Cut the Uni-Tongue of Nike Courtballistec 3.3

[johnvujohn]

I have always had a hard time breaking in the Nike Courtballistec 3.3s so I decided to buy another new pair of them and test this theory all Nadal fans have, that his single tongue shoe is more comfortable as opposed to the retail uni-tongue version.

I must note that this alteration does indeed feel more comfortable. The retail 3.3s have a uni-tongue similar to the 2.3s but instead has a thinner layer and is deeper inside the shoe as opposed to the 2.3's thick layer. However, the 3.3 is still too tight, in my opinion.

Thus, I cut the tongue even deeper (all the way to the second shoe lace hole) than what the factory has made but not completely. The 3.3's tongue itself is very thin compared to Nadal's custom shoes. To compensate, I cut a slit on the side of the tongue and took some cotton pillow filler to fill it in. The slit is unnoticeable since it's on the inside of the shoe.

Compare the opening of the before and after shoes. The single tongue one has a bigger open hole, allowing more room to fit your foot in.

I hope this helps.

Email me if you have any questions. Put "Nike Courtballistec" in the subject line so I know you're not a random person outside of this forum.
johnvujohn @ g m a i l dot com

 

[ice04]

Nike Courtballistec

Hello. could you post the before and after pictures. or even the "after" pictures of the shoe? thanks

 

[BallistecMissile]

would love to see pics of this!

 

[johnvujohn]

The left shoe is before and the right shoe is after. I'll take some more pics to really show the difference.

 

[BallistecMissile]

The left shoe is before and the right shoe is after. I'll take some more pics to really show the difference.

Your pic does not show, please edit your post accordingly. ;P

 

[johnvujohn]

Sorry! Someone pointed to me that there is no picture. Try this link.

http://johnstennigear.blogspot.com/2011/09/cut-tongue-of-nike-courtballistec-33.html

 

[BallistecMissile]

Sorry! Someone pointed to me that there is no picture. Try this link.

http://johnstennigear.blogspot.com/2011/09/cut-tongue-of-nike-courtballistec-33.html

You sir are now heralded as a legend on TW. Pray tell do can you outline the proper process for going about this so that I may follow your epic example?

 

[johnvujohn]

Thanks! I already made a step by step breakdown picture of how I did it. It's pretty easy once you know exactly what to do. Hope this helps!

Here's a link to it. It's on my blog.

http://johnstennigear.blogspot.com/

 

[T21D]

wow! nice job. the unitongue/bootie never really bothered me though.

 

[anhuynh16]

Really cool, I should try this on mine

 

[BallistecMissile]

This was so easy, I did it in 5 minutes and now i feel like a complete and total utter bad@$$ everywhere i walk.

 

[roddick343]

Would Nike still give a voucher for the shoes if u make the tongue bigger? And does it affect the tightness of the laces at all?

 

[FedererBestTennis]

This is epic. Really great job. Instant legend.

 

[johnvujohn]

As long as your insoles are completely worn out, I would say it's possible for you to get a voucher even with an altered tongue. If it's just an altered tongue, however, I don't think you could get a voucher but hey, you could try.

 

[johnvujohn]

I tried cutting the Courtballistec 2.3s uni-tongue into a single tongue and I have to say it requires a lot more finesse and skill to sew the cuts neatly and uniformly. I'll post pictures soon.

 

[mathieu]

I tried cutting the Courtballistec 2.3s uni-tongue into a single tongue and I have to say it requires a lot more finesse and skill to sew the cuts neatly and uniformly. I'll post pictures soon.

While your at it post bigger pics of the first job.

 

[TennisKid1]

did you just use cotton balls for the filling???

 

[johnvujohn]

Alright kids, I uploaded both courtballitec 2.3 and 3.3 posts and resized the images.

Tenniskid1: I used pillow fillings. You can find it at any arts and craft store like Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

http://johnstennigear.blogspot.com/

 

[johnvujohn]

I tried the shoe on with just the cut strap and it's a little loose for me. The filled in single tongue keeps my foot loose and snugged in but not as tight as with the strap on. Everyone's foot is different.

 

[y12.pats]

GENIUS! i need to try this!

 

[THEDUKE]

How did you get your name on the back of the show if these were never offered on NIKEID?

 

[THAAS909]

yo man.. right on.. this works perfect. youre the man

 

[anhuynh16]

How did you get your name on the back of the show if these were never offered on NIKEID?

Something probably called custom customizing

 

[johnvujohn]

My uncle makes signs for a living and he printed me some custom vinyl stickers that I just used to put on my shoe. Very adhesive stickers he has I must say.

 

[raphMODE]

why cuting the uni-tongue ?
Is the "bootie" tongue wrong ???
–

 

[Rafa717]

just did this. The shoes feel and look 10000000000000% better.

 

[penguyen17]

Hey, is there any way you can take pictures with them on? Because it would seem like the new 'stuffed' tongue is not long enough to go up and over the rest of the shoe, if that makes any sense. I just want to know what the shoes look like when they are laced up. Does it look like Nadal's shoe when he laces them up?

 

[rafaisabeast]

I did the mod on my shoe and i did such a terrible job but i feels really comfy i suck at sewing and i think i cut to much but other than that its nice

the length of the tongue doesnt shoe like rafa's bc his tognue is designed to be a shoe with a tongue not like the retails with uni-tongue

 

[johnvujohn]

Whether you choose to alter the shoes or not is entirely up to you. This is a very subjective matter and there isn't a right or wrong answer. Every person's foot is different and I thought I would share what would make these shoes more comfortable for feet.

 

[K.I.T.T.]

So what is the difference between cutting the 2.3 and 3.3's? I have the 3.3. Besides cutting the tongue, do I have to do any sewing?

 

[frunk]

I just did this on my old 3.3's. not too much of a difference for me, and it's actually a stranger fit - I actually like the unitongue more.

 

[penguyen17]

Sorry to bring this thread up again, but the link doesn't work anymore. Is there anyways you can repost the link? Thanks

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

bump

does anyone have the pics that the OP posted. I just got a pair of CB and wanted to do some mods to it.

 

[zagalab]

I was wondering if anyone did this on the 2.3s?

 

[rafaelnadalfan1234]

if anyone has pics. i know a lot of people would love to see them

 

[johnvujohn]

Sorry about the pictures guys. Someone hacked into my blog which forced me to close the site down. If anyone wants to see the pictures, email me at johnvujohn @ g m a i l . c o m

Also, I started this thread only to share information about how this modification might help anyone who has a pair of any courtballistecs. I did NOT demand or want you to cut your shoes apart but only offered a possible alternative solution. Use this information at your own discretion.

If you're so worried about ruining your shoes, then obviously don't do it.

 

[ice04]

I've tried this in my 2.3. I kinda put too much cotton inside in this pic, now i've put out some. Here's the pic: