The Nike Cortez Goes Tropical For Its “Since ’72” Colorway

Nike’s “Since ’72” push, a scattered line of colorways across half a dozen models, forefronts the brand’s half a century of experience in the footwear game, and the influence it’s accrued over that timespan. The theme has graced shoes from the Nike Dunk Low “Since ’72” to the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 “Since ’72,” so the history-stepped Nike Cortez makes for a no-brainer inclusion to the festivities.

The a retro company tag on the insole is the main uniter across each “Since ’72” drop. Bearing simplified cursive and block lettering, it’s meant to throw the consumer back to the very beginnings of the company. That retro spin is mirrored on the tongue tag and heel tab, eschewing the modern Nike logo and instead opting for similarly boiled down trademarks.

Of course, regardless of their ties to Nike history, the shoes have to look good at the end of the day. The “Since ’72” take on the Nike Cortez is a tropical mix of teal and “Coconut Milk,” a breezy formulation that imparts both easily wearable neutrality a bit of vibrant flair. Within those confines, there’s still room to aesthetically communicate the aged concept, the “Pale Vanilla” midsole and gum outsole the sections that do so strongest.

The Nike Cortez “Since ’72” will be a women’s release, likely rolling out in the coming weeks as SS24 kicks off in earnest.

For a different kind of retro, take a look at the Nike Air Max 1 “Royal Volt” set to drop on Air Max Day.

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