I agree, most Nike shoes now a days do not look like high performance, for example the cage 4 or the Zoom zero. Looking at shoes like the breathe free 2 and it looks like an actual tank shoe.
The cage 4 is a very durable shoe. Great ride and feels like a descendant of the court ballistec line.
At the time, it was the closest that one shoe had ever come to ticking every box. Before the BFII's you pretty much had to compromise in at least one area in high performance tennis shoes. Oscillates were very good, but the leather didn't breathe (thankfully leather was on the way out in tennis shoes). Barricade II's were incredible in terms of looks and performance, but they also had their limitations.
Yep - back then this was the only thing that could hold a candle to the Barricade and I'd say the BFIIs were actually a little better balanced overall.
I recall the heel cushioning worked quite well at the expense of a lot of drop from the heel to the front of the shoe.
Nike needs to use this shoe as their standard for quality, and recently all their shoes have been falling FAAAAAAAAAR short. If you're listening Nike, bring this shoe back
I wish Nike would create an official account on here like Babolat and Head I think, then we could tell them our thoughts. However they are too big to listen to the consumers unless there is an actual problem in there books, which is rare, considering I’ve never seen them pull back a tennis shoe over something like stability or support/ traction.
Really? They pulled back the 7? Why so?
Ah I see, I would bet the traction ripped your knees off, thing looked like a sore lip.
Never owned a pair, but they looked like tanks
You are probably thinking of the original cage. Great shoe, I probably burned through 12 pair.
Beat me to it! Amazing shoe - I was younger back then and am surprised I managed to convince my parents to let me pick this colorway up, they thought it was hideous!
Yea, it's just the update to the BFII, basically the same shoe with a different cosmetic.
I’m almost sure they did a BF2 with yellow mesh and whiteMy first "performance" tennis shoe, I believe. Did they ever run them in a yellow mesh? I think I had those, but cannot seem to find an image of them.
EDIT: Think I had the one below -- might be the breathe cage? What do people think of them when compared to the BF2s?
PE?
My first "performance" tennis shoe, I believe. Did they ever run them in a yellow mesh? I think I had those, but cannot seem to find an image of them.
EDIT: Think I had the one below -- might be the breathe cage? What do people think of them when compared to the BF2s?
Black with Yellow mesh. Moya wore them at the 2004 French Open
That’s some high praise. It makes the Cage and barricades sound like dress shoes.
I have this one in the black and white colorway but the foam is yellowed and was too big (I use 10 and they are 10.5) . Still outsole is great and never think I used itYou are probably thinking of the original cage. Great shoe, I probably burned through 12 pair.
Same sole as the BFII.
J
but CB and now the Cage 4 are great for me.The Nike Cage was created from the BFII (Zoom Breathe Free, Air Max Breathe Free 2, Air Max Breathe Free 3, Air Max Breathe Cage, Air Max Breathe Cage 2, Air Max Courtballistec 1.3, 2.3, 3.3, 4.3, Lunar Ballistec, etc...
Yes comfort was definitely a highlight of this shoe.
