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Love Nike’s ‘70s-style kicks but want a more sustainable alternative? We’ve got you.
This track and fashion classic stumbles on sustainability
52 years after Nike’s Cortez sneakers debuted at the Munich Olympics, they remain a style staple for many vintage fashion fans—Farrah Fawcett famously wore them, as did Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump (in fact, this pair has just been rereleased), and most recently, Jeremy Allen White donned them in The Bear. Perhaps that’s why searches for the running trainer on Lyst have increased by 51% in the last six months alone.
But Nike’s sustainability needs some work: its rating stands at “It’s a Start”, and while this demonstrates that it’s making some progress, one of the biggest and most influential brands in the world should be leading by example—not dragging its feet.
Nike has the power to improve its supply chains and do the work in evidencing its progress towards some of the positive goals and programmes it has laid out, including reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring payment of a living wage to workers throughout its supply chain.
With that then, let’s explore some alternatives to the Cortez trainer—defined by its minimal silhouette and rounded toe box—from brands that are disclosing their practices and rate “Good” or “Great” against our methodology.
