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I bugged my mom for a pair of these Nikes for months in summer of 1975. They where 39.99 and mom thought they were way too expensive. She finally gave in and I went from Converse Chuck Taylors to Nikes. They where like my Sunday church shoes. They never did get real dirty cause I treated them like my first car..Those where the days. I did pay my mom back for the shoes when I got my job, flipping burgers at Hardee's...

They were the best, most comfortable, coolest and fairly durable "track" shoes back in the day. We called them Tigers. Started wearing them in the late sixties, only stopped when the quality went down hill maybe 10 years ago ? Still have a very light thin sole version, more like slippers. Sad to see practically everything become such low quality now.

Typical corporate greed !

Bought a pair of nylon and suede cortez back in college. It’s a great silhouette and I enjoyed them. For dope shoes with cheap leather (af1, cortez, etc) that crease easily I try to find colorways that utilize different materials that will hold up better.

Why does Nike ALWAYS have the worst leather yet the highest price tag Edit: obviously we all know why, it’s just annoying watching them get away with it forever

Would like to see you try to track down a vintage pair of Cortez’s (or any Nike shoe you have done for that matter) from the 70s or 80s and do a leather/materials comparison to the newer ones. Really curious how much better or worse the materials back then were.

I started wearing these shoes in 2005 when I lived in LA, and merely wore the shoes for its look with a pair of Levi’s 501 and white tshirt. However, these shoes never lasted, and they weren’t very comfortable at all. I wore both the “leather” version and nylon version (nylon was more comfortable).

Would like to see a tare-down of a comparable Asics/Tiger shoe, given the relationship to Nike Cortez.

What about the actual Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66? I love those shoes and they seem to have much better leather and just built better in general. Would love to see those cut in half and compared. Also completely unrelated, I think it would be cool to see CrossFit shoes cut in half, they're very specialized and it would be cool to see all the "tech" and see how they do it. (Nike Metcon 7 or 8)

I would be interested to see what a women’s pair looks like if you did this. My girlfriend and I both have a pair of Cortez and hers are constructed very differently. They have less fluffy lining/padding and far more stiff. Honestly seem like different shoes. I’d be curious to see if they used more leather/different method of construction.

I think those are the Cortez basics. Every now and then nike releases the retro colours under the “classic”. The leather does seem to be better on those ones. One way to spot the difference is the lace tag which is included in the one that was reviewed.

I would appreciate it if you did a video on leather quality and had multiple examples of different leathers between the A to D range. Would love to see you deep dive into the look, feel, smell, properties, etc. It would be cool to see even if you had to do it on the Rose Anvil 2 channel

The ad prior to this video was from Nike, made me chuckle, thanks for the content, always a great watch.

I remember them doing a proper “retro” of these years ago. Not sure if those had real leather or pleather though 💀

Thank you for doing this. I used to love to got to my local sporting goods shop and they had three models… black, pure white, and Gump color way. Real nice Italian leather for $50. The last time I see them like this was probably 2001. It is clear to see all they care about is profit margins and not the quality of their product. I know materials may cost more but hey they are made in china for a couple bucks. I’d pay more for the real thing. Keep your late 90’s Cortez on their neck!!!!

So in 1980 the Cortez was $40. That would be nearly $150 in today's money. At that time they were all leather, including the tongue, and decent leather at that. I couldn't believe how cheaply built they were when I bought a pair a few years ago. Just a shadow of the original shoe. Would be interesting to see the difference if you could find a 40 year old pair to compare them too. BTW, from about '78-'84 these were THE shoe! You had to have a pair. I must have cut hundreds of lawns to keep myself in fresh Cortez when I was a kid. Somebody should let Nike know that we would be willing to pay top dollar for a good shoe, rather than the CRAP they manufacture now.

I haven't been able to read through the comments but if anyone is mentioned this I do apologize... But maybe for a future video compare these to Onitsuka Tiger's Corsair? I'm just saying since they're both supposed to be basically the same shoe. Edit: I would have mentioned the Mexico 66 instead, but I think it's constructed similar to how the shoe was originally made back in it's debut, rather than the Corsair that looks strikingly like the current Cortez.

Great work as always. In the retro style theme, what about the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66?

I remember wearing these during junior high in the mid 70s. I was just starting to run track and split at least one pair high jumping because too much stress on the red swoosh from my takeoff foot. They weren't really performance shoes back then and definitely not for jumping (obviously). Maybe for running/jogging.

