Federer paint job on his shoes

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by AlpineCadet

That's probably not the intended case at all. Federer is using the vapor 4 with a custom made outsole, probably for better traction/speed in combination with the benefits of the original shoe. When you're the top ranked player, why not have the best of Nike shoes all molded into one? It's not a paintjob or a design to trick the public into buying something else.

But who knows what's actually inside the shoe? What type of cushioning system? Support system? If the cushioning has been taken out (like some pros like)? It could basically be a totally custom made shoe that just has uppers that look like the latest model. Suffice to say that it's not an off-the-shelf shoe. So for people that buy the shoe because they want to wear the exact same shoe as Federer, they are out of luck, and are fooled into thinking that they are buying the exact same shoe that Federer wears. So, to me, it is a "paintjob". Just like paintjob racquets fool people into buying a racquet they think a pro uses, but it's actually not.

[AlpineCadet]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

So for people that buy the shoe because they want to wear the exact same shoe as Federer, they are out of luck, and are fooled into thinking that they are buying the exact same shoe that Federer wears. So, to me, it is a "paintjob". Just like paintjob racquets fool people into buying a racquet they think a pro uses, but it's actually not.

Roger Federer just has a CUSTOM MADE Vapor 4. Nike is not intentionally trying to "fool" people into buying their shoes.

btw, whatever the case, it's not a "paintjob" lol.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by AlpineCadet

Roger Federer just has a CUSTOM MADE Vapor 4. Nike is not intentionally trying to "fool" people into buying their shoes.

btw, whatever the case, it's not a "paintjob" lol.

But then why not just sell the exact same shoe that they make for Federer to the public?

Or come out publicly and tell everyone that "THIS IS NOT THE SAME SHOE AS WORN BY ROGER FEDERER"? They don't do that, do they? They could easily put a disclaimer in all of their marketing materials and advertising to make sure people understand that the retail Vapor 4 is not the exact shoe that Federer wears, right? The fact that they don't do that means they want the public to believe that the retail Vapor 4 is the exact same shoe that Federer wears as that's how they market it. Isn't that "fooling" the public into buying "Federer's shoe"?

They could have also made Federer's custom shoe look totally different from the retail shoe but they made it "look" just like the retail shoe. Why? I think the answer is obvious.

So, to me, this is no different than making a custom racquet for a pro and then painting it to look like a current retail racquet - a la paintjob.

[Steve Huff]

I'm sure it's a paintjob. He wears a size 9, and those are definitely a size 11.

[AlpineCadet]

Originally Posted by Steve Huff

I'm sure it's a paintjob. He wears a size 9, and those are definitely a size 11.

LOL. Now that's exactly the answer to the puzzle. Did you hear that breakpoint?

[AlpineCadet]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

They could have also made Federer's custom shoe look totally different from the retail shoe but they made it "look" just like the retail shoe. Why? I think the answer is obvious.

They built upon the Vapor 4 shoe and gave him a custom outsole. You are too much with your crazy theories of collusion.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by AlpineCadet

They built upon the Vapor 4 shoe and gave him a custom outsole. You are too much with your crazy theories of collusion.

What "collusion"? Nike makes a custom shoe for Federer and then markets a different shoe as the one that Federer is wearing. Simple as that. I would do the same if I were Nike.

If they gave him a custom outsole, how do you know what else in the shoe is custom? A VERY reliable source told me that many pros have custom made shoes even if on the outside they look identical to the retail version of the shoe. The amount and type of cushioning and support inside the shoe could be very different than what's in the retail version. Can you tell from looking at that pic how much and what type of cushioning and support are inside his Vapor 4's? Or even what kind of technology is in there? Maybe it contains no "Air" at all? Now, if a shoe has different cushioning, support, technology, and outsole than the retail Vapor 4, then is it still a "Vapor 4"? I say no.

[Steve Huff]

I've had disagreements with Deuce before, but he's respectful of my views, and he backs his opinions intelligently. So when you say, "who cares what Deuce has to say?", well, I for one, respect his opinions and view them generally as knowledgable and well thoughout.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by AlpineCadet

lol, there's no collusion on Nike's part or Federer's part as you're making it out to be. He has a custom shoe that was designed AFTER the release of the Vapor 4 to the public. I can see where you're coming from though.

