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Class is almost in session.
Whether you’re gearing up for college, prepping for the kids or just looking to take advantage of some rare deals, Nike’s vast back-to-school sale is an excellent opportunity to get your hands on some of the brand’s most storied silhouettes. Or, well, feet … you know what we mean.
Use the code DAYONE at checkout to unlock an extra 25 percent off the following styles, including some that are already heavily discounted.
Welcome to Shop Smarter: A series dedicated to highlighting not just what’s on sale, but why it’s worth owning. Discover more here.
Nike
Nike Cortez
Nike cofounder Bill Bowerman designed the Cortez in 1972 to be lighter and more comfortable than anything else ever made. Decades later, its starring role in the film “Forrest Gump” locked in its legendary icon status.
The Field General digs back into Nike’s underappreciated football archive. A suede and textile upper nods to vintage gridiron aesthetics, while the referee-uniform-inspired colorway of this particular variant positions it as a bona fide foe to the Adidas Samba.
The Waffle Racer brings one of the Swoosh’s most storied running silhouettes back to the rotation. A moccasin-inspired textile upper with suede overlays and a leather Swoosh nods hard to Nike’s past, while a foam midsole adds modern comfort underfoot. Notably, the rubber Waffle outsole delivers that unmistakable retro profile.
The Air Tailwind made its debut at the Honolulu Marathon in the late 1970s as one of the first shoes to feature Nike Air cushioning. This retro reissue stays true to the original with a textile and leather upper, low-cut silhouette and rubber Waffle outsole for durable traction.
The Zoom Vomero 5 pulls early-2000s running heritage into the present with a richly layered upper of mesh and synthetic overlays. Underfoot, Cushlon foam and a Zoom Air unit deliver a responsive, cushioned ride, even when the only thing it’s running are errands.
A modern refresh of Nike’s original low-profile tennis shoe, the Killshot 2 updates its heritage with a mixed-material upper. Its original release in the heyday of #menswear crashed websites and sparked long queues outside J.Crew stores, and it’s easier to acquire now, it remains no less stylish.
Originally built for long-distance running, the LD-1000 debuted in 1977 and carried one of Nike’s most notorious design choices: a dramatically flared heel that was later linked to leg injuries. Today, it exists as a stylish relic of Nike’s divisive past.
Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.
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