Humble Beginnings: Nike Cortez Nylon KM QS Kenny Moore Collection

The NIKE CORTEZ NYLON KM QS KENNY MOORE COLLECTION goes back to where it all began for the brand’s hallowed early running model…

From crushed velvet to Flyknit and Jewel – as well as taking a hot minute to shout out one of hip hop’s most celebrated cities with a swangin’ Compton iteration – the Cortez has had its fair amount of attention this year. However, the brand will take the classic running-forged silhouette back to its roots in the coming months with a pack that traces the roots of the shoe by celebrating a figure central to its design: distance runner Kenny Moore. An athletic protege of Nike co-founder and track coach, Bill Bowerman, Moore mistakenly wore Onitsuka’s high-jump designed Tiger TG-22 as a running shoe, which resulted in foot injury. During the time that Moore was out of action with his fracture, Bowerman took the shoe and enhanced its support and stability to create the Tiger Cortez, which (after the formation of Nike…and a slight battle with Onitsuka Tiger) would later become the Nike Cortez.

Commemorating the athlete’s often overlooked contribution to the shoes creation, Nike will soon release the official Kenny Moore Collection, which offers up a trio of unique Cortez iterations  – including a nylon and suede mix in Tour Yellow, all-over hairy suede Varsity Royal option, and a prototype-mirroring off-white leather and red version which replaces the lateral Swoosh with Moore’s signature as a seal of approval.

The NIKE CORTEZ NYLON KM QS KENNY MOORE COLLECTION is available now via the banner below.