Nike Cortez "Los Angeles" Salutes the City That Made It Iconic

Long a worldwide staple, but one with especially rich roots in Los Angeles, Nike‘s Cortez is now saluting the city that made it iconic with a new “Los Angeles” makeup. Offering a City of Angels-centric color scheme and special details the “Los Angeles” is all about the West Coast, from the tip-top of its upper to the lowest groove on its toothed herringbone outsole.

Originally released in 1972 for the Olympic Games, the Cortez is considered by many to be the first “modern” running shoe. However, in the years since it’s become a style staple thanks to its unique, slim shape and no-frills build. On the West Coast it’s often worn with tube socks and shorts — a sartorial setup that was cleverly acknowledged by Kendrick Lamar in a 2018 “House Shoes” collaboration — and here it’s designed to fit seamlessly into that classic look, dressed in a crisp white leather with rich Los Angeles Dodgers blue Swooshes, heel tabs and collar liners.

The signature detail arrives via a large red “Los Angeles” graphic, embroidered in flowing script across the lateral midfoot and forefoot. This Los Angeles Clippers-like dash of flair is furthered by a special “LA” graphic on the nylon tongue. Old school silver lace deubres, two-tone white and blue midsoles and white herringbone outsoles round off the look.

The Nike Cortez “Los Angeles” is set to release via the Nike webstore and retailers like Nice Kicks come February 1, and is priced at $90 USD.

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