The Nike Air Foamposite One Royal first hit shelves in 1997 and was originally designed for Scottie Pippen — but it was Penny Hardaway who saw the prototype and made it his own. While it isn’t technically part of his signature line, this model quickly became synonymous with Penny, and the Royal colorway stands as the most iconic of them all.
This 2024 retro stays true to the original, but with a few subtle changes. The first thing I noticed was the brighter shade of blue on the Foamposite shell, which pops a lot more than previous versions like the 2010 or 2017. There’s also a blue outline around the mini Swoosh on the toe and a hit of blue in the carbon fiber plate — details borrowed from a long-lost sample shown in an old Nike ad.
It’s been a while since I picked up a pair of Foams, and I’m glad I grabbed these. The Royal colorway is a must-have if you’re into this model — futuristic and retro all at once. I caught a sale on Kith and grabbed them for under $200 shipped, which helped seal the deal.
Packaging includes a black Nike Sportswear box with black laces pre-installed.
Materials
We get the Foamposite material up top with some nubuck around the eyelet area and ankle. Overall the materials are typical for foams, and while there’s nothing special going on here exactly, the shoe still exudes a premium quality.
Fit & Comfort
The Foamposite material feels a bit softer and less stiff, making the break-in process easier. The fit is still a little on the clunky side, but true to size feels more comfortable than I remember. They’re still heavy and not something I’d wear for a long walk, but for casual wear, they’re definitely manageable.
If these are sold out at different stores online, you can try looking for them on eBay.
Colorway: Dark Neon Royal / White – Black
Style Code: FQ8181-511
Retail Price: $230
Year of Release: 2024