Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour VERY disapppointed in quality.

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by Power Player

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.

Makes sense

I wish we had clay in my country....I played on it in Czech once...awesome for me and I could immediately adapt....would probably suit my game the most...

It is less demanding on shoes also right?

EDIT: ps. You probably play twice as much tennis as me then. The best shoes last me a year or so for one pair.

[Power Player]

I think so for sure. I think hard court is toughest on the body and the shoes, but I love hitting on it.

[Bergboy123]

Hardcourts ftw! Nothing quite the same as that feeling of sliding on hardcourts

[Borrelli]

Originally Posted by Bergboy123

Hardcourts ftw! Nothing quite the same as that feeling of sliding on hardcourts

True. Nothing like the feeling of your ligaments detaching whilst doing so.

[PhotoBlue]

Originally Posted by Borrelli

True. Nothing like the feeling of your ligaments detaching whilst doing so.

Ha, that's why I like barricades the best. They're difficult to intentionally slide in.

[BreakPoint]

Wow, you sound very obsessive about the looks and cleanliness of your tennis shoes. I, on the other hand, NEVER clean my tennis shoes. The "battle scars" on my shoes don't bother me in the least.

BTW, they use mesh to make the shoes lighter in weight. The Vapor line is marketed as a lightweight performance shoe, not a durability shoe. That's why they don't have a 6-month warranty.

[usta2050]

buying vapor 9s @130 is kind of like owning a masterati. if you are worried about how long it can last, you prob shouldn't own it.

[PhotoBlue]

Originally Posted by usta2050

buying vapor 9s @130 is kind of like owning a masterati. if you are worried about how long it can last, you prob shouldn't own it.

Exactly. Buy CB's or barricades if you are worried about your shoes lasting a long time.

[Bartelby]

yes, well, if you pay a lot of money you won't to take it out of the repair shop once in a while even if you're rich.

Originally Posted by usta2050

buying vapor 9s @130 is kind of like owning a masterati. if you are worried about how long it can last, you prob shouldn't own it.

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by usta2050

buying vapor 9s @130 is kind of like owning a masterati. if you are worried about how long it can last, you prob shouldn't own it.

This is a poor excuse of reverse psychology though. "The shoe is faster, so it has an excuse to wear down?" "It is very durable, so it does not need to be comfortable?" - lame excuses. It seems as if companies are sometimes abusing this...If this was not the case, newer models would actually always improve, and not get worse.

[2ManyAces]

those things melted ! ouch

[mbm0912]

Vapor 9 tours will be my next shoe. I've played in the zoom breathes as well as the courtballistec 4.3. I want something lighter.

[usta2050]

Originally Posted by mxmx

This is a poor excuse of reverse psychology though. "The shoe is faster, so it has an excuse to wear down?" "It is very durable, so it does not need to be comfortable?" - lame excuses. It seems as if companies are sometimes abusing this...If this was not the case, newer models would actually always improve, and not get worse.

Life is short and some of us choose to enjoy life and buy a pair of shoes for 130 (I can't afford that).

Look on the positive side, if you enjoyed it and it worked well for your game, then Nike has done its job.

130 is still cheap in a sense that you can't make a shoe like that starting from scratch (design, mold, test, finish).

[Power Player]

I got my Vapors 9s for $100 and $85 new. It's all about finding the right sale.

[cknobman]

I am perfectly happy with my Vapor 9s but of course I bought them knowing what to expect.

They are very lightweight and easy to move around in but at the cost of some durability and possibly even a little traction.

If you want a tank that lasts for more than a month (or two) then do your research and know what your buying companies make plenty of shoes like that (Barricade, Courtballistic, Rebel, T24).

[sports4eva115]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I got my Vapors 9s for $100 and $85 new. It's all about finding the right sale.

got my black/cyber ones for $77 on nike.com and the obsidian/sport red ones for $80 in a store in the mid west

[PhotoBlue]

Awaiting the flames to drop down to $99. I already have the flame 2k12's but can't decide on 4.3 or V9 to get next!

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by usta2050

Life is short and some of us choose to enjoy life and buy a pair of shoes for 130 (I can't afford that).

Look on the positive side, if you enjoyed it and it worked well for your game, then Nike has done its job.

130 is still cheap in a sense that you can't make a shoe like that starting from scratch (design, mold, test, finish).

Fair enough...
I just feel that companies can be a little more transparent at times.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by mxmx

This is a poor excuse of reverse psychology though. "The shoe is faster, so it has an excuse to wear down?" "It is very durable, so it does not need to be comfortable?" - lame excuses. It seems as if companies are sometimes abusing this...If this was not the case, newer models would actually always improve, and not get worse.

Durability requires denser and thicker rubber compounds which are naturally heavier. It also requires thicker and better reinforced materials for uppers which are also heavier. Thus, you can't make a shoe that has maximum durability while having minimum weight at the same time. That would be like making a sports car with a 6.0 liter V-12 engine that has 600HP but still gets better gas mileage than a Prius. You can't have both.

[mxmx]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Durability requires denser and thicker rubber compounds which are naturally heavier. It also requires thicker and better reinforced materials for uppers which are also heavier. Thus, you can't make a shoe that has maximum durability while having minimum weight at the same time. That would be like making a sports car with a 6.0 liter V-12 engine that has 600HP but still gets better gas mileage than a Prius. You can't have both.

Of course you can. Aluminium and Carbon Fibre is stronger, yet lighter? What I'm speaking of are not large changes, and also not extreme users with odd wear and tear places like the OP.

For example:
The B7's has taken off some of the unneeded protection off the top of the shoe...parts where no protection is needed - a lighter shoe as a result. Still just as durable it seems than the B6.
But nothing prevented them from extending the toe part on the barracade TEAM shoes 5mm higher. It would not have made a weight difference and it would have increased durability A LOT. But if they did this, no one would buy the more expensive barracades.

What I'm speaking of, is that it is easier to sell more shoes if they wear out quicker. Nike's reputation is just good enough for them to get away with it.
Does the CB 4.3 sole have more durability than the B7's? I doubt it...people should ask themselves why.
I have seen the same occur with New Balance.
At my club, they had the best reputation at one time. Very good durability and good value. They probably lasted too long...because the series that followed, was one of the worst shoes I've ever seen. At least three members switched to either nike or adidas since then.

Point is: There are strategic elements in place to fool buyers. Because there is nothing better around, I am forced as well to fall for their tricks. They have a monopoly, and can do as they please.