Can't wear these in certain parts of LA 😅

Loved my old Cortez from 20+ years ago, but I had the nylon version not the leather. I’d still buy those again but you confirmed my original thoughts that the leather version looked very cheap.

The irony in the name is that the classic Onitsuka shoe is now called the "Mexico 66"

I bought a Nike Cortez in 2018, I did what a sport shoe needs to do, run and jump, I cycled a lot too, 2 weeks ago the sole fell apart and rip, they were really good I even played basketball with them, went to gym etc, I recommend the shoe in my opinion, and I think I’m buying new ones because was my most durable shoe in my “collection”

it would be interesting to see the onitsuka tiger mexico for comparison, they're still selling those

I worked in footwear materials for almost twenty years-not for Nike, but you’ve definitely heard of the brands. It’s beyond frustrating what is happening in the industry. The cost of all raw materials have gone up. And the MBA’s running these companies have no real love for the shoes-they’re only concerned with metrics that make short term stock gains and create cash flow. There’s no care for the long term health of the company. So they hire consultants to create minimum viable product, convinced that consumers will only spend so much. All the things people aren’t educated about, the construction and materials that make the shoes last (the antithesis of their business model which is to get people to buy more pairs) are cut out, especially from the inside where people can’t see what is missing. It’s a race to the bottom. But you are blowing the lid off that, it’s so appreciated.

I remember buying these shoes first in 1985 when I was a little baby, I was just 30 years old.

Would love to see the Air Force 1 x Slam Jam cut in half, they’re supposed to have better leather. Nike states the shoe got an “Italian makeover”. And they say the leather has natural variations so maybe no plastic coating? I don’t know, but I would love to see a video on that.

For your leather working company would you be able to make a wallet with a change pouch? As a uk/european viewer all your wallets are designed for an american system of all cards and notes. Maybe you could do one that can carry small change as well? it might increase international sales, I'd be intrested in buying one.

I dont understand Nike's deal with the Cortez, I feel like if they marketed those shoes right they could still be super popular, especially with them being shown multiple times in Forrest Gump and other classic films. Unfortunately the Cortez shoes are barely even available now, and you can't get them in the OG white/blue/red colour anymore. To see that they are also made so cheaply and poorly just adds to the confusion. Why has Nike shunned this iconic shoe so hard? Look at New Balance, the 574 is still one of their most heavily marketed shoes and they sell tons of them. The Nike Cortez should be every bit as popular but Nike has basically forgotten about them.

I actually still have a pair of these from the 80's . Still made in USA back then . I haven't worn them in years and I also have a pair of these that I got about 5 or 6 years ago. Maybe they were made better back then. I basically got them to replace my worn down Asics leather Tigers from the early 2000's . I'd love to see if you could get your hands on a pair of Spot -Bilt Coaches shoes and do a review on those. They were also popular back in the day . They were made by Saucony and discontinued when bought out by Stride-Rite

first time i've seen this channel, from now on my feet are gonna be good.

Amazing how you’ve taken a channel about shoes and made it so good. I wore the Cortez all through the late 70s and high school Making my Converses back ups. Love your channel

The sole never worked for me personally, but this is an iconic classic and I'm surprised they did it THIS dirty. There's better versions out there, I'd pay no more than 40 bucks for these if I liked them enough to begin with. By the way, you sometimes do comparisons and I think these vs. Corsairs would be cool, Blazers vs. Puma Clyde/Suede too, since both of these examples are so damn similar aside from the branding.

here in baltimore we called them project nikes in the late 70's and 80's.... got a pair a few months ago since the 80's and they are nothing like they were so dame cheap now...

It would be cool to compare with Onitsuka Tiger Nippon Made series as they're said to be hand crafted in Japan with better materials than usual

Now cut apart the Onitsuka Tiger counter part , the Corsair and compare

I really appreciate the insight, it's been apparent that Nike cuts corners in the manufacturing of their shoes but to actually cut the shoes in half and show the layers, I haven't seen that before!

You forgot to mention that Nike robbed the name from ASICS and sued ASICS for using the name Cortez which is why it’s called the Corsair now so thanks Nike

What's crazy if you going eBay trying to buy a pair of Cortez the people selling them act like they're made out of gold they're so overpriced even for used.

When I was a kid I loved British Knights, I would love to see you do a video on those shoes.

I bought them for the looks not for running or exercising. Thank you for such an informative videos 🙂

Video after video, each and every time, Nike (as premium as a brand they want to look) are no better than the Payless Shoe Store shoes...

