Explore with a Cortez Classic
by - Written: Sep 29 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A classic returns
Cons: Slow in getting all the styles out...
The Bottom Line: An old favorite returns
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| kurt_h's Full Review: Nike Running Air Cortez |
I didn't see where Epinions had the return of the Nike Cortez Classic, so I figure that they are running it under the much more modern name of the Air Cortez. I will gladly move this review to wherever the Cortez Classic shows up. Until then I will let this review, as such, sit here...
For me the Nike Cortez was the first modern, all-purpose sneaker that could be put into use for just about anything. The old canvas type sneakers just couldn't hold up on camping trips... a few dunks in swamps followed by hours in a hot canoe and the canvas would just pucker and wrinkle and feel absolutely horrible. The mesh fabric Cortez was an absolute must for me when I was growing up as it allowed my feet to breathe and cool off even under the hottest of circumstances. A nice hour or so run could be followed by a shower and the old Cortez would have aired out and cooled down enough to actually feel comfortable. And as I didn't own more than two pairs of sneakers, and one pair of shoes, this was a MUST.
Beyond that the fake suede fabric that gently spread out from the bottom of the eyelets and down to the sole covered my big toe area which would always wear out in a pure mesh sneaker. There was nothing worse than having the toenail catch while running on a pure mesh sneaker (like my later New Balance 760s). The fake suede re-inforcement at the heel was also a definitive plus compared to the all-canvas/all-mesh counterparts of the mid-1970's as it gave necessary heel support. While this may be considered a 'given' on any modern athletic footgear, at the time it was rather novel and quickly copied by competitors. My first pair of Cortez sneakers were size 9s and they were followed by a pair of 11s. The Cortez original line was followed by the somewhat less popular Nike Oceania (37th on the all time list) and Oceania II, two pairs of which have lasted me over 20 years with a single re-soling.
Nike and other companies are finally bringing back old and popular sneakers which may be classed as running shoes (and do a fine job for that) but are really more general purpose sneakers. The original Nike Cortez was the fifth most popular sneaker, by sales amount, ever and I hope this comeback lasts many long years so I can finally retire my older Oceanias if and when they start to wear out.
The modern Cortez, like its ancestor, gives a very snug fit from the start and should slowly start to give just a bit to the particulars of my feet. General boniness and some minor calcium deposits keep me away from non-mesh sneakers and make finding any comfortable shoe a rare find. Nike has added a better quality of fake leather to the upper heel and inners, making the heel pocket a good and solid fit that should still give slowly and gracefully over the years. Also the arch support, like that of its ancestor, is good and high, giving me a firm fit from top to bottom with very little wiggle room that can cause painful blisters.
I'm looking forward to a couple of good decades of walking, hiking, yard work and any other miscellaneous jobs that come along that don't require boots but do need basic and sturdy foot protection. All of that and you get a little license plate on the lace that simply says: Cortez '72.
Thank you, Nike, for bringing back an old favorite, and please bring back the full line of mesh colors again!
And if you could ever bring back the Oceanias...
Recommended:
Yes
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