A Legendary Nike Shoe Returns as the Ideal Everyday Sneaker, Half a Century Later

The Pre Montreal, once worn by one of the greatest runners in history, comes with both pedigree and everyday good looks.

Close-up of a sneaker showing white leather trim, beige fabric upper, black suede heel, and part of a white sole with black studs.

By Jack Seemer

Published 3 hours ago

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On May 29, 1975, Steve Prefontaine ran 12.5 laps at Hayward Field in 13:23.8 — less than two seconds off his own American record in the 5K.

History remembers it as Pre’s final race. Just hours later, the former Oregon track star lost his life in a fatal car crash at the age of just 24 years old.

But it was also more than that.

The race marked Pre’s 25th consecutive victory in distances over a mile long, a dominant period of his career that coincided with his use of an equally dominant shoe.

Pair of vintage Nike running shoes with blue suede toe, red nylon sides, white swoosh, and white laces. — Steve Prefontaine wore the Pre Montreal (pictured) from 1973 until his death in 1975.

The Pre Montreal, which the runner wore from 1973 until his death, became an integral part of Pre’s story, not to mention that of his employer.

Easy to spot with a bright red-and-blue colorway, the Nike Pre Montreal featured a multimaterial upper fashioned from suede and nylon, as well a seamless toebox to reduce the risk of blisters (a company, and industry, first).

Close-up of black and beige Nike sneaker with white swoosh and black laces. — The shoe is credited as the first track spike to feature a seamless toebox to minimize irritation.

History repeats itself

Now, half a century later, the Pre Montreal returns not as a track spike but an everyday sneaker with equal parts pedigree and good looks.

Pair of blue and orange Nike sneakers with white swoosh logos and black soles on a white background. — Nike reissued the Pre Montreal half a century after Pre’s final race, this time as an everyday sneaker.

Though Nike may have replaced the bottom for daily utility, it still packs plenty of historical significance.

Much of that arrives in the form of the brand’s signature waffle outsole, a feature famously designed by former Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman using his wife’s waffle iron.

Black rubber shoe sole with square studs and patent number embossed in the center. — The outsole doesn’t have traditional track spikes but it does feature Nike’s signature waffle outsole.

What’s more, the brand preserved the shoe’s multimaterial makeup, equipping the shoe with a seamless suede toe box and nylon panels for both sides.

It even comes in the original red-and-blue colorway, however, a black-and-gray variant tones down the look understated wear.

Close-up of a Nike sneaker with blue suede, orange fabric, white swoosh, and blue laces. — Suede and nylon still constitute the multimaterial upper.

Pair of black and white Nike sneakers with blue insoles and black laces, viewed from above. — Black and gray give the shoe everyday wearability.

Availability and pricing

The revised Pre Montreal is now available on Nike’s official website in Japan, with the shoe expected to show up in the US in the coming weeks.

It costs just 10,599 Japanese Yen (about $70).

Blue and orange Nike sneaker with white swoosh and black sole, side view.

Nike Pre Montreal

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About the Author:

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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