Loved my old pairs of Cortez. Never realised they had so much fake leather but they were comfortable and lasted well. The problem was if you pronate your little toe spreads over the sole edge and they become really uneven and ugly

There are many versions. I got ones that have leather (or not leather, but still not textile) heel interior. Another pair has different type of textile inside and I actually have used them mostly for the worst weather conditions and they survived 10 years...

Since you've gotten down to the Cortez, how about looking at the current production Onitsuka Tigers? The Mexico 66 is iconic and still made in a super similar way. You my even want to take a look at the Japanese made line they've been doing, which seems to be higher quality materials.

There was a time when Nike first started the “NIKE ID” program, today called “NIKE by You”. The Cortez’s were offered up for custom build. Surprisingly, the build quality was better than what I saw in this video. Maybe for NikeID they decided that if someone’s willing to pay 110$+ for Custom made Cortez’s, it should be better quality? In any case, my wife and I still have our NikeID Cortez pairs today. Both still feel amazing and are holding up pretty well. These were custom made in 2016 through Nike just to be clear.

Pls compare the onitsuka Tiger Corsair with Nike cortez

Another great video! I would like to see you cover more New Balance and Asics in 2023. Especially the NB 990 v1 - v6

We would really love videos on vintage runners. Onitsuka tigers, Reebok classics, Puma etc

They're very expensive now and I can't seem to find them anywhere in the stores

Comparing these to the onitsuka tiger corsair would be cool

This reminds me of American car manufacturers naming poorly built cars after iconic muscle cars of the 60s.

I had the 2015 edition and the 72 and they were the coolest shoes I’ve ever had. Problem is they were so thin they became as fragile as socks really quick.

Sad to see how far the Nike brand has fallen and cheapened classics like the Cortez. I owned a pair of these in 1978 in a unique color combo.... Nubuck or Natural leather with white trim/stripes.... that was a good shoe and at the time probably still a top performer I also owned original waffle trainers which were a faster shoe to have / run with. I would love to have another pair of "Original Cortez - Bespoked" A lot of the Nike classics are just shadows of their former self....

I've owned 3 pairs. The "leather" is trash but they are comfortable and some of the grippiest shoes I've ever worn. They shouldn't be as expensive as they are at all though.

If you are a Mexican living in Los Angeles...you know exactly what the Cortez's are. Best cholo (gangster) shoe ever! Pair it with oversized creased jeans and a huge raiders jersey...you have yourself a mid 90s Mexican cholo.

Cole Haan is having a sale currently on some of their boots. I'd love to see a video on some of their stuff. I'll go search your channel after this vid. Appreciate what you do!

Cortez: "hey buddy, I think u got the wrong door. The real leather club is two blocks down"

I happen to think that trainers nowadays are really poorly made compared to what they were in the 1980s. Trainers in the 1980s used to be much more solidly made. This is what the manufacturing was done in both the United States of America and Britain. We had more control over quality control. I bought a pair of Nike trainers in late 1980s and they lasted quite a while and what a lot more durable than today's trainers. Today's trainers are made by very cheap materials yet they are ripping you off with cheap materials but top dollar price. I bought a pair of Air Force ones buy Nike about 3 years ago and the rubber outsole just did not last. Within 6-months of me buying these trainers. They started to fall apart. The poor quality leather splits very easily as well. I really do not think they are worth the money nowadays. Thank you for uploading this very informative video. Pure.

It would be really interesting if you took a look at some high fashion designer sneakers like Rick Owens or the Mason margiela replicas.

I had a pair of red white blood original Cortez. They were excellent sneakers & held up well.

I had a nylon/suede pair of these in the mid '90s and the sides were nylon & the toe and heal were thick suede. I loved those shoes.

I'd like to see a pair of Reebok leather classics cut in half, or maybe the Reebok Club C. But I think the classics are more iconic. Those are my go to sneakers. Comfortable and long lasting.

I prefer the nylon ones to the leather, I've owned many pairs over the years and I've found the cementing starts to fall apart at the widest part of the shoe, the upper begins to come off the midsole. They made a fancy version of them in the mid 00's with a flyknit upper.

Watch them come out with the original version and sell it as the “premium” version 💀🤚

I love channels like this that expose bad business. Shame on Nike.

