Launched in 1972, the Nike Cortez was designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman to be the lightest, most comfortable, and fastest-running shoe on the market. It wasn’t long before the silhouette became the most popular of its kind in the USA, and cemented itself as a legend. Now, over 50 years later it’s just as iconic as ever.

Skip ahead to 1994, the shoe shot to fame once more when it was featured in the Hollywood blockbuster, ‘Forrest Gump’ – you may have heard of it. Dressed in white with ‘Varsity Red’ and ‘Blue’ accents, the Cortez and Forrest Gump went together like the Nike Mag and Marty McFly, the Samba Super and Mark Renton, and of course, the Air Jordan 2 and Bill Murray. Forrest, or Tom Hanks, showed just what the Cortez was made for by embarking on a 15,000- mile cross-country run. The colourway is so synonymous with the movie that in 2018 it was renamed the ‘Forrest Gump’.

Celebrating the movie’s 30th birthday, Nike re-release the OG Cortez, arriving in its white leather upper this updated version features modern retooling with firmer side panels and a wider toe box than its predecessor. Other than that, it’s the same shoe Jenny gifted Forrest three decades ago. The bold ‘Varsity Red’ accents invigorate the tongue branding, heel tab and Swoosh, while the blue-stroked wedged midsole is supported by a rubber herringbone base. Perfection.  

The Nike Cortez ‘Forrest Gump’ 2024 edition is now available to shop at size? – “Run Forrest, Run” before you miss out.