Courtballistec's 4.3 or Vapor 9?

[Fintft]

Myself (being 6'2" and heavy) I prefer the 4.3s for support (plus warranty- I usually get a second pair free).

But the support is a biggie, the Vapors 9 feel like cloth on clay (after a few months), while on hard court I'm wobbling in them (if the sole lasts as long).

The 4.3 allow me to move almost as fast (well, faster in fact, due to the needed support); what I'm getting it is, that they don't feel clunkier then the Vapors (similar to the older Barricades like 5).

What do you think?

[Lukhas]

They are pretty much on the opposite on scales of shoes... Hard time wondering why you are indecisive between the two in fact! As for high end Nike shoes, Nike has a pretty clear strategy. You have the bulky, heavy but durable CB on a side. The light, slipper-like but not durable at all Vapor. And one shoe in the middle, the old 2k line, now replaced by the Air Max Cage.

Why not trying an other brand? Asics' Gel Resolution 5 is guaranteed and is pretty comfortable. As are Wilson's Rush Pro. Or Babolat's Propulse 4. All these stands in-between, like the Air Max Cage. Alhtough I seem to be one of the lone guys who like the Air Max Cage... If you grind your shoes near the heel it may be worth trying another brand, since Nike's heel protection is pretty much lower than other brands.

[TroutSc]

I'm wondering the same thing. Looking at the cb and the cage now.

I've been using gr4s, then went to the gr5. I bought my gr5s on 3/20 and have a huge piece of foam sticking out already on the right toe area, the sole lasted less than 2 months...I was getting 4/5 months out of the 4s. The 5s looked more durable, maybe I got a bum pair. I'm about to send them back so I need to figure out what to get now so I can send em.

[Fintft]

Originally Posted by Lukhas

They are pretty much on the opposite on scales of shoes... Hard time wondering why you are indecisive between the two in fact! As for high end Nike shoes, Nike has a pretty clear strategy. You have the bulky, heavy but durable CB on a side. The light, slipper-like but not durable at all Vapor. And one shoe in the middle, the old 2k line, now replaced by the Air Max Cage.

Why not trying an other brand? Asics' Gel Resolution 5 is guaranteed and is pretty comfortable. As are Wilson's Rush Pro. Or Babolat's Propulse 4. All these stands in-between, like the Air Max Cage. Alhtough I seem to be one of the lone guys who like the Air Max Cage... If you grind your shoes near the heel it may be worth trying another brand, since Nike's heel protection is pretty much lower than other brands.

Ah, just b/c I love both Nadal and Federer
And I thought Vapor might be faster, while not having a long lasting guaranteed sole, but I wasn't prepared for the lack of support (say after a few weeks of playing).

As for Asics, as the previous poster is stating I don't trust them yet.
Having said all of that I only use one Asiscs tennis shoe (mid level around $60 and not the top ones GR5- which I've never tried) for ...walking.
The inside lining is the first one to go, it seems.

Babolat? My younger regular partner, who moves even more aggressively then me (while also being heavier) had some that didn't last at all, so I had to recommend him the Barricades and now he doesn't want to switch to anything else.

I might give Nike's Cage a shot at some point though...After I use my 3 new CBs 4.3 and a "spare" pair of Barricades though. The Vapor are just garbage for me in this stage of tennis.

I wear my shoes at the toes first, like the outside of right one, probably b/c of changing directions, or my aggressive open stance FH.

[Lukhas]

Well you should trust Asics. They are really good shoes. Not very sexy, but very good performing. The Cage have a loose ankle and fit wider than most shoes, try them before buying them. They become a bit looser as time goes on. I don't notice it since I play on clay, so the shoe stiffens up a bit, but other users have reported it. The big toe wear area is reinforced, so it may last a bit longer. The Wilson Rush Pro also are pretty good, worth a try.

[Fintft]

Originally Posted by Lukhas

Well you should trust Asics. They are really good shoes. Not very sexy, but very good performing. The Cage have a loose ankle and fit wider than most shoes, try them before buying them. They become a bit looser as time goes on. I don't notice it since I play on clay, so the shoe stiffens up a bit, but other users have reported it. The big toe wear area is reinforced, so it may last a bit longer. The Wilson Rush Pro also are pretty good, worth a try.

Thanks for your kind reply, but maybe not The " becoming a bit looser as time goes on." part is what takes me away from Vapors and it happens even with CBs 4.3 after 3-4 months...

[Lukhas]

Well if you don't destroy a pair of CBs in 3-4 months and only abondon it due to fit issues, you maybe have better business with other brands IMO. Already stated the possibilities, can't tell much more than to try.

