The Nike Air Foamposite One Royal is an original colorway that Penny Hardaway debuted in 1997.
Unlike other Nikes, the Foamposite One had a “1 Cent” logo instead of a swoosh. Since ’97, the shoes have been retro’d a couple of times – today I’m sporting the 2010 retro. The idea behind the foamposite material is that over time, the heat generated from being worn / played in gently molds the material to the wearer’s foot. I probably don’t wear these enough to attest to this feature, but I will say that for me, the foamposite look is what the shoe is all about. That unique wavy exterior make this a unique shoe, and the colorways with generally simple colorblocking (not a huge fan of the “printed” foams) help ensure the shoe remains low key enough to be sported on a daily basis if necessary.
It makes sense that these are more popular on the East Coast. The shoes are bulkier, thicker and heavier, making the feel very “boot-like”. This seems like it would be best utilized in bad weather when worn casually. That said, the Nike Air Foamposite One Royal might be a bit too hot to wear every day in California. Still, when it does get cold here I’m glad I have these as an option! I’ve found these to be quite comfortable if not somewhat heavy, and I highly recommend going true to size on these.
Where To Cop:
As of the writing of this article, you can find these on eBay
Colorway: Dark Neon Royal / White – Black
Style Code: 314996-500
Year of Release: 2010
MSRP: $200