This special release of the Cortez is a tribute to the shoe’s early origins, back before the Swoosh became the Swoosh. Nike’s history is riddled with benchmark stories and critical turning points. As such, you can imagine the number of times that drama – corporate or otherwise – found its way into the brand’s workings. Yet, this release reminds us that it all started on the track.
Kenny Moore, the collection’s namesake, was a long distance runner and pupil of Bill Bowerman. An elite athlete himself, Moore was running in an Onitsuka Tiger model when he suffered an injury. Bowerman took the shoe and added some support features, eventually resulting in what we now know as the Nike Cortez.
This collection, including some really unique takes on the shoe, is also a love letter to one of the footwear staples of hip hop. Looks include a tonal Blue pair that sports a hairy suede build and an All White model that replaces the lateral Swoosh with Moore’s stamp of approval. We even see a loud Yellow iteration that features Teal contrasts and a “KM” inscription on the insole.
As with a lot of Nike releases, you’re likely to be wearing some history on your feet if you’re a Swoosh fan. If not, the Nike Cortez Kenny Moore collection is a great place to start.