[TroutSc]

I'm going with the black/volt 4.3s for 90 and sending back my gr5s to asics. Hope they feel as good as the gr5s. Guess ill get some more gr5s from warranty. The 5s feel good, but 1.5 months is rough @ 130 bucks.

[Tyler91]

OP, the 4.3 outsole will always last longer, so why buy the V9 if the 4.3 feels just as good to you.

For my money, the V9 is close to perfect....the 4.3 is clunky by comparison IMO.

[S&V Specialist]

Check out the Lotto Raptor Ultra IV Speed. Using them now and am loving them.

[quest01]

Prefer the vapor 9's, wider fit and lower arch compared to the 4.3s and lighter. Also there lower to the ground, softer feeling and the lacing system is better, 4.3s eyelets have a tendency to break. Only issue with the 9's is durability.

[Lukhas]

Originally Posted by S&V Specialist

Check out the Lotto Raptor Ultra IV Speed. Using them now and am loving them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAs_TSAJP60

Well, how does the heel holds compared to a Nike shoe? My only problem with Nike is the poor heel protection since it's where I grind the shoe. And the outer part of it looks very thin.
http://img.tenniswarehouse-europe.co.../LMRU4WB-2.jpg

EDIT:Ignore the last part, gonna ask the playtesters for this.

[Fintft]

Originally Posted by Lukhas

Well if you don't destroy a pair of CBs in 3-4 months and only abondon it due to fit issues, you maybe have better business with other brands IMO. Already stated the possibilities, can't tell much more than to try.

But I do distroy CBs 4.3 in 3-4 months:

- The thread goes bare (most of the toes area- hence become slippery for me on hc so I send them back for a free pair under warranty. No holes though).


- The support starts to go.

- The laces will break eventually (if it's after 3-4 months I just sew one back)

[Fintft]

Originally Posted by Tyler91

OP, the 4.3 outsole will always last longer, so why buy the V9 if the 4.3 feels just as good to you.

For my money, the V9 is close to perfect....the 4.3 is clunky by comparison IMO.

I wanted to try Roger's shoes to see how faster they feel compared to 4.3s, as you said. I was hoping to be able to use them at least on clay, but not after 3 months (they feel like cloth).

I'm very heavy mind you, 6' 2" and 100 kgs/220 LBs and move as aggressively as I can. I need good support in my shoes in order to be able to change direction lol.

[Fintft]

Originally Posted by quest01

Prefer the vapor 9's, wider fit and lower arch compared to the 4.3s and lighter. Also there lower to the ground, softer feeling and the lacing system is better, 4.3s eyelets have a tendency to break. Only issue with the 9's is durability.

And the lack of support, after a few weeks of play (for the Vapor 9's), if you are heavy.

[NJ1]

Nike should re-rlease the CourtBallistec 2.3. Breathable, durable, good looking, stable, grippy and very comfortable with all the padding around the upper. Favorite tennis shoes I've ever worn and I've tried a bunch.

[Fedest]

Basically I believe the comfort wise, the vapor 9 is better.

Performance, I think either vapor 9 & cb 4.3 are great.

Durability and support, definately cb 4.3.

I was a great fan of vapor series and I still am love them.

Didn't like cb series much but 4.3 definately got me.

They got wide fit (My foot is wide) and performance is great!

If you think the comfort is the most important thing for tennis shoes, go for vapor, but performance, cushion and durability are more important than comfort, go for cb 4.3~!!

[HIGHER_PRIMATE]

Im built like you, Vapor 9s only for clay, youll slip everywhere on hard courts. Stay with the B7s and 4.3s on hardcourts, but on clay, Ive found nothing better than a pair of V9s.

[TroutSc]

Got my CBs in today. Played 1.5 hrs, they feel good. I've typically been using asics, 2 pairs of gr4s and a pair of gr5s. Had a pair of Nike breathe 2k12s in there as well, all have made it about 4 months before getting a hole in the sole under my right toe. The gr5s had the shortest life, about 1.5 months. Sending those back today now that the CBs came in. I'm assuming asics will send me a new pair of 5s. In the meantime, I guess I'll see how the cb holds up. They do feel just fine.

[Fintft]

Originally Posted by HIGHER_PRIMATE

Im built like you, Vapor 9s only for clay, youll slip everywhere on hard courts. Stay with the B7s and 4.3s on hardcourts, but on clay, Ive found nothing better than a pair of V9s.

Come back to me in a few months if not weeks my friend, with your aggressive movement, even on clay

I've used Vapors 9 last year on clay, b/c they were new, but this spring after trying them again, I was appalled on the lack of support (can't really judge traction as on hard courts) so, I went back to CBs.