Federer ON Tennis Shoes Launching

CleaN

New User
Unboxed mine a few minutes ago. Photo

As far as fit goes, I wore Cage 4’s until I rolled my ankle and decided they were cursed so I chucked them. Replaced them with Fila Axilus 2 and I wear an ASO brace with them. All that to say my feet aren’t narrow but I do move around some in the Fila’s so use a second sock. So not narrow and not wide. The On‘s feel a little narrow to me and the part that touches the widest part of my left foot has a little pressure. I’d also say the arch is a little low, nothing that can’t be fixed with an insert. Not a wide ranging review but a couple points to get us started.
Oh no....
 

satchmo_d

Rookie
My feet have some pronation and it was more noticable with the Vapor X’s - same thing with these. They feel like a Vapor X with a little more cushion. My uneducated opinion.
 
tennis-us-open-flushing-meadows-new-york-city-united-states-of-america-31809-robert-federer-switzerlands-roger-federer-s-father-in-the-stands-mandatory-credit-action-images-jason-obrien-livepic-2EBXDD1.jpg
When your Dad’s Super Mario‘s cousin you’re gonna be good...
 
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Gemini

Hall of Fame
So..it was 10:30pm ET on July 9 and I still haven't received my pair yet. The UPS website still says "On The Way" which isn't an indication that they've even landed in my state yet. We'll see if they show up tomorrow.
 

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
So..it was 10:30pm ET on July 9 and I still haven't received my pair yet. The UPS website still says "On The Way" which isn't an indication that they've even landed in my state yet. We'll see if they show up tomorrow.
It will say out for delivery on the day they will arrive and you can actually see where they are on their journey to you with clicking view details and then clicking shipping progress
 
My feet have some pronation and it was more noticable with the Vapor X’s - same thing with these. They feel like a Vapor X with a little more cushion. My uneducated opinion.
Worst news one could have said.… same problem here…i hated vapor x due to the “inward tilt”. Loved asics speed ff 2 and court ff2 because had more cushioning and no inward tilt…
 

brian anderson

Semi-Pro
I'm so glad Rog the great benefactor is allowing us mere mortals to play with his shoes for approximately the cost of 2 other fully functional pairs of tennis shoes (3 pairs if you get them on sale). I'm sure the proceeds will go to something worthwhile, like a yacht or something.
pretty sure rafa does the yacht thing. fed does more in africa
 

Devil_dog

Hall of Fame
Mine came in today. I'm not kidding when I say this: these are a peRFect fit. I ordered 11.5 and I have flat arch and wider feet. The fit is true and the forefoot width is roomy for wide feet like mine. The padding is extremely comfortable but still feel well connected to the ground.

These look way better in person. I'm not 100% in love with the tongue tab - gets in the way, imho. And I thought it would be magnetic but instead it's a pop-on tab. But other than that, the materials are top notch (as I expected for this price point). Feels very familiar to my old Vapor 9/9.5. There's not a ton of over pronation like the Vapor X which I prefer this way. The closest I can compare to is the Asics FF2 NDs that I recently tried on.

I currently wear the Nike Vapor React NXTs and the Rogers feel more plush and lighter.

Enjoy the pics.

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Gemini

Hall of Fame
It will say out for delivery on the day they will arrive and you can actually see where they are on their journey to you with clicking view details and then clicking shipping progress

Yep. I'm familiar with how the UPS updates change when a delivery is transit. When it still said "On The Way" well after it should have delivered on July 9, I'm assuming that UPS must have mishandled the package and it's still rattling around somewhere in the UPS distribution network. The UPS tracking number now says "On The Way" with an ETA of July 12. If the package doesn't arrive on Monday, it's probably lost within the UPS network.
 
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Gemini

Hall of Fame
Also, the fact that it's being described as being like the Vapor X is not a positive for me. That shoe did not work for me at all.
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
Is that much of a surprise though considering that’s the shoe fed switched over from?

Yes. Because Fed's shoes are always custom so he was never wearing the retail Vapor X. I had no issue wearing the Vapor 9 and 9.5s and Federer was wearing those before the X (but of course he wasn't wearing retail 9 and 9.5s). A shoe that forces my ankles to roll inward to the same degree that the Xs did is not a good option for me.
 

