[Update 11 Jan 2023] The Nike Cortez 23 SE “Running Rabbit”, part of Nike’s wider Year of the Rabbit lineup, will arrive on 17 January with a price tag of US$100. According to Nike, the running rabbit motif and blue insoles are inspired by Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike’s previous incarnation.

Alongside the Cortez, another pair of Zoom Vomero 5 featuring similar “Running Rabbit” insoles will also drop the same day. Which pair will you cop?

Nike is possibly preparing for a “Year of the Rabbit” collection ahead of 2023 (and competitors). Case in point: this titular “Running Rabbit”. The shoe embodies a brown smooth leather construction throughout the upper, bar for the die-cut Swooshes on the profiles.

Adorned in white is the aforementioned Swooshes and the branding elements on the exterior, as seen on the Nike text on the heel tab, and the logo on the serrated kilties on the vamp. The exceptions being the one on the tongue tag and the one embossed on the outsole underfoot.

Overall, this makeup doesn’t deviate too far from its blueprint with its shape and hallmarks a mainstay. Nevertheless, some features hitherto unseen are introduced. As mentioned above, the construction on the tongue sees a tumbled leather strip leading up to the kilties. Classic elements are integrated through the exposed foam tongue and the retro cursive text logo.

Contrary to the rest of the shoe’s color palette is the navy blue insoles that carry the graphics of a pack of rabbits in grey. On the periphery lies a small Nike branding. Caramel colored sole unit’s anchor the pair.

Information is scant at the time of writing but more should be released in the coming weeks with the imminent arrival of the year of the rabbit.

Till then, check out the Nike Cortez “Georgetown” that’s also found a spot in the Swoosh’s release calendar.