Read our honest and detailed Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce review and find out if this retro basketball shoe is worth your money or not.
If you are a fan of retro basketball shoes, you may have heard of the Nike Air Penny 2, a classic sneaker that was originally released in 1997 and worn by NBA legend Penny Hardaway. The shoe was part of the Nike Air Penny line, which featured several models that showcased Hardaway’s signature style and performance on the court.
The Nike Air Penny 2 has been re-released several times over the years, with different colorways and variations. The latest one to hit the market is the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce, which features a black upper with dark pony hair accents and a faded green outsole. The shoe was released on January 20th, 2023, with a retail price of $200 USD.
In this review, I will give you my honest opinion on the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce, based on its design, aesthetics, performance, comfort, price, and availability. I will also rate the shoe on a scale of 1 to 10 for each category and give you my recommendation of whether to cop or drop these shoes.
Main Features of the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce
Here are some key features of the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce:
- Wavy midsole with visible Air unit: This feature gives the shoe a unique and dynamic look, as well as providing cushioning and impact protection for your feet. The midsole wraps around the heel and has a wavy shape that mimics the movement of water. The Air unit in the heel is visible and adds some bounce and responsiveness to the shoe.
- Black upper with dark pony hair accents: This feature gives the shoe a premium and luxurious feel, as well as adding some texture and contrast to the shoe. The upper is made of black mesh, rubber, suede, and nubuck, which are durable and breathable materials. The dark pony hair details on the side panels and toe box add some flair and softness to the shoe.
- Faded green outsole: This feature gives the shoe a fresh and eye-catching twist, as well as providing traction and grip on different surfaces. The outsole is made of rubber and has a faded green color that contrasts nicely with the black upper. The outsole also has a herringbone pattern that enhances the traction and grip of the shoe.
- Penny logo on tongue and heel: This feature gives the shoe a nostalgic and iconic touch, as well as honoring the legacy of Penny Hardaway, the NBA legend who wore this shoe in his prime. The Penny logo is a stylized “1 Cent” coin that represents Hardaway’s nickname and jersey number. The logo appears on the tongue and heel of the shoe, in a bronze-shaded color that matches the tongue tag logo and eyestays.
- Jewel Swoosh on forefoot: This feature gives the shoe a sleek and elegant touch, as well as showcasing the Nike brand. The jewel Swoosh is a small and shiny Swoosh that appears on the forefoot of the shoe, in a faded spruce color that matches the outsole and pull tabs. The jewel Swoosh adds some sparkle and refinement to the shoe.
These are some of the key features of the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce that make it a great shoe for retro basketball fans and sneaker enthusiasts alike. These features combine to create a shoe that has a distinctive design, a comfortable fit, and a reasonable price. If you are looking for a shoe that can be worn for different occasions and activities, you may want to consider getting these shoes.
Read More: Why You Need the Nike Air Force 1 Command Force in Your Collection: The latest Update 2023
Design and Aesthetics
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce has a distinctive design that combines elements from the original Nike Air Penny 2 and some new twists. The shoe has a wavy midsole that wraps around the heel and features a visible Air unit for cushioning and impact protection. The upper is made of black mesh, rubber, suede, and nubuck, with dark pony hair details on the side panels and toe box. The shoe also has a Penny logo on the tongue and heel, as well as a jewel Swoosh on the forefoot.
The Faded Spruce colorway is a unique and eye-catching choice for this shoe. The faded green outsole contrasts nicely with the black upper and adds some flair to the otherwise dark shoe. The pony hair accents also give the shoe some texture and luxury vibes. The bronze-shaded tongue tag logo and eyestays add some subtle pops of color to the shoe as well.
I personally like how the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce looks. It has a retro basketball feel with a modern twist. It also suits my style and preferences, as I like shoes that are versatile and can be worn with different outfits. I think this shoe can be paired with jeans, joggers, shorts, or even suits, depending on your mood and occasion.
I would rate the design and aesthetics of the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce a 9 out of 10. It is a well-designed shoe that has a lot of character and appeal.
Performance and Comfort
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce is not only a stylish shoe but also a functional one. It is designed to perform well on and off the court, offering comfort, support, and durability. I have worn these shoes for casual wear and for playing basketball, and I have been impressed by how they fit, feel, and support my feet.
The shoe fits true to size and has a snug but comfortable fit. The mesh tongue and collar provide breathability and flexibility, while the nubuck overlay and pony hair details provide structure and stability. The shoe also has a nylon pull tab on the tongue and heel for easy on and off.
The shoe feels soft and cushioned on the feet, thanks to the foam midsole and the visible Air unit in the heel. The shoe also has a rubber outsole that provides traction and grip on different surfaces. The shoe performs well in terms of responsiveness, stability, flexibility, and durability. It can handle quick movements, jumps, cuts, and pivots without compromising comfort or support.
The only cons I noticed about this shoe are its weight and quality. The shoe is slightly heavy compared to other basketball shoes, which may affect some people’s speed or agility. The shoe also has some minor quality issues such as glue stains or loose threads, which may bother some people who are looking for perfection.
I would rate the performance and comfort of the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce an 8 out of 10. It is a comfortable and supportive shoe that can handle different activities and situations.