MasterZeb

Hall of Fame
Yes. Because Fed's shoes are always custom so he was never wearing the retail Vapor X. I had no issue wearing the Vapor 9 and 9.5s and Federer was wearing those before the X (but of course he wasn't wearing retail 9 and 9.5s). A shoe that forces my ankles to roll inward to the same degree that the Xs did is not a good option for me.
Looking at the reviews so far I don’t think it’s anywhere near as extreme as the tilt on the Vapor x, if any. From the pictures it doesn’t seem like it has any but of course it’s quite difficult to tell for sure before we personally get our hands on it.
 

Devil_dog

Hall of Fame
Here's a few pics to compare the pronation of the heels between the Vapor 9.5, the Vapor X and the Rogers. The ON shoes compare more closely to the 9.5s, imho in the pronation. The forefoot is similar the Vapor X in how they flare out a little for better stability. The Rogers seem to have offer the best of both the 9.5 and the X.

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TopspintheTerrible

Hall of Fame
Best of the bunch for sure. I really adored the Bicompax 001 and HMS 001 lines. They originally made me fall in love with Baltic. I just didn’t have the funds. And by the time I did, I was a few weeks late and they were discontinued. Still for me they’re one of the best looking watches I’ve seen.

Def one of the best micobrands imo. Love the 39mm size too.
 

Devil_dog

Hall of Fame
I played about two hours in them today and loved them on my feet. They feel like a more comfortable Vapor 9/9.5 to me. Lately, I experienced foot pain after playing in Vapor Xs and switched over to the Vapor React NXTs which helped greatly. Very comfortable shoe. But the Rogers take that up a notch higher in my opinion. Even after the two hour session, my feet feel great with hardly any fatigue.

One observation, the tread pattern on the soles took some getting used to. They don't squeak on hard courts. It's more like a "swoosh" sound - no disrespect to Nike (haha). The grip was vague initially, too. Not that I ever felt like I was going to slide but I think the tread pattern needed a little break-in before I felt fully assured of my footing while running all around the court.

Bottom line: these are very good performance tennis shoes. And if you missed the Vapor 9s, then the Rogers are for you.
 

MasterZeb

Hall of Fame
Just got home eagerly to find mine awaiting me. First impressions were that my gosh these are well built. Great quality and I personally love how they look. Initial photos they looked cumbersome to me but they’ve defo grown on me. Anyway. So I’ve been reading around regarding fit and it seems to be a varied option so here’s my experience.

Current shoe of choice is the ASICS FF2 in size UK7. I have a pretty wide foot, part purely in the mid foot. Looked around and on shoes ran a little narrow so sized up half a size. Now have realised I ordered from the global site and it’s a US7.5 so UK7. Direct comparison are that’s these run a lot narrower and snug, width wise, but length too. I could probably do with a UK8 in these I reckon. Maybe needs breaking in idk. That’s just initial impressions. I won’t be hitting the court for probably a month more until my ankle heals up so will be a while until I can’t use these properly.
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
I played about two hours in them today and loved them on my feet. They feel like a more comfortable Vapor 9/9.5 to me. Lately, I experienced foot pain after playing in Vapor Xs and switched over to the Vapor React NXTs which helped greatly. Very comfortable shoe. But the Rogers take that up a notch higher in my opinion. Even after the two hour session, my feet feel great with hardly any fatigue.

One observation, the tread pattern on the soles took some getting used to. They don't squeak on hard courts. It's more like a "swoosh" sound - no disrespect to Nike (haha). The grip was vague initially, too. Not that I ever felt like I was going to slide but I think the tread pattern needed a little break-in before I felt fully assured of my footing while running all around the court.

Bottom line: these are very good performance tennis shoes. And if you missed the Vapor 9s, then the Rogers are for you.

