Custom pro shoes

[banter]

We all know that a vast majority of pros do not use stock racquets. They could be custom, older racquets with a pj and/or so on. We know a lot about this, but not so much about pros' shoes. Yes, this could be because not that many pros use custom shoes, but shoes, like racquets is another interesting facet of the game that I'm interested in.

So far, I know that Federer and Nadal, both Nike users, have custom-made shoes. If anyone doesn't know about this see this post by Fabfed, who is known to have a ton of Fed gear. Also, see T21D's Cages.

There are significant differences between the pro version and the retail versions of each shoe. Is it a coincidence that these shoes are both produced by Nike?

Are there any other pros that sport the custom shoes?

 

[Jonny S&V]

My guess is that they use the same shoes as you and I, but with orthotics and specially molded to their feet, so not necessarily "pro" shoes, but specially designed shoes, yes.

 

[Seth]

Clijsters mentioned this via Twitter earlier this year. She had complaints about her Fila shoes being too tight, and posted a picture of someone taking a mold of her foot for a custom shoe. Probably the same old Fila shoe, just with a custom footbed and toebox.

 

[Pioneer]

you'd sort of expect them to get custom everything

 

[d-quik]

see T21D's Cages

can't see, link doesn't work

 

[papado]

I believe Dimitrov still uses Vapor 9's in colorways which resemble the current X's; I believe it has the carbon fiber shank and other details which Fed has as well.

 

[lim]

I believe Dimitrov still uses Vapor 9's in colorways which resemble the current X's; I believe it has the carbon fiber shank and other details which Fed has as well.

And custom shaped toe drag panel. Dimi gets some great vapor9s. Would rather have these than the off the shelf stuff...

 

[Deleted member 768841]

And custom shaped toe drag panel. Dimi gets some great vapor9s. Would rather have these than the off the shelf stuff...

The foam on the 9’s looks so much better than retail vapor x. He definitely seems to be using the retail foam setup of the vapor 9, and side by side the 9 looks much plusher, however I never owned a pair. Was it?

 

[WildVolley]

My guess is that they use the same shoes as you and I, but with orthotics and specially molded to their feet, so not necessarily "pro" shoes, but specially designed shoes, yes.

Thiem has custom orthotics. One of his videos from the Canary Islands showed him getting fitted for them.

Federer, on the other hand, is wearing custom lasted shoes. If you have a particularly wide or narrow foot, or one with some weird aspects, getting a shoe built around a custom last would probably boost performance. It definitely would boost comfort.

Do we know of other pros with custom lasted shoes?

 

[Deleted member 768841]

Thiem has custom orthotics. One of his videos from the Canary Islands showed him getting fitted for them.

Federer, on the other hand, is wearing custom lasted shoes. If you have a particularly wide or narrow foot, or one with some weird aspects, getting a shoe built around a custom last would probably boost performance. It definitely would boost comfort.

Do we know of other pros with custom lasted shoes?

Probably Nadal has lasted shoes. The foam and upper like the heel is shaped a different way from retail.

 

[Dae18]

The foam on the 9’s looks so much better than retail vapor x. He definitely seems to be using the retail foam setup of the vapor 9, and side by side the 9 looks much plusher, however I never owned a pair. Was it?

The foam on the ZV9T were great as well as the ZV9.5T. Recently just picked up one for $60 just because of the price.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Thiem has custom orthotics. One of his videos from the Canary Islands showed him getting fitted for them.

Federer, on the other hand, is wearing custom lasted shoes. If you have a particularly wide or narrow foot, or one with some weird aspects, getting a shoe built around a custom last would probably boost performance. It definitely would boost comfort.

Do we know of other pros with custom lasted shoes?

Do you have a link for the Thiem video? Would be interesting to see the process.

 

[BorgCash]

Do you have a link for the Thiem video? Would be interesting to see the process.

