Debuting in '72. the same year Nike would be incorporated. the Cortez began as a track-star phenom that completely revolutionized footwear. before transitioning to a lifestyle icon. Worn by generations of icons from Prefontaine and Whitney Houston to Bella Hadid and Kendrick Lamar. the Cortez has quite the fan club. Crafted with a premium leather upper the laterals are accented by stark black Swooshes while retro hangtags land on the tongue. A pebbled leather tab complete with debossed logo wraps the heel while underfoot we find a foam midsole slightly elevated at the heel. Lastly. a herringbone tread tracks the length of the outsole.