Sorry, but Federer started wearing his custom made shoes that LOOK like the Vapor 4 BEFORE the Vapor 4 was released to the public. You can do a search if you don't believe me.

Besides, he's ALWAYS worn custom made shoes. It didn't just start with the Vapor 4.

[AlpineCadet]

Originally Posted by BigServer1

I care what Deuce has to say. He holds other members of this board in high regard, whether or not he agrees with what they have to say. What Deuce seems to be "all about" is being generally open minded and considerate of people's opinions. If that is a crime then convict me as well.

As for CC's compliment...You can indeed be helpful and respectful IF and WHEN people agree with what you are saying. Once there is a disagreement or you're called out on the carpet for something, the gloves fly and it's on. But maybe my opinion doesn't matter...Maybe because I joined in July of 2006 and my post count cowers in the shadow of yours I should just cower right along with it. It sure is refreshing to have a senior member of these boards pull rank on someone as a last resort because their argument has been beaten 6 ways to Sunday. That shows amazing class, BP, and it's something Deuce isn't known for.

I really couldn't have said that better myself.


BTW breakpoint, the Vapor 4 came out before the Australian Open picture of Federer's outsole. So where's your proof?

[OrangeOne]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Besides, he's ALWAYS worn custom made shoes. It didn't just start with the Vapor 4.

Yup, when he was kicking around as a 17 yr old, Nike were making him custom shoes. In fact, when he was on his high school tennis team, again, he had those custom shoes on. And you should have seen the custom booties he had as a 2 year old!

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by AlpineCadet

BTW breakpoint, the Vapor 4 came out before the Australian Open picture of Federer's outsole. So where's your proof?

Do I have to do all your searching for you?

Here he is at Kooyong before the AO playing in his Vapor 4 look-a-likes:



And why does it really matter WHEN it came out as far as if Federer is wearing a custom shoe or not anyway? When people see him wearing it on TV, people will flock to the stores or to TW and buy the shoes thinking that since Federer is the best mover and has the best footwork in tennis, that if they bought the same shoes that they could also move like Federer, or at the very least, improve their footwork. This may or may not be the case since the shoe they are buying is not the same shoe as the one Federer wears.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by OrangeOne

Yup, when he was kicking around as a 17 yr old, Nike were making him custom shoes. In fact, when he was on his high school tennis team, again, he had those custom shoes on. And you should have seen the custom booties he had as a 2 year old!

Didn't you know Federer was born wearing custom tennis shoes? That's why he's such a natural mover on the tennis court.

Of course I mean when he became a top pro on the ATP Tour, which is not a recent phenomenon. You don't have to be #1 in the world to get custom made shoes. I'm sure Nike has been making custom shoes for Federer for a long, long time, and probably well before the original Vapor 1's. It's really not that hard to do. Nike just takes pieces from different shoes and puts them together and makes sure they fit his feet perfectly. Even recreational players get custom orthotics put into their shoes.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

When people see him wearing it on TV, people will flock to the stores or to TW and buy the shoes thinking that since Federer is the best mover and has the best footwork in tennis, that if they bought the same shoes that they could also move like Federer, or at the very least, improve their footwork. This may or may not be the case since the shoe they are buying is not the same shoe as the one Federer wears.

So let me try to get this straight (as if that's ever possible with you)...
You say that no-one is buying/using the K-90 tennis racquet because of Federer's influence, but people will be flocking to the stores to buy the shoes that Federer appears to be wearing.

So people want to wear the 'same' shoes as Federer, but not play with the 'same' racquet as Federer. That is what you're saying.

But, then again, you yourself did also say that what you write in one thread has nothing to do with what you write in another thread. And this fact is painfully (and humorously) obvious to a growing number of people here.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Deuce

So let me try to get this straight (as if that's ever possible with you)...
You say that no-one is buying/using the K-90 tennis racquet because of Federer's influence, but people will be flocking to the stores to buy the shoes that Federer appears to be wearing.

So people want to wear the 'same' shoes as Federer, but not play with the 'same' racquet as Federer. That is what you're saying.

But, then again, you yourself did also say that what you write in one thread has nothing to do with what you write in another thread. And this fact is painfully (and humorously) obvious to a growing number of people here.

