Worst leather in 58 years - Nike Cortez 

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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...

Typical corporate greed !

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.

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.

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

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).

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

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)

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 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 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.

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!

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.

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!!!!

These videos are getting efficient!

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Can't wear these in certain parts of LA 😅

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

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.

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...

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

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 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.

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...

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

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.

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

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.

This channel is awesome

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

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.

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...

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

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

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.

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

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!

Would love to see you do a review on the new Nike SB BRSB as they're meant to be cortez's made for skating.

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

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

I'm not huge on the style of these, but 15 years ago it would have been a style I'd grab, if on sale, knowing I'd blow through them in a year of wear. Lately, I'm more into Adidas Stan Smith's or the Grand Court 2.0s. I'm alternating between an all white pair and an all black pair, and I expect by same time next year I'll need or want to replace them. But I'm liking the style of them. Some of my longest lasting shoes were a pair of Puma Speedcats. Those things lasted me like 12 years. I just donated them last month. I'd wear them in the summer, probably 3-4 days a week. The sole was wearing but not horrible. I just found I didn't wear them as often so I donated them. Crazy how long they lasted. My friend still has a purple pair she bought with me. I wonder if the new ones are as durable.

I've noticed there's two versions of outsole leather on this shoe. A soft one and hard one. I really like the hard one as it keeps it's shape really well and the sole is hard wearing and the shoe is quite comfortable.

I love the look of the cortez could you do a well made version collab!

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.

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

I had a pair of those back in the early 70s. One of my favorite shoes back then.

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”

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

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.

Comparing these to the onitsuka tiger corsair would be cool

The Cortez is my favorite shoe model! I love the way it looks but there impossible to find anymore

I loved my pair of Cortez’s, the sole wore out before the upper did

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

Make sure when you do the test for dual density on a lot of shoes you also do like under the ball of the foot, because they can keep the phone the same color but change the density purely from location in the shoe. Seth James DeMore running shoe reviews kind of goes into it a little bit

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.

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

I owned a pair 20 years ago, with a small glassy nike logo, they were my favorite.

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

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

Id love to see a comparison with the Onitsuka Tiger Corsairs. The pair that I have seem much more substantial to the Cortezs I’ve seen.

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

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'd love to see a comparison between the newly released, see if they actually reworked them and made a better sneaker.

You should also review some hiking/lineman boots like kenetrek, La sportiva, Hoffman ect.

Would like to see a comparison between these and the old Cortez. Interesting to see if you’re getting what’s implicitly promised by the Cortez name

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

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....

Does anybody know of a website where I can find news when Nike is going to release Air Max 95 Neon color? Not paying $400-$500 for an old/used pair and i only like that color. TY

I have 2 pairs of old Cortez in my closet. Wonder if they are the same quality/construction. I have barely used them. One is red with white logo pair bought in 2010, and the other white with blue logo pair bought in 2011. Won't cut them open, but maybe if I start wearing them more I will notice if they were made the same or better than nowadays.

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

I think it would be interesting to compare a modern Onitsuka Tiger version of this shoe. Its now called the Corsair.

Can you work on a Tactical sneaker series this year? Like the Altama Maritime Assault vs the 5.11 Tactical Norris vs the Vans Sk8-Hi Defcon. Thank you.

I’ve had a few pairs since the early 00’s and I’ve always had decent luck with em. Comfortable and moderately durable considering the price plus stylish. Walking thru a gravel parking lot I did have my pinkie toe rip out the side tho

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

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

Curious how the Onitsuka Tiger Corsair compares.

Would like to see your review of Onitsuka Tiger's Corsair, which is Asics' version of this shoes

Nice review, what about the adidas samba? The original no the new one, and the puma super liga OG how good are made those?

Pls compare the onitsuka Tiger Corsair with Nike cortez

Also, very niche, specific, but could you check out the Pawnshop Nike SB Dunk mid? Its got an apparently work boot like leathers on it. but idk if i buy that

Price tag sort of fits it. Imagine if they used quality leather and how many sneakers they would make. Resale would probably be crazy

Could you do a video on loake shoes, the 1880 line to see if they are worth the hype

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

can you please do a review of some asics onitsuka corsairs?

Would like to see you do one of the new balance numeric line

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.

You should do the Nike invincible run 3 when they release soon

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.