Nike Cortez Basic Leather review
90
Great!
4.5 / 5
from
14,291 users
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all sneakers.
Verdict from 100+ users
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Well-padded inside
- “Easy to break-in”
- Stylish
- Comfortable for long wearing
- Affordable
Cons
- Some wearers have noted that the thick padding and zero perforations in the shoe make the feet sweat especially in warm weather
- The Cortez Basic Leather has a tight toe box, which is the reason for the complaints of many buyers
Any color
Men
Women
73% say it's true to size.
Amazon
$170
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
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Rankings
- Top 27% in sneakers
- Top 19% in Nike sneakers
Comparison to similar sneakers
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Table of contents Best PricesCoreScoreVerdictProsConsComparisonWho should buy Nike Cortez Basic LeatherFreedom of movementPremium feel and durabilityComfort for the footGreat grip of CortezHistory of Nike Cortez Basic LeatherFacts / SpecsPopularity
Overview
Who should buy Nike Cortez Basic Leather
This low-top Nike Cortez Basic Leather model complements everyday clothes such as plain colored tops, skinny jeans, shorts, and joggers and is a great choice if you want to sport around and look good in this pair.
Freedom of movement
The low-cut collar gives freedom of movement to the ankle.
Premium feel and durability
The Cortez Basic Leather upper is built with full-grain leather which makes it durable and offers a premium feel. This material provides support for the foot when in motion.
Comfort for the foot
This running-inspired sneaker is well-padded inside which makes it very comfortable for the feet. As a whole, the Cortez Basic Leather maintains its vintage silhouette but has a more comfortable foam midsole that acts as a cushion for the foot.
Great grip of Cortez
The herringbone tread is also to be noted as it adds to the grip of the foot.
History of Nike Cortez Basic Leather
It all started way back in the trunk of Phil Knight’s car. It was a combination of Knight’s search to make a living without giving up athletics and Bill Bowerman’s quest for the best racing shoes. As Knight went to Japan in 1963, he was able to meet up with a famous Japanese running shoe manufacturer, Tiger, a subsidiary of the Onitsuka Company. Both parties invested $500 in selling some pairs in the US under Blue Ribbon Sports, Knight’s representation.
The Nike Cortez became a hit during the 1972 Munich Olympics. Yet Bowerman continued to improve the shoe by changing the leather upper to nylon. This was then called the Nike Nylon Cortez, the world’s fastest running shoe. But Bowerman did not stop there. A more updated version featured a better leather upper plus the foam midsole for comfort. And this is the low-top Nike Cortez Basic Leather.
Though this shoe is running-inspired, people see it more as lifestyle footwear that is versatile. It is an icon with interesting colorways that sneakerheads continue to tune in for more developments in the future.
Facts / Specs
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