So...I got mine yesterday and tried them on just now. My initial assessment is that I agree with you on the Vapor 9/9.5 comparison BUT it is a bulkier shoe. I measured one of my Vapor 9.5 US men's 9 and it weighed in at 13.25 oz. The Roger Pro weighed (US men size 9) weighed in at 13.75 oz. The Roger Pro is a half ounce heavier. To be honest, the first impression is that the Roger Pro is a bit of throwback. It is less sculpted and less stylized than the majority of tennis shoes out today. Just based on the upper design, it's probably too nice and too fragile a shoe for me to play in.

For those old enough to remember to the show Bewitched, I think the Roger Pro is Serena while the Roger Center Court is Samantha.
 
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volleynets

Hall of Fame
Got mine and they are the widest shoes I have worn as I only use Nikes for years. It feels really good for the feet!!

I had to buy them after trying on the Vapor pro and having my toes be crushed from left and right sides of the each shoe. These seem to have a normal foot shaped toebox. Not sure what in the world Nike is doing. These are so comfortable that I'm not sure how it'll feel on court. Most other tennis shoes have so much rubber and plastic on the upper that it feels strange at first to wear something so soft for tennis. The really thick padded tongue and cushioning around the heel are really really great.
 

curtstead

Professional
He and I seem to mostly agree. At least on the things I mentioned. Mine will probably never see a tennis court.
I will get another pair in September when they launch it. Will keep one that will never get played in like yours, and maybe another to play in. Feels weird to not get it on court at least once, you know?
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
I will get another pair in September when they launch it. Will keep one that will never get played in like yours, and maybe another to play in. Feels weird to not get it on court at least once, you know?

Agreed but I'm going to need the price point to come down before I pick up another pair to actually play in..LOL! Also, they're going to have to come up with something other than a majority white upper. I think Fed has only played three different colorways and they've all been WHITE.
 

curtstead

Professional
Agreed but I'm going to need the price point to come down before I pick up another pair to actually play in..LOL! Also, they're going to have to come up with something other than a majority white upper. I think Fed has only played three different colorways and they've all been WHITE.
Assuming his knee will be okay, would like to think they’ll have a different colorway for the summer hard court swing? I could see white for Cincinnati again since that tournament is always hot as hell, but do something different for the US Open.

Come to think of it, he’s worn mostly white shoes the entire time since the 2019 ATP Finals. His AO 2020 Nike Vapor X’s were white, and even most of 2019 were mostly white. Switch it up, Fed!

Gotta think some sort of blue, black, or red is coming soon.
 

volleynets

Hall of Fame
Assuming his knee will be okay, would like to think they’ll have a different colorway for the summer hard court swing? I could see white for Cincinnati again since that tournament is always hot as hell, but do something different for the US Open.

Come to think of it, he’s worn mostly white shoes the entire time since the 2019 ATP Finals. His AO 2020 Nike Vapor X’s were white, and even most of 2019 were mostly white. Switch it up, Fed!

Gotta think some sort of blue, black, or red is coming soon.

Back in 2006 Federer refused to switch to Zoom Vapor 3 and he literally played with the 2005 Vapor Speed (vapor 2) in all white the entire year. There's an old picture of him with 16 pairs or so in a hotel room.

I think he likes the classy/boring all white look as even his On casual shoes are usually all white with a tiny highlight of another color so having like 5 color ways seems like a waste.
 

volleynets

Hall of Fame
I played about two hours in them today and loved them on my feet. They feel like a more comfortable Vapor 9/9.5 to me. Lately, I experienced foot pain after playing in Vapor Xs and switched over to the Vapor React NXTs which helped greatly. Very comfortable shoe. But the Rogers take that up a notch higher in my opinion. Even after the two hour session, my feet feel great with hardly any fatigue.

One observation, the tread pattern on the soles took some getting used to. They don't squeak on hard courts. It's more like a "swoosh" sound - no disrespect to Nike (haha). The grip was vague initially, too. Not that I ever felt like I was going to slide but I think the tread pattern needed a little break-in before I felt fully assured of my footing while running all around the court.

Bottom line: these are very good performance tennis shoes. And if you missed the Vapor 9s, then the Rogers are for you.
Will they even last for 10% time of the already non durable vapors?
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
Assuming his knee will be okay, would like to think they’ll have a different colorway for the summer hard court swing? I could see white for Cincinnati again since that tournament is always hot as hell, but do something different for the US Open.

