We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. No products or services are displayed in any particular order. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Let me be honest with you. The retro trainer market has a parity problem. Every brand is mining the same three archive silhouettes, slapping on a gum sole and calling it legacy. Then along comes something like Penn, making vintage-style athletic shoes from genuine premium leather with cork midsoles and hand-crafted details, and suddenly the category is buzzing again.
Penn is a footwear label built on a simple, slightly eccentric philosophy, summed up by its own slogan: Treat us like mortals. The brand takes mid-century sports shoes, running flats, training shoes, rugby boots, and reimagines them as everyday elegant leather shoes, arranged in named series instead of endless one-off drops. The construction story is consistent throughout the series: genuine leather uppers, Ortholite cushioning, cork midsole and lightweight rubber outsole, with each pair shipping with two sets of laces. These are the four pairs worth knowing right now.
about the board
The plank design in the series precisely explores one idea rather than chasing every trend. Pace Nostalgia offers a pure line of running shoes from the 1950s to the 1970s. Light training and its no-g offshoot strips the trainer back to supple, minimally lined leather. Zephyr Training plays with textures and finishing. Crest kick brings approach. Underfoot, the formula barely changes because it doesn’t need to: OrthoLite insole, cork sheet midsole for natural flexibility and moisture resistance, and cushioned rubber outsole for lightweight flexibility. Shipping is free, returns take 14 days, and UK deliveries take 10 to 15 working days from dispatch.
The flagship of the range, and the pair that best explains what the pen is doing.
Drawn from the truly modern running shoes that appeared between the 1950s and 1970s, the Pace Nostalgia 2.0 features long-nap suede, brushed-metal textured leather, mesh and Nappa leather in a rich, multi-dimensional upper, edged with TPU detailing and a subtle asymmetric cut that gives the profile real grace on foot. Inside, a leather and camber lining sits atop a 2mm OrthoLite footbed, while the midsole combines wood with EVA atop a natural rubber outsole. The chestnut blaze is a colorful take, warm and autumnal without being heavy, and it comes with two sets of vintage-toned laces to completely change the character.
It looks and feels like a shoe off the shelf much more expensive. Fair warning: sizes of this colorway sell out fast, so move quickly when stock arrives.
The most interesting construction story in the category, borrowed from the judo mat.
No-gi refers to judo practiced without a uniform, and Penn applies this concept literally, removing the traditional lining so that the top grain leather sits directly against the foot. The result is a trainer that feels broken in from the first wear, flexible where it should be and structured where it counts, with camber zones handling breathability. Underfoot you get a leather insole, 5mm Ortholite and 5mm latex atop dual-layer cushioning, then a House Cork midsole and a lightweight rubber outsole.
In an Off-White Pelican shade, this is the cleanest summer leather trainer on this page. The current round is on pre-sale with dispatch from August 2, which is exactly the kind of date to be planning around.
This pair is for anyone whose rotation has gone a little beige.
The Crest Kicks series treats the city as a playground, and the Blue Pulse colorway commits to this idea with varying layers of blue in a mix of high-gloss mesh, cow suede and crackle-textured leather. The tread borrows a climbing-inspired grip pattern with brand-slogan detailing, while the interior runs 5mm OrthoLite foam on a premium leather lining, a pigskin-covered insole and cork midsole. Two lace options are included, a clear natural white round lace and a reflective speckled version for evening.
It offers more design per dollar than almost anything comparable, and it’s the pair in this edit that strangers will ask about.
In fact, no one else will have this pair.
The pouching construction features a discreet elastic collar with delicate seams, giving a gently enveloping fit and a comfortable, sophisticated line. The upper is solid brown premium cattle split leather with bright blue sheen, and here’s the cool thing: each pair is individually hand-crafted using files and rollers, then layered with wax and repeatedly hand-polished, so the wear patterns and depth of tone on your pair can’t be exactly replicated on someone else’s pair. A leather-lined insole, 5mm Ortholite, cork midsole and a soft two-piece rubber outsole completes it.
This is the most accessible route to access truly unique footwear currently on the market.
final thoughts
The pen sits in a rare pocket of the market: proper leather construction, cork-and-Ortholite comfort engineering and distinctive design, all with free shipping worldwide. Sizing runs from UK 6.5 to 11.5 and depending on the series on standard US, UK and EU conversions, the leather softens and molds with wear, and the pan itself recommends rotating pairs to keep the size sharp, which is convenient, because after one pair you’ll want another pair.
The retro trainer market needed new blood. This shows that it just needs better manners. Actually behave like mortals.
Fashionbeans’ editorial team is your trusted partner in redefining the style of the modern man. Founded in 2007, Fashionbeans has grown into a leading authority in men’s fashion, with millions of readers seeking practical advice, expert insight and real-world inspiration to organize their wardrobe and lifestyle.
Our editorial team has over 50 years of collective experience in fashion journalism, styling and retail. Each editor brings specialized expertise – from luxury fashion and sustainable style to the latest beauty technology and fragrance science. With backgrounds ranging from GQ and Esquire to personal styling for celebrities, our team makes sure every recommendation comes from a place of deep knowledge of the industry.