Do people demo shoes? When was the last time you read a review of a shoe demo from a poster here?

I said specifically "most of the people on this board are playing with the K90 because they liked it after they tried it and NOT just because Federer uses it.". If they didn't like it, they wouldn't be using it, regardless of what Federer is using. Did you not read most of the K90 reviews?

With shoes, you have to buy it to try it. People will buy it because of Federer, but now you're stuck with the shoe if you don't like it. That's not the case with racquets. You can demo it first and then decide if it works for your game. If it does, you buy it because you like it and not because of Federer. If it doesn't, you don't buy it regardless of Federer. I don't know of too many people that bought the K90 because of Federer even though they absolutely HATED the racquet when they demoed it, do you?

[OrangeOne]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Didn't you know Federer was born wearing custom tennis shoes? That's why he's such a natural mover on the tennis court.

Of course I mean when he became a top pro on the ATP Tour, which is not a recent phenomenon. You don't have to be #1 in the world to get custom made shoes. I'm sure Nike has been making custom shoes for Federer for a long, long time, and probably well before the original Vapor 1's.

Besides, he's ALWAYS worn custom made shoes.

Well, it's good to know that by 'ALWAYS' (in capitals and all), you meant 'since he became a top pro on the ATP tour'. That's an interesting qualification on the word 'ALWAYS', don't you think?

Even recreational players get custom orthotics put into their shoes.

I've been wearing custom orthotics for 5 years now. But thanks for pointing it out

Do people demo shoes?

I know some kids who may walk into a shoe store and buy the shoes player-X wears, but very few others. Usually current shoe models are obscenely overpriced, and contain very few differences to the heavily discounted and still available shoes from 1 or 2 seasons ago...

Most people I know rock on into a tennis (sports, shoe) store and try on a few different pairs within a certain price range. Sure, it's no measure at all of how they'll break in, or how they'll wear, or how they'll feel specifically on a court, but at least trying on a few pairs is better than "buying the Fed shoe".

It's a start. Some people do as much as they can. I know I couldn't tell you the specific shoe that any pro wears, but I can tell you I was the 'crazy' guy doing 5-step-sprints while 'demoing' in the shoe store a few months ago when I bought my last pair of tennis shoes.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by OrangeOne

Well, it's good to know that by 'ALWAYS' (in capitals and all), you meant 'since he became a top pro on the ATP tour'. That's an interesting qualification on the word 'ALWAYS', don't you think?

I think that's a qualification that most knowledgeable and logical people would make rather than assuming that I meant he's been wearing custom made tennis shoes to play tennis in when he was 2-years old as you asserted.

[OrangeOne]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

I think that's a qualification that most knowledgeable and logical people would make rather than assuming that I meant he's been wearing custom made tennis shoes to play tennis in when he was 2-years old as you asserted.

I sarcastically made that remark to prove a point, I didn't assert it. You know that, I know your English skills are more than capable of understanding that.

And anyways....my test is complete. When you want to criticise others for poor usage or understanding, you go to town. When you (ab)use language poorly, you subsequently twist and turn your way out of it. You said one thing (ALWAYS), you meant a very different thing (top ATP Pro), and now you defend you previous exaggeration.

The more interesting analysis would be why the exaggeration? Why did you feel the need to make such a large assertion in regards to Federer and shoes? If it's for other than to inflate your own ego / 'self-importance', well knock me down with a feather.

Oh - thanks for skipping my whole point on why people buy shoes, that many most people buy shoes that they try on and like, as opposed to overpriced latest model shoes that Fed wears. I'll just assume you skipped the point because you realised it's validity and thus decided further discussion would be of nugatory benefit? Yes, I think I shall.

Guys...
I am definetely sure that Federer's shoes are customised... apart from the out sole, there are also difference. If you have a look at his shoes in the pictures I attached, you can clearly see the 'silver part' of the shoes are different from the retail version. I have looked up some other player's shoes, such as James Blake, and I found out that its only Federer's shoes that are different, hence, I think that players wear the 'off the shelf' shoes apart from Federer(whose shoes are being customised) and Sharapova who is wearing the Vapor II.
Thats what I think, and I hope you could understand what I am talking about.

[Kid Carlos]

Where did you score a pic of those, as well do you have a sole shot? Nice pic BTW.