Come to think of it, he’s worn mostly white shoes the entire time since the 2019 ATP Finals. His AO 2020 Nike Vapor X’s were white, and even most of 2019 were mostly white. Switch it up, Fed!

Gotta think some sort of blue, black, or red is coming soon.

I would definitely appreciate these more and consider buying at least one more pair at the current price if another color were available immediately. They would still be walking around shoes though...Ha!

On a side note, I wonder how spectators will have these on at pro events this year. I'm a sneakerhead by nature so having these is more about my love shoes rather than being a pure Fedophile.
 
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brinkeguthrie

Hall of Fame
I would love to try on a pair; do I even want to dream about these since my size is 11 4E in NB? I don't even have a shot in sizing, do I.
 

volleynets

Hall of Fame
I would definitely appreciate these more and consider buying at least one more pair at the current price if another color were available immediately. They would still be walking around shoes though...Ha!

On a side note, I wonder how spectators will have these on at pro events this year. I'm a sneakerhead by nature so having these is more about my love shoes rather than being a pure Fedophile.
I don't know how many since there's barely any volume out unless the September launch is huge.
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
I don't know how many since there's barely any volume out unless the September launch is huge.

I was specifically thinking about the spectators who would have jumped on this early release event like some of us here on TTW did. I'm sure someone will be wearing a pair. I'm planning to be at the US Open this year so I'll keep my eyes open..LOL!
 

volleynets

Hall of Fame
Are they comparable to NB? I gotta find these in a store to try on. No way can I risk it with my paddle boat feet.
Unfortunately I can't help since I have not tried NB tennis shoes. What I can say is they feel wider than vapor X to me.

I was specifically thinking about the spectators who would have jumped on this early release event like some of us here on TTW did. I'm sure someone will be wearing a pair. I'm planning to be at the US Open this year so I'll keep my eyes open..LOL!

I might be there as well!!! May have to wear these if there's going to be a crew. Otherwise it'll be some vapor X or On Clouds.
 
Man I took these out for a few hours. I didn't think they'd draw attention because they're not really known...or so I thought...but I had people coming from other courts asking about them (which tbh seemed silly), but just goes to show how desperate people are for a GOOD tennis shoe nowadays, but I digress.
The looks are polarizing; my wife and kids think they look like "old man shoes," but I really dig them. I'm also horribly biased and blinded to anything RF, so there's that.
That said, the one thing I noticed about them that I enjoyed the most? Nothing.......in the best way possible. Since the Zoom Vapor 9, this is the first pair I've had (out of prob 20+) that were immediately just right, to the point I wasn't thinking about how "these would be perfect if this one thing was better." They're just awesome. Grip was good. Stability was rock solid (the little widened lip I believe really made a difference here), comfortable both in the toe (no stiff Asics-plastic feel) and in the heel. They're not super plush like the NB LAV, but more comparable to the first gen zoom vapor 9 with the quality insoles. The fit feels similar to the zoom vapor 9, but the toe box is significantly wider. ON wouldn't put something out that wasn't quality, I don't believe, and initial run with these seems like that holds true.

My only concern is the durability. I don't know why, but I have a feeling the toe and the sole will be quick to wear. I hope I'm wrong. The price is steep, but you get what you pay for, I reckon.
 
Tried them too for a singles 5.0 match. Not so plush in terms of cushioning vs mybprefered asics speed ff2. However aftet 1.5 hours u did not feel any pain nor hurt anywhere which means they had cushioning. I dont have wide feet but i could wear them perfectly and the more i wore them the more “fit for my foot” i felt. The wider area at the forefoot made the way you have to play different. Move always at the ball of your foot and it is great. Try stepping with the entire foot and feels ackward. Has a slight inward tilt or at least i feel it does - it may very well be the wider lip at the forefoot. This lip is in the outside. Great for stopping in lateral movements due to this lip. In all a much much improved and better vapor X.
 

MasterZeb

Hall of Fame
My decision to use these for match play will come down to durability for sure. Hopefully they’re at least as good as the 9.5s
 
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