The Nike Cortez '23 Has Been Prepared in "Velvet Brown"

A modern take on a historical silhouette.

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Serving as a key part of Nike’s foundation in footwear, the Cortez has a storied history — and with that — has evolved over time. Now, with the Cortez ‘23, the design has been refreshed to suit daily wear with a wider toe area and firmer side panels. Following up on a “Sail/Aloe Vera” that was revealed in December of last year in an appearance reminiscent of the J. Crew x Nike Killshot, we’ve now been offered a look at a “Velvet Brown” rendition.

Starring in dark brown hues with hits of black, the colorway favors a darker-than-usual presentation. Its suede upper begins with a chocolate brown base as “Baroque Brown” overlays offer a lighter shade next to the black leather Swooshes and laces. The silhouette’s signature herringbone-patterned sole in black is broken up with a slice of “Baroque Brown” towards the heel, completing the throwback look.

While a release date for the Nike Cortez ‘23 “Velvet Brown” has not yet been shared, it has been confirmed as a size? exclusive. Enjoy an official look at the pair above and stay tuned for more launch information.

For more in the busy world of footwear, be sure to check out the return of Nike ACG’s Mountain Fly GORE-TEX “Khaki.”

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Logan Fairbrother Associate Editor

Logan Fairbrother is a writer who spent four years at Hypebeast, where he led the footwear vertical and spearheaded the weekly “Best Footwear Drops” franchise. Based in Portland, OR, his work centered on industry analysis and product storytelling, extending into fashion and gaming, with a focus on how products are positioned and resonate within culture.

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