Image: KicksOnFire

Hong Kong streetwear label, CLOT, is the latest brand to remix the Nike Cortez, 51 years after its original release. After two previous CLOT x Cortez releases, the collaboration will now take on the most famous Cortez colorway. Nicknamed the “Forrest Gumps,” the red, white and blue Cortez takes on a new life. This time homing in on its utility as a martial arts sneaker, rather than for its intended running shoe purposes.

What you need to know

The sneaker will feature a white leather upper, with a red swoosh and white and blue hits on the sole. The main difference about the sneaker is that it comes in two parts. The first is a standard leather upper attached to a thin outsole. Whilst the second part of the sneaker features a traditional Cortez outsole attached to a very low-cut neoprene bootie. The latter of which features a larger blue swoosh. Each part can function independently, with the bootie doubling up as a slip-on. Or they can be worn together for a more traditional Cortez look.

Laces are present on the leather upper piece, but an adjustable toggle is also available on the bootie. Otherwise, CLOT logos are present on the tongue tabs, and Chinese calligraphy spells out “Kung fu” on the heel tabs.

Image: KicksOnFire

The martial arts theme is something immediately obvious when the sneaker is worn with just the leather upper part. Since the lack of a midsole and retro leather style make it heavily resemble popular martial arts sneakers. The Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi, for example. Moreover, this was also something emphasised in the previous CLOT release. Featuring black and yellow detailing, it referenced the iconic yellow and black sneakers martial arts icon Bruce Lee would rock.

Image: KicksOnFire

When will the sneaker become available?