Nike Cortez Classic – OG Leather | Spring 2012

Among the most easily identifyable classic runners from the Nike’s pre-Air Max era is pictured above in a trio of new colorways that represent the first pairs released since early this summer.  The Nike Cortez Classic is usually never too far away from a new drop, though, and the next set seeks to capture the essence of the original leather-built pairs from 1972.  Pairs in black with white accents or, navy with white and orange, or grey with white plus a red midsole stripe evoke images of the very first set of Swooshed runners from four decades ago, and though the latter pair’s midsole is more of a cream color than true white, these lack the kind of overt pre-yellowing typical to the Nike Sportswear VNTG series.  You’ll be able to see more of each pair when you click on the jump below; did NSW get it right by conveying this shoe’s classic status with the original materials and colors rather than adding the oxidized midsole and laces?  via atmos