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Every month, there’s a new drop of Nike shoes — including not-to-miss Air Jordan releases — to get excited about. This month in particular, just in time for summer, the Swoosh brand gave us yet another reason to shop its stellar selections: with the launch of the Nike Cortez shoe in a new, neon “Hyper Pink” hue that’s on-trend as can be this season and can be paired with all your summer staples.
It’s safe to say that pink will never be ousted from the sartorial vocabularies of today’s most style-savvy dressers. Following 2023’s Barbiecore obsession and 2024’s rise of ballet-inspired fashions (including the “sneakerina”), powdery pinks have dominated spring 2025 designer runway collections (from Alaïa to Brandon Maxwell) and street style alike. Now, as spotted on pre-fall and fall 2025 runways, neon shades that demonstrate the overall resurgence of ’80s trends are back, and they include vibrant doses of pink.
Nike Cortez Textile Sneaker, “Adobe/Alabaster/Safety Orange/Hyper Pink”
One of the most standout moments of Balenciaga‘s pre-fall 2025 show, for example, was a pop of hot pink on a model’s futuristic-looking, over-the-knee booties. And this wasn’t just a one-off experiment of sorts masterminded by a single designer, either. In their fall 2025 collections, storied fashion houses like Saint Laurent and Valentino all proved that muted tones for autumn are tired; in their place, fashion lovers are ready to embrace exciting, technicolor-infused wardrobe upgrades.
One of this neon fascination’s most fun outcomes is currently seen in the world of footwear. If you don’t feel particularly inclined to overhaul your all-black uniform, a touch of invigorating color on your sneakers could be all it takes to refresh your look — which is why the new, neon-pink Nike Cortez stepper should be your next sneaker purchase. Sure, this latest drop is trend-adherent, but the Cortez itself is a classic in American culture: ensuring it’s a timeless investment, too.
Launched in the ’60s as the creative brainchild of Nike’s co-founder Bill Bowerman, the all-American Cortez was the first running shoe to combine a full-length midsole with a sponge rubber layer below the upper, making the sneaker absolutely revolutionary in regards to cushioning. In short order, it became Nike’s top running shoe and set the industry standard for proper shock absorption. The Cortez’s traction, via a herringbone pattern on the outsole, was also something to write home about, and the icon was able to keep all of these attributes (even improving them based on customer feedback) as it evolved from an athletic shoe to one of the most popular lifestyle kicks on the market. Nowadays, you can see the Cortez on almost every street. Millions of styling videos and views under the #nikecortez hashtag on TikTok; celebrity placements on the feet of everyone from Kristen Stewart and Bella Hadid to Emily Ratajkowski and Dakota Johnson; and a 51-percent rise in search last year, as reported by Lyst, are all signs that the under-$100 Cortez isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the sneaker is hotter than it ever has been.
You heard it here first: Nike’s “Hyper Pink” Cortez just might become summer’s most unexpected, and most wanted, shoe. After all, with warm-weather essentials like midi skirts, camisoles, light-wash jeans, and linen trousers back in heavy rotation, our collective craving for something that effortlessly elevates these must-haves can be easily satisfied with the fresh Cortez’s eye-catching nature. On a technical level, this updated textile version features thoughtful design tweaks such as a wider toe box, firmer side panels, and a crease-resistant upper that resists scuffing and warping. As for those suede accents, they add a touch of texture: blending style with comfort so you can hit your step-count goals without compromising on aesthetics.
Stylist Sonia Lyson seen in Berlin on July 13, 2024, donning a red Cortez sneaker that’s just as rich and bold in color as the shoe’s new “Hyper Pink” release.
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
Craving even more boldness? Load up your Cortez acquisition with shoe charms like chains, clips, or even a chiffon lace substitution as a nod to the ballerina trend. However you end up personalizing the über-cool “Hyper Pink” Cortez, we guarantee that the style will tickle you pink.
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Nike Cortez Textile Sneaker, “Adobe/Alabaster/Safety Orange/Hyper Pink”
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska frequently covers new footwear releases and updates on archival styles, including those in the Nike universe.
