
The ‘90s were a time of heartfelt blockbusters and iconic sneaker silhouettes, and alongside the Air Max lineup, one silhouette had a big presence in this era: the Nike Cortez. Debuting in 1972 (with Farrah Fawcett famously rocking them while skating on the set of Charlie’s Angels in ‘77), the Cortez was eventually adopted into Los Angeles style and Chicano culture in the ‘80s, and adorned the feet of the late and great Whitney Houston during her performance of the national anthem at the ‘91 Super Bowl. But its most famous cameo was in Forrest Gump, and Nike is re-releasing the very same silhouette as seen in the 1994 movie: the Nike Cortez “Forrest Gump.”

The scene where they appear happens when Jenny (or Jennay) gifts Forrest (played by Tom Hanks) a pair of Nike Cortez shoes (the best gift anyone could ever get in the wide world) that he would wear during his 15,000-mile run across the United States of America. Very fittingly, the shoes came in a White, Varsity Red, and Varsity Royal colorway that’s now synonymous with the movie and appropriately dubbed “Forrest Gump.”

The last time we saw a re-release of these kicks was all the way back in 2018, and it looks like we’re getting the same deal again: a White and Varsity Red colorway with accents of Varsity Royal, leather uppers, a foam midsole for cushioning, and a waffle rubber outsole. This edition has nearly doubled in price since the initial drop, so it’s safe to say these will sell out quickly. The Cortez also celebrated its 50th birthday in 2022, and Forrest Gump is coming up on its 30th anniversary, so this makes for the perfect commemorative drop.

The Nike Cortez “Forrest Gump” arrives on May 1st for $110 – just in time for Spring.