Price and Availability
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce has a retail price of $200 USD, which is fairly reasonable for a retro basketball shoe with premium materials and features. However, depending on your size and demand, you may have to pay more or less than that price.
The shoe was released on January 20th, 2023 through Nike.com (US) 1 and select NSW retailers online 2 and in-store 3. However, due to its limited availability and high popularity among sneakerheads, it may be hard to find these shoes in stock or at their original price.
If you want to get a pair of these shoes, you may have to look for other options such as reselling platforms like StockX , Stadium Goods , or Flight Club . These platforms offer authentic sneakers from verified sellers at different prices depending on the market value. You may be able to find these shoes at lower or higher prices than their retail price depending on their condition and availability.
I would recommend buying these shoes if you are looking for a retro basketball shoe with a fresh twist that can be worn for different occasions. However, if you are on a tight budget or not a fan of this colorway or style, you may want to skip these shoes or wait for them to go on sale or drop in price.
I would rate the price and availability of the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce a 7 out of 10. It is not too expensive or too cheap for what it offers but it may be hard to find or afford for some people.
Conclusion
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce is a great shoe that combines retro basketball vibes with modern flair. It has a distinctive design that features a black upper with dark pony hair accents and a faded green outsole. It also has a comfortable fit that supports your feet well on different activities. It has a reasonable price but limited availability that may make it hard to get or afford for some people.
I would give this shoe an overall rating of 8 out of 10. It is one of my favorite sneakers that I own right now because it looks good and feels good on my feet. It also makes me feel nostalgic about Penny Hardaway’s career and legacy in the NBA.
Thank you for reading my review of the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce. I hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful. If you have any comments or questions about this shoe or anything else related to sneakers please leave them below. I would love to hear from you! 🙌
FAQ:
- Are Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce Comfortable?
Yes, the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce are comfortable shoes that provide cushioning, support, and breathability for your feet. The shoes have a foam midsole with a visible Air unit in the heel that absorbs shock and adds bounce. The upper is made of mesh, rubber, suede, and nubuck, which are durable and breathable materials. The shoes also have a snug but comfortable fit that adapts to your foot shape.
- Are Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce good for running?
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce are not designed specifically for running, but they can be used for casual or light running. The shoes have a rubber outsole that provides traction and grip on different surfaces. The shoes also have a responsive and stable midsole that can handle quick movements and changes of direction. However, the shoes are slightly heavy compared to other running shoes, which may affect your speed or agility. The shoes are also not very flexible or breathable, which may cause some discomfort or overheating during long or intense runs.
- Why are Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce so popular?
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce are popular because they are retro basketball shoes that have a distinctive design and a fresh colorway. The shoes are part of the Nike Air Penny line, which features several models that showcase the style and performance of Penny Hardaway, an NBA legend who wore these shoes in his prime. The shoes have a wavy midsole with a visible Air unit, a black upper with dark pony hair accents, and a faded green outsole. These features combine to create a shoe that has a lot of character and appeal. The shoes are also versatile and can be worn for different occasions and activities.
- Why are Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce so expensive?
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce are expensive because they are limited edition shoes that have premium materials and features. The shoes have a retail price of $200 USD, which is fairly reasonable for a retro basketball shoe with premium materials and features. However, depending on your size and demand, you may have to pay more or less than that price.
The shoes are also hard to find or afford for some people because they have limited availability and high popularity among sneakerheads. The shoes are only available through Nike.com (US) 1and select NSW retailers online 2and in-store 3. You may also have to look for other options such as reselling platforms like StockX , Stadium Goods , or Flight Club , which offer authentic sneakers from verified sellers at different prices depending on the market value.
- Are Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce worth it?
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce are worth it if you are looking for a retro basketball shoe with a fresh twist that can be worn for different occasions and activities. The shoes have a distinctive design that features a black upper with dark pony hair accents and a faded green outsole. They also have a comfortable fit that supports your feet well on different activities. They also have a reasonable price but limited availability that may make it hard to get or afford for some people. If you are looking for a shoe that has a lot of character and appeal, you may want to consider getting these shoes.
- Does Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce true to size?
Yes, the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce run true to size and have a snug but comfortable fit. The shoes fit well on most foot shapes and sizes and do not require any break-in time. However, if you have wide feet or prefer a looser fit, you may want to go half a size up.
- Where to buy Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce?
You can buy the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce from these sources:
These sources offer authentic sneakers from verified sellers at different prices depending on the condition and availability of the shoes.
- Are Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce good for walking?
The Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce are good for walking as they provide cushioning, support, and traction for your feet. The shoes have a foam midsole with a visible Air unit in the heel that absorbs shock and adds bounce. The upper is made of mesh, rubber, suede, and nubuck, which are durable and breathable materials. The outsole is made of rubber and has a herringbone pattern that enhances the traction and grip of the shoe. The shoes also have a snug but comfortable fit that adapts to your foot shape.
- Does Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce run small?
No, the Nike Air Penny 2 Faded Spruce do not run small and have a true to size fit. The shoes fit well on most foot shapes and sizes and do not require any break-in time. However, if you have wide feet or prefer a looser fit, you may want to go half a size up.
