Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour VERY disapppointed in quality.

[Dragan]

If you played on carpet, then it's kind of expected. One month of playing indoors (carpet) eats sole of my shoes more than 4 months playing on red clay. It's simply crazy abrasive, and any friction from skidding simply melts plastics/polyuretane on you shoes.

[BHiC]

Originally Posted by Hollywood2

I'm not even going to really answer this question. I'm right handed the pictures are of the left shoe. Think about tennis and the physics of the ball and I'm sure you can figure it out.

Alright, I have thought about the physics of a tennis ball. I still can't see how a majority of the people can drag their toes like that. Honestly when I tried to recreate wearing that part of your shoe, I assumed that you were right handed and this was the left shoe. I still felt like my ankle was going to break! I told you, I play 20+ hrs a week, and my shoes do not have ANY wear at the spot you showed. I think that this is just an unlucky case of that the shoe is not build for someone who moves like you do. Not every shoe is perfect for every style of movement, and I think you found the one that doesn't hold up to your style. Not everyone has your style of movement, and I would bet that the majority of tennis players do not wear that spot on their shoes. This does not mean the shoes are bad for everyone, they just are for you. It also does not mean that everyone who doesn't move like you is bad at tennis.

Originally Posted by Dragan

If you played on carpet, then it's kind of expected. One month of playing indoors (carpet) eats sole of my shoes more than 4 months playing on red clay. It's simply crazy abrasive, and any friction from skidding simply melts plastics/polyuretane on you shoes.

Ok, I completely agree with this, but the OP did not have a problem with the sole durability of the shoe. He burnt a hole through a spot that Nike was assuming the majority of tennis players would not wear out on their shoes.

[anhuynh16]

I know plenty of people who burn it on the side first ^
When you reach for a ball on a slice, you foot naturally goes on the side.

[BHiC]

Originally Posted by anhuynh16

I know plenty of people who burn it on the side first ^
When you reach for a ball on a slice, you foot naturally goes on the side.

I stand corrected

[rafafan20]

The shoes aren't for you, thats why there are about 12 different brands...

[michaelscoots]

As others have mentioned, the Vapor line isn't the most durable. That said, I have plenty of Vapor 6's kicking around. The tops look almost NEW! Yet, they all wear out at the big toe for me. I get wearing just up from that at the tip of the shoe, but none of mine have any wear close to the wear on the OP's shoes.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone drag that part of the shoe on hard court (clay, sure while sliding). I think Nike could make this shoe a touch more durable but many of us like them b/c of the lightweight qualities. I'd change your technique on hard court...seems like it would be a good thing to do in preventing an ankle roll as well. But I don't think Nike would be responsible for something like this. Find a shoe that has good protection in the area you drag and you'll be good to go.

[JoelDali]

Patiently waiting for the Annacone Vapour 10.

[Rafa4Ever]

I don't see anything wrong in the pictures. This is ridiculous, shoes are mean't to be worn, not looked at.

[Rafa4Ever]

I play close to 5 hours everyday and these shoes only wear in the normal places. The toe drag guard is the only area on t eupper that shows wear. If you are wear out the TOP of your shoe then you're doing somethign wrong.

[lidoazndiabloboi]

isn't the two rectangular panels on the inside of the foot designed for dragging. The location that you are destroying just seems like bad form.

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by gavna

Exactly......plus any lightweight shoe is going to be less durable.period. You have to weigh the options between lightweight performance vs durability.

I don't think one should generalize in all instances though...even though i "generally agree that heavier is more durable"
For example: Adidas barricade "team" shoes, will be much more durable if they had a little rubber on top of the toes. A Nike Vapor shoe, may be more durable in this area, than a so called durable Barricade 6 or 7.

Most of my critical wear and tear(holes) is at the tip of my shoe, as well as at the top of the toes.

If it were not for the lack of protection of adidas on their more recent shoes, i would have instantly got barricades again....

As for the OP: The barracade 6's would have been perfect for his problem area - solid rubber protection there....

[mbm0912]

People clean their shoes after playing? I've had good luck with the Zoom Breathe, currently playing in the Courtballistec 4.3s which seem to be good quality also.

[Power Player]

I have 2 pair of Vapor 9s and they are incredible quality. I rotate mine so I can get more time out of them.

[Gonzalito17]

With all due respect, what a whiner! If you don't like the quality of the shoes, simply change to Wilson or New Balance - much better shoes than Nike who every serious player knows makes a mediocre shoe.

These Vapors look flashy but they do not look aerodynamic or functional. They only sell because Federer wears them. Pretty sure Fed's Vapors or modified too. Try the NB 1187, helluva shoe.

[Vertiz]

Seeing as I just wasted my time reading that I'll troll some more. Vapor = gas. gas disperses quickly. vapor 9 wears very quickly. Regardless, normal wear and tear isn't associated with that part of the shoe.....although court ballistec 4.3s have you covered. I'd suggest buying 4.3s or improve your footwork. Don't drag your feet around like a sloth. Light and on the balls of your feet.

[miami]

I agree 100% with the original poster, which is why I stocked up on Vapor 8 before they disappeared. Quality was much better with Vapor 8, as soon as I picked up Vapor 9 it was apparent. Definitely valid criticism

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by Hollywood2

Hello everyone sorry the typo with the word disappointed in the heading.

I purchased the Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour Limited Edition shoe (White & Red sole) for $130 plus tax and of course shipping.....boy am I disappointed now less than 2 months of ownership. You know that feeling like you have just had your wallet pick pocketed by a con job. This is how I feel unfortunately today.

