Nike Cortez ‘BRS’ Sample | Sample Size

In 1967, Nike, known as Blue Ribbon Sports at the time, opened their first store. The space, located at 3107 W Pico Blvd in Santa Monica, served as a community hub. In 2019, Nike re-opened this space with a similar mission, aiming to pay homage to the brand’s history and engage with the running community. That same year, it appears that Nike quietly produced an exclusive Cortez to honor the store’s legacy. 

Dressed in a predominantly white leather upper, this Nike Cortez features unique design details such as a larger Swoosh, a thinner collar, and an alternative pattern on the heel. Both insoles feature BRS branding and the store’s address is featured on the right insole. 

Notably, the heel tabs are inscribed with “0000/3107”, a nod to the store’s address. Additionally, the original box is labeled “0000/3107 PICO BOULEVARD LIMITED EDITION”. A label has been affixed to the box, labeling the pair “CORTEZ BRS - PHIL KNIGHT SAMPLE”. 

The pair does not feature a size listed on the shoe or box, it most closely resembles a size US 9. 

The Nike Cortez was one of the first Nike shoes ever made and came out in 1972, the first year of Nike. Originally made for runners, the style transcends sports and has been featured in films such as Forrest Gump and Charlie's Angels. Over 50 years later, the sneaker remains a brand favorite. The name Cortez resulted from a response to the Adidas style ‘Aztec,' in historical reference to Cortes conquering the Aztecs.