Image approved
Forefoot midsole tech
Phylon midsole
Heel midsole tech
Phylon midsole + Air Max 180 unit
Outsole tech
Translucent sticky rubber outsole
Upper tech
Nubuck + Fuse hyperfuse construction
Cushioning feel
plush and protective
Court feel
moderate
Bounce
moderate
Stability
good
Traction
good overall
Fit
true to size, snug
Analysis
Performance profile
Cushioning Feel
91ExcellentCourt Feel
64SolidBounce
58SolidStability
74GoodTraction
73GoodFit
82Very GoodContext
Story & provenance
Penny's Most Performance-Ready Retro
Penny Hardaway's fifth signature, the Air Penny 5, originally released in October 2012, designed by Marc Dolce. While marketed largely as a lifestyle retro, WearTesters argued that the Air Penny 5 was actually performance-capable, citing the heel Air Max 180 unit, Phylon forefoot, and a sticky translucent outsole that delivered surprisingly good grip. The upper used a Hyperfuse-style fused construction with nubuck panels for that early-2010s premium feel. Penny had moved on from the NBA by this time, so the shoe was marketed more as a hat-tip to his legacy than a working tool, but reviewers noted it remained one of the better-tractioned Air Penny models in the entire line. It found a loyal collector base and continued to draw retro re-releases in subsequent years.