In a stunning testament to the enduring legacy of the Nike Cortez, a pair worn by Tom Hanks during the filming of Forrest Gump have fetched a remarkable $57,500 at a recent Heritage Auctions event.
Introduced in 1972, the Nike Cortez was among the first running shoes released by the sportswear giant, marking the beginning of what would become an empire in the athletic footwear industry. Its sleek design and comfortable fit quickly made it a favorite among athletes and casual wearers, establishing it as a staple on the West Coast and embedding it deeply into the fabric of sneaker culture.
However, the Forrest Gump colorway—characterized by its simple yet striking combination of white, red, and blue—propelled the Nike sneaker to a cultural icon. Worn by Hanks as he portrayed the titular character in the 1994 film, these sneakers were an integral part of Forrest Gump's journey, visually capturing the character's spirit and the era he navigated.
The pair auctioned by Heritage Auctions bears the marks of its cinematic journey, showing significant wear and intentional distressing. This distressing was done to give the shoes a worn-in look that would align with Forrest Gump’s 2-month country-wide run in the pair.
While this movie-worn pair of the Nike Cortez Forrest Gump fetched over five figures, Nike is set to release a retro of the Forrest Gump colorway in May for a more affordable $110. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Heritage Auctions
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
