nike cortez basic leather og mens fashion-sneakers 882254-164_12 - white/varsity red-varsity royal nike designed by nike co-founder bill bowerman, the nike cortez has been continuously produced since it debuted in 1972. this iconic running sneaker features a leather or nylon upper, eva midsole, and solid rubber outsole with a classic herringbone pattern. nike also released a feminine version of the nike cortez called the senorita cortez.