I had a pair of these when I was a kid. I was somewhere between 9-12. This would have been in the early 80's. I got a womens size 5, believe. I never wore that size, but since I was still in childrens sizes, I was able to wear that size, purchased at a clearance sale. I thought these shoes were the coolest thing since sliced bread! Being a kid, I couldn't wear them long with feet growing fast.

It would be really cool if you have a series of recreating iconic shoes with high quality materials. Shoes like the AJ1 highs and lows and dunks and stuff like that. At the end of the video you can even raffle them off or something

Also the wolf of wall street wore them on the scene with the Lamborghini countach

Now this is proper influencing! Influenced me right out of getting a custom colorway for 200 CAD.

Dude, you’re algorithm is dope. Three months of Mocktail videos in straight into the Cortez on sneakers.😊

I don't think I'll ever buy a Nike product again. They are all about the bottom line now.

I had a pair in the 70’s I loved them. I wish I still had them

Can we have a review of the Nike ACG Zoom gaiadome please ! 🤞🤞

I got a pair of these back in 98 when I was 15 and I breakdanced the ish out of them lol

You want to know what caused this mess? Time Warranties instead of Quality Warranties. I worked as a quality manager and i seen it myself how we calibrated everything to just "live" the amount of time required based on the warranties provided. Leather can "live" for years... Boots/shoes/sneakers almost everything (in fact) in most of the worlds have a 2 years warranty. Which mean that something btw paper, rubber & leather will do the job... Leather is overkill.

Main reason I love this sneaker is the pinked edging on the lace stringers.

Curious how the Onitsuka Tiger Corsair compares.

some ppl are gonna burn parts of the cortez like in this vid and call it "Stranger things 2.0 customs" and when ur shoe rips apart after 3 wears, they are gonna be like "sorry thats a 1/1, no exchange or refunds"

Shoe companies need to learn that sites like this exist and that they’re not fooling anyone with their shitty construction.

Do the Adidas Superstar/Shelltoe.

Would love to see a comparison with the pair that Onitsuka Tiger sells

Ahhh, the trusty ol G nikes. The shoes I give credit too that made me get away successfully from cops back in the day. Good times.

I love leather work and saddlery, here in my country almost all shoes that are produced for a small companies, all that made with full grain leather and hand-made.

Maybe try the reebok club C 85 Vintage, they seem to have decent materials, and would be cool to check them

Hot take: the average US consumer doesnt care about the quality of a product anymore. Its primarily about status. I believe sneaker companies know this and its why they use the cheapest materials and sell them for that price. I remember nightwing from weartesters uploaded a 40 min video about china having jordans sitting and he mentioned that he went to a puma event and saw the difference between the releases for the US and europe and the US was primarily cheaper materials vs europe getting mostly leather/suede shoes that were built better than US shoes

Would be interesting to see a comparison between Nike Cortez and Onitsuka Tiger Corsair since Nike copied the Corsair model

I don't think the quality of the materials was too different in the first pair I bought back in 1999. White 'leather' with a grey swoosh and black trim. Even though I looked after them well, they scuffed around the toes and the ankles really quickly. They look fantastic and they're comfortable, but they age terribly. Maybe they were better quality in the 70's and 80's.

Okay now let’s see a comparison with the Onitsuka Corsair. That’s the original “Cortez,” before Nike stole it.

Hey could you do a series looking at motorcycle boots/shoes?

These videos are getting efficient!

I did own Cortez in the 90s in my native country they use to have full grain leather they will crease so beautifully also the toe box usually will scratch a lot just for walking and the rough out leather will make it looks so nice if I’m not mistaken the year was 1994 also got some Cortez in the 2001 and they were still full grain leather after that Nike went downhill on quality on Cortez and air forces 1

I've been wearing Cortez for so many years. Now I can't find them anywhere.

Now do the Onitsuka Tiger version

I purchased Oliver Cabell after your review . I wear them every day to work in the automotive field and they outlasted my red wings.

So these are one of my favorite silhouettes, I kind of expected the fake leather but not on the toe cap, but that’s just Nike on their sub $100 shoes, killshots and many others have fake leather on the heel tab, and the swoosh. These were more of a gr, those always get lesser materials, but then they’ll make a special edition or a collab and throw all the nice(r) materials at them.

With Nike and Jordan new leather shoes, you gotta try before you buy. I have bought a lot of retro remakes over the years and the quality is excellent sometimes and junk at other times

Definitely compare them to a pair of Onitsuka Tiger Corsairs.

Can you please please make a AIR FLIGHT LITE test? Thank you man! Nice job!