Nike Air Max Penny 1 review

Who should buy the Nike Air Max Penny 1

The Nike Air Max Penny 1 is for you if:

• You love wearing shoes with an offbeat design.
• A shoe that could bite clean basketball courts well is what you prefer.
• You are after a basketball companion that could lock your foot securely in place.

Who should not buy the Nike Air Max Penny 1

Players with a narrow foot profile may have to look elsewhere. These Nike Air Max shoes are a bit roomy as stated by a handful of owners. They might want to have a look at the Nike Air Max Uptempo 95 and see if it fits the bill. Also, wearers who prefer a shoe with adequate flexibility might want to consider something else. They could check out some of the finest Nike basketball shoes. Lastly, basketball fans in search of a much lighter shoe can also look past this model. Lighter by 57 grams, the Nike Lunar Hyperquickness (295 grams) is a solid alternative to the Air Max Penny 1 (352 grams).

A rich and cozy bed for the feet

The full-length Phylon midsole offers lightweight cushioning and delivers a plush feel underfoot. At the heel, a Nike Air Max unit provides maximum impact protection and tons of support during explosive take-offs. And just like the Nike LeBron 16 and the Kyrie 5, this Nike basketball shoe is very comfortable to wear as reported by a significant number of wearers.

Clean court grip

The Nike Penny 1 is equipped with a full rubber outsole that offers durable traction on any surface. However, wiping on dusty courts is pretty much required with this shoe. Still, these retro basketball shoes from Nike have good traction, especially on clean courts, as observed by several players. Also, these shoes have a thick outsole that makes them suitable for outdoor use, one tester reports.

Too spacious interior

More than a handful of wearers are reporting that these shoes are quite roomy. They feel that the Penny 1 runs a bit big.

Uncommon yet appealing design

The Nike Air Max Penny 1s are an exact replica of the original. Penny’s “1 Cent” logo is featured on the heel while the Swoosh is displayed on the lateral support wing and tongue. A ¾-height collar completes this classic shoe’s silhouette. With all that being said, a considerable number of wearers are pleased with the shoe’s unique style. They just love rocking these basketball sneakers casually.

A bit rigid

A small number of wearers observed that the Nike Air Max Penny 1 feels somewhat stiff.

Thumbs up for the quality

Many owners are quite satisfied with the shoe’s overall quality. Most commenters even commented that the Nike Air Max Penny 1 is an excellent basketball shoe and asserted that it may be one of the best models Nike has ever produced.

True-to-size fit

It has been reported by basketball aficionados that the Nike Air Max Penny 1 fits true to size.

The Nike Air Max Penny 1's lockdown and support

The Nike Air Max Penny 1 has a lace-up closure that provides an adjustable fit. The shoe’s Phylon midsole extends up the lateral side and forms a support wing that offers added stability when performing quick side-to-side movements. The shoe’s lockdown and support are nearly perfect, several users commend.

Weighty and chunky

Several commenters note that these retro Nike basketball shoes are quite heavy and bulky.

Special Colorways of the Nike Air Max Penny 1

Nike Air Max Penny 1 ‘1996 All Star Game’ by Dank Customs

Sneaker designer Jake Danklefs created a special pair of Penny 1s that pays homage to the 1996 All-Star Game held in San Antonio, Texas. Dressed in turquoise and grey with orange and pink accents, these custom-made sneakers are a throwback to the Spurs' old colors.

Nike Air Max Penny 1 ‘Black Ripstop’

Sold exclusively at House of Hoops in 2011, this all-black Nike basketball shoe features a full ripstop nylon upper and a blacked-out translucent outsole. This tooling gives a new twist to the ‘Blackout’ and ‘All-Star’ color options.

Nike Air Max Penny 1 ‘Doernbecher’

Released in 2014, the Nike Air Max Penny 1 ‘Doernbecher’ was designed by then eight-year-old Alejandro Muñoz. Alejandro was born with kidneys that did not function well and will eventually fail. He takes five different medications and makes frequent trips to Doernbecher for weekly shots and regular blood drawings.

To show Alejandro’s love for soccer, this limited edition Penny 1 features personal drawings and designs that cover the entire upper. Design details include the San Francisco 49’ers logo, a self-portrait, and his name on the heel tabs.

Nike Air Max Penny 1 ‘Lil’ Penny’

The Nike Air Max Penny 1 ‘Lil’ Penny’ pays tribute to Penny Hardaway’s pint-sized companion from his famous 90’s commercials. Dressed in Lil’ Penny’s Pros uniform, this basketball sneaker features a combination of blue, white, and red. Completing the theme is Lil’ Penny’s “½” jersey number embroidered on the heel.