike, forcing Onitsuka Tiger to rename their shoes to the Tiger Corsair.

Impact on the Streets

What truly made the Nike Cortez legendary was the way it found its way into pop culture. In the 80s, the Cortez became particularly popular in the hip-hop and gangster rap scene. The model was nicknamed "Dopeman's Nikes", named after the song "Dopeman" by N.W.A. from 1987, and became a symbol of street culture. The different colors of Cortez were associated with different gangs, with the Bloods wearing red and the Crips wearing blue. The Cortez became so notorious that in the early 90s, it was banned in schools due to its connection with gangs. The infamous MS-13 gang even adopted the Cortez as part of their uniform.

The "Forrest Gump" Moment

In 1994, Forrest Gump gave the Nike Cortez the ultimate breakthrough. In the film, Forrest receives the Cortez as a gift, calling the shoes “The best gift anyone could ever give me!”. This caused a huge surge in popularity, and the Cortez became a global phenomenon once again. Since then, the sneaker has become a cultural symbol, not only in the film industry but also in fashion.

More Legendary Models

At Relisted, you'll find more than just these sneakers. We have all kinds of Nike models in our collection. Some of these sneakers are now essential in today's streetwear scene. So, take a quick look at some of our models below:

Order Your Iconic Nike Cortez at Relisted

Excited about the Nike Cortez? Then you’ve come to the right place at Relisted. We have various colorways available to expand your collection. Order your favorite pair quickly and take advantage of our reliable and transparent service. We ensure that you’ll enjoy your new sneakers in no time, and our customer team is always ready to assist with any advice or questions.