Nike Adds A Removable Zippered Tongue Shroud To The Cortez

The Nike Cortez had a quiet 50th anniversary, but the Swoosh is making up for an uneventful 2022 by offering the design in bold new styles throughout 2023.

Recently, the vintage running silhouette emerged in a split “White” and “Black” color scheme. The pair’s “yin-and-yang” color blocking is experimental in its own right, sharing semblance with CLOT’s kung-fu-inspired, two-tone ”CLOTEZ” from February. Yet, it’s the sneakers’ non-standard zippered lace guards that demand all attention.

Perhaps an ode to past collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, the upcoming Nike Cortez features large zippered attachments atop the laces. Inner sides take on a “Black” finish while opposite ends indulge in a clean “White” finish that’s associated with the original Cortez. The split color arrangement also lands on the shoes’ upper and inner lining, driving home the “yin-and-yang” concept. Additionally, the Cortez features untraditional pull tabs at the spine, further expanding the 51-year-old design’s roster.

Enjoy official photos of the pair ahead, and anticipate a nike.com launch before summer ends.

In other news, the ALD New Balance 1906R is set for a release on May 4th.