You could find it in this thread:

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/thiems-adidas.668412/

 

[Subway Tennis]

You could find it in this thread:

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/thiems-adidas.668412/

Thanks BorgCash

 

[lim]

Fedr has a really interesting custom outsole pattern. I'm guessing those little "dimple" patterns must help transition from sliding to gripping? The leather (?) toe guard always interested me as well. The CF shank is also HUGE..almost 2x the size of the dinky retail one..

Was interested to see what other touring pros used non retail vapors. Looks like the carbon shank is pretty standard.
above pair is mashas...

 

[N01E]

I've noticed that Novak used the last eyelets for his first official gel res 7s in Australia, but stopped doing so since Indian Wells.

Many people complained about heel slippage with the shoe so I wonder if it was the same with Novak and if Asics changed his personal pairs after he's request. I couldn't tell if the ones he wore during practice back in November 2017 had the last eyelets filled, but I assume so.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

I've noticed that Novak used the last eyelets for his first official gel res 7s in Australia, but stopped doing so since Indian Wells.

Many people complained about heel slippage with the shoe so I wonder if it was the same with Novak and if Asics changed his personal pairs after he's request. I couldn't tell if the ones he wore during practice back in November 2017 had the last eyelets filled, but I assume so.

His Gel Resolutions are virtually indistinguishable from retail, and the retail version has that problem because of a too shallow heel counter. It is possible that he has his shoes custom moulded, but it doesn't look like it (probably custom orthotics only).

 

[Dimpelman]

There is also a difference in height of the dimitrov custom vapors, they are higher than stock as you can see. This custom one i use sometimes myself to practice (i have the exact same size) and i dont notice much difference with stock (except the fact they are vapor 9s instead of 9.5 ).

 

[lim]

@Dimpleman no change in feel with the carbon fibre shank?

 

[Dimpelman]

@Dimpleman no change in feel with the carbon fibre shank?

Noop, not a major difference in my opinion

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Noop, not a major difference in my opinion

Ouch!

So, you are telling them ..... the shoes are not that cool anymore?

 

[Dimpelman]

Ouch!

So, you are telling them ..... the shoes are not that cool anymore?

Hahaha no way, i have 4 pair of custom Dimitrov Vapors and would buy more in a heartbeat

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Hahaha no way, i have 4 pair of custom Dimitrov Vapors and would buy more in a heartbeat

Yes, but the "magic" is gone. Now they are just another celebrity item.

 

[Dimpelman]

Yes, but the "magic" is gone. Now they are just another celebrity item.

Haha no I dont agree, they are still custom made, still vapor 9s with the colorway of the 9.5s or X. And as a collector of as many vapors and vapor models i love the fact these are some kind of Frankensteins

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Haha no I dont agree, they are still custom made, still vapor 9s with the colorway of the 9.5s or X. And as a collector of as many vapors and vapor models i love the fact these are some kind of Frankensteins

Well, that is what I said: they are like other shoes of normal production, only specific enough custom made to the requirements of the player (i.e. the sports celebrity). As you say, collectors look for things that are beyond functional, and I was generally addressing the functional part of their existence.

 

[Dimpelman]

Well, that is what I said: they are like other shoes of normal production, only specific enough custom made to the requirements of the player (i.e. the sports celebrity). As you say, collectors look for things that are beyond functional, and I was generally addressing the functional part of their existence.

Ah i get it it could be that some things like the custom carbon shank are noticable if you are training 4 hours everyday or that the shank is a weak point when used extensively. I train about 2 x 3 hours a week so i cant answer that

 

[DFHunter]

Fed's shoes are made in Korea whereas, we are getting ones from the usual place...

 

[kimguroo]

Fed's shoes are made in Korea whereas, we are getting ones from the usual place...

I think Old Nadal and fed shoes were made in Korea but Nike does not make “made in Korea” custom shoes.
Just sold Nishkori custom shoes and was made in Taiwan.