Power Sneakers

Power Sneakers are the distinctive footwear of Sonic the Hedgehog. They are mainly red, with a gold buckle and white strap and cuffs. They have pointed toes. The term may sometimes refer to certain item boxes available in early games of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, depicting the Power Sneakers on the screen, that temporarily increase Sonic's speed.

Although Sonic is naturally fast, several continuities (such as Sonic the Comic and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog) established that the Power Sneakers were designed to reduce friction on his feet, thus allowing him to run at his full potential.

Sonic the Comic
In Sonic the Comic, the Power Sneakers were created and given to Sonic by Doctor Ovi Kintobor. (Sonic had, until this time, worn a tatty pair of trainers.) During Sonic's first use of the Power Sneakers, on the Kinetic Gyratoscope, he managed to break the sound barrier for the first time. The resulting shockwaves fused his spines and turned him from his original brown into his more familiar streamlined, blue shape.

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic's need to wear Power Sneakers to protect his feet was dealt with in an episode of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, "The Mystery of the Missing Hi-Tops".