words_Brandon Richard

While Michael Jordan’s sneakers were certainly the most recognizable of the ’90s, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway’s Nike line made its presence felt as well. With a marketing campaign that featured Penny’s pint-sized puppet pal Lil’ Penny, Hardaway’s Nike run ranks amongst the best.

Not only was the marketing top notch, the sneakers were on par with, or better than, the best available on the market. Innovative designs, classic colorways and ground-breaking technology not only made the shoes popular in the ’90s, but helps keep them relevant more than a decade later.

Tonight, arguably the most popular Penny sneaker will be making a return – the “Royal” Nike Air Foamposite One. Originally released in 1997 and last seen in 2007, the “Penny” Foams feature a truly innovative design, with flowing lines complimenting a metallic blue molded foam shell and black nubuck upper. Penny branding, a carbon fiber support plate and “icy” translucent outsole put the finishing touches on a shoe that still seems ahead of its time.

This week’s installment of Sole Shots celebrates the Air Foamposite One, as well as a few other signature Penny kicks.

JeLLo, New York City

Retro_shoes98, Maryland

Stephan Kuntze, Hamburg, Germany

BryantDIGITAL, Lansing, Michigan

PBS The Photographer, Queens Village, New York

Supa aka flowrida, Teaneck, New Jersey

Nick DePaula, Portland, Oregon

Dan Love aka danloveuk, Queens, New York

brand0n031, Ocala, Florida

fo0tballking, Miami, Florida

Elias aka iNcOgNiToKiD, Bronx, New York