I can't begin to explain the care I have taken to keep my Nike Zoom Vapor 9 in tip top condition and looking white after each and every match I clean them carefully, which is only twice a week playing mild indoors sessions. I use a Tide stick to remove any black marks and then a paper towel to wipe clean so they look almost new....I do this every time and I'm not a hard core player with heavy feet.

During play I carefully make sure not to drag hard my left shoe if I need to get a low volley etc. But shoe dragging is a good form in tennis so why make a TOUR shoe that can't stand up to even brief mild shoe dragging. Seriously?????

To my dismay, the mesh on the shoe now has some holes and in some spots melting (mesh material seems like it's a plastic/fabric hybrid), I knew this was going to be a problem. Nike should have extended the toe drag barrier further to the side of the shoe but instead decided to leave it with mesh. This design was NO accident Nike knew what they were doing because they realized that people would wear these shoes out in less than a month or two and just go buy a few more pairs at $130 per pair.

Nike's City Court VII WIDE Men's shoe sells for $55 almost 1/3 less and will last 3 times much longer than the Zoom Vapor 9 Zoom that cost $130+.

As a Nike customer, I feel that I am being tricked by a corporation that wants to sell me what seems to "look" like an expensive shoe but is really cheap constructed shoe materials. The tongue on the inside looks like someone with scissors cut the sides exposing the yellow foaming.....cheap!! The mesh lasts as long as a Kleenex.
Nike is no longer interested in making a value and quality product in a shoe which is a path or road that's leading to destroying a great company. People are stupid like myself and bought the hype of the best shoe ever....not even close. I'm going to boycott Nike Vapor shoes until this problem is fixed.

The mesh on the shoe is probably a little thicker than that of a two ply paper towel,,.(okay joking but pretty close). The mesh is so so cheap Nike should me embarrassed they even made these shoes and advertised them as the Roger Federer's tournament shoe....that's insulting.

The shoe does offer lightness/looks and comfort but I need it to last one season minimum especially for my occasional playing on hard court they did cost $130! This could have been avoided if their toe guard was properly designed but someone higher up the corporate ladder knew people would buy more shoes if we make them fall apart after a few months use.

Here below are a few new pics of my complaints which clearly show the beginning stages of mesh shredding and a little bit of the (drag on) toe wearing down. It is so easy to burn a whole through these shoes in just one practice session with that mesh if you're not careful.

The bottom line is for the money these shoes should be MUCH better quality. They should fire the person who said lets put MESH on a tennis shoe so that they wear out in a month and have customers buy more shoes. Even La Ning can make a better shoe that will last longer.....seriously c'mon Nike stop being so CHEAP!!!!

I don't recommend these shoes at all unless you are absolutely in love and have ordered 7 pairs to make it past one season. I now have to take my shoes to a shoe repair shop and see if they can stitch real white leather in those spots that are exposed mesh holes near the sole. The mesh is going to wear out very, very quickly no matter how careful you play. I'm a 4.5 player with good technique and hardly drag but do have to tilt my left foot for obvious low volley shots or slices etc. This shoe does not measure up to the hype in terms of quality.

These are pictures of my left shoe, I'm a right handed player.

Get the Yonex 308 shoes or Asics Resolution. Both are on sale. Great quality, comfort and durability. For me Nike is like Babolat, all propaganda, and marketing but limited substance and quality.

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I have 2 pair of Vapor 9s and they are incredible quality. I rotate mine so I can get more time out of them.

Shoes don't rest though. Rotating shoes does not mean they last longer. It merely means two pairs share the same workload over the same period of time.
One doesn't get more time out of your shoes by rotating them...it is rather that their time on court is halved. It is like having two rackets instead of one...strings last just as long on one racket than on two, except that with two rackets, its more convenient having to string it much later and it feels as if they last longer.

This is not saying I dislike the idea of rotation though...I'm considering getting 2-3 pairs of more affordable shoes and rotating them - instead of just 1 pair of vapors or barracades.

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by mxmx

Shoes don't rest though. Rotating shoes does not mean they last longer. It merely means two pairs share the same workload over the same period of time.
One doesn't get more time out of your shoes by rotating them...it is rather that their time on court is halved. It is like having two rackets instead of one...strings last just as long on one racket than on two, except that with two rackets, its more convenient having to string it much later and it feels as if they last longer.

This is not saying I dislike the idea of rotation though...I'm considering getting 2-3 pairs of more affordable shoes and rotating them - instead of just 1 pair of vapors or barracades.

Yonex 308 are 89 dollars. I repeat Yonex 308 are 89 dollars on SALE.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by mxmx

Shoes don't rest though. Rotating shoes does not mean they last longer. It merely means two pairs share the same workload over the same period of time.
One doesn't get more time out of your shoes by rotating them...it is rather that their time on court is halved. It is like having two rackets instead of one...strings last just as long on one racket than on two, except that with two rackets, its more convenient having to string it much later and it feels as if they last longer.

This is not saying I dislike the idea of rotation though...I'm considering getting 2-3 pairs of more affordable shoes and rotating them - instead of just 1 pair of vapors or barracades.

If I have 1 pair of shoes that lasts for 3 months, and that is all I wore. If I half the amount of time put into those same shoes by alternating in another pair I can go for 6 months without worrying about shoes.

Of course as you said, the $$ is still the same - but there are advantages. the main one is the summer heat and sweat..wearing sweaty shoes that did not full dry out is pretty awful, and that is themain reason I do it.

The other reason is if one pair blows out, I'm not totally screwed.

The third is that I can use an older pair of shoes that did not blow out, but did have some good use, and designate them for clay only. Doing all those things has really helped me prolong my shoe life even though the cost is about the same. Its just a far better experience. So my main point is that I always budget for 2 pairs of shoes at the same time, play a ton of tennis, and still only have to buy twice a year on average.