finally.. no heel slippage. i tried many. the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4 won

danbrenner

danbrenner

Legend
so over the past month i tried.
1. asics novac .. the upper material was too stiff for me. and when moving aggresively i could feel the material folding in on itslef on the upper toe area.. was super annoying. couldnt forget it any time they were on .
i had to get rid of em.
2. then tried the asics gel res 8. i had high hopes for these . Super comfy. feels like a soft running shoe. but the heel slippage .. damn the heel slippage. and to be honest.. didnt give that feel of support .. so you guessed it.
i had to get rid of em.
3. tried a NB. 996 v 3. great deal. but the fit was all wrong for me. felt like a brick. so you guessed it ..
i had to get rid of em.
4. yonex eclipsion 3. i had high hopes for these. cause i loved the first version from 4 years ago. loved. but ironically some heel slippage.. these probably would have worked in size 12.5. a half size smaller than my reg 13.
but they dont make them.,. so you guessed it
i had to get rid of em
5. nike air zoom vapor cage 4. from the first slip on to my feet. fit like a glove. encapsulates my entire foot perfectly. not one iota of heel slippage. comfort is excellent.
stability off the charts. my freinds this is the perfect shoe. and they fit me perfectly in my reg size 13. so if you have any quams about sizing.. just order two pairs.. and return one.
i cant tell you guys how happy i am with this shoe. it fits like a ski boot. i mean that in a good way. it just molded perfectly to my foot.. absolutely no heel slippage even from the first lace up.
thnaks tw. and nike. 5 stars.
 
just to cover what an obvious question might be.
so im saying many of the shoes had heel slippage. yes. they were all the right length except maybe the yonex. only the yonex do i think i could have gotten a half size smaller.
i could not have ordered a half size smaller in the gel res 8.. it was the perfect size for me. the length was snug. just right.
 
Can you rate the toe box width of these shoes you tried? Which was the widest, which was the narrowest? Thanks.
 
That’s a good question
From memory I think the new balance was the narrowest. Amd or the smallest fitting overall.
Then maybe the Novak. And gel res
Then Yonex. And mike are about the same. Medium.
 
Just for fun, have you tried the Vapor X and the Zoom Zero? Thank you.

Edit: also how was the weight of the Cage 4?
 
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Tennis sprew said:
Just for fun, have you tried the Vapor X and the Zoom Zero? Thank you.

Edit: also how was the weight of the Cage 4?
Click to expand...
i have not tried the zooms. i have worn vapors since their inception.
ironically i loved the first edition the best. they were comfy and the soles albeit didnt last as long as other shoes. but the soles were very flexible and fit the lightweight construction of the shoe.
i loved them all the way up to the latter x iterations. in which imo they ruined the shoe. the sole now feels too stiff .. like it doesnt fit the super soft and light weight uppers at all.
they just feel odd now.
 
J011yroger said:
What shape foot do you have, and how high are your arches?

J
Click to expand...
human shape. and normal height.

no.. jk.. i have medium width feet.. my arches are somewhere in between med and low. i can roll either way with arches. as long as they arent over med. i dont like a pronounced arch.. makes me conscious of my feet while playing. adidas usually dont work for me .. as the arch is usually placed a little too forward for my liking. ..
 
Tennis sprew said:
Just for fun, have you tried the Vapor X and the Zoom Zero? Thank you.

Edit: also how was the weight of the Cage 4?
Click to expand...
i know alot of people complained about the 15.6oz of this shoe.
but im so stoked about the glove like fit.. and secure fit of this shoe, that the weight doesnt enter my mind at all.
let me tell you. heel slippage has been an issue for me with many of the top of the line shoes..
there is no heel slippage in these. and the construction is rock solid. so weight isnt a factor for me
 
again.. when ordering this shoe. just do yourself a favor.. and order two pair. one in your normal size.. and one half size smaller
that is the main issue people were having. many said they needed a half size smaller. i have a full 13.. so for me its perfect.
 
danbrenner said:
i have not tried the zooms. i have worn vapors since their inception.
ironically i loved the first edition the best. they were comfy and the soles albeit didnt last as long as other shoes. but the soles were very flexible and fit the lightweight construction of the shoe.
i loved them all the way up to the latter x iterations. in which imo they ruined the shoe. the sole now feels too stiff .. like it doesnt fit the super soft and light weight uppers at all.
they just feel odd now.
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I agree wholeheartedly. I have a pair of original release Vapor X and they are way better than the newer releases. I don’t know why, the 2017-2018 ones feel much higher quality.
 
danbrenner said:
again.. when ordering this shoe. just do yourself a favor.. and order two pair. one in your normal size.. and one half size smaller
that is the main issue people were having. many said they needed a half size smaller. i have a full 13.. so for me its perfect.
Click to expand...

Oh man this is a timely thread for me. Sales are good right now and I really want these. But don't know what size to order.

I played in Size 7s for a long time with Vapor 9.5, but my favorite shoes were my Cage 2 and I had too much room even in my Size 6.5s.

Now I have a pair of clay Vapor 9.5 in Size 6.5, my Cages and hardcourt Vapors are all trashed.

Should I order a 6 or a 6.5 in the Cage 4?
 
Rosstour said:
Oh man this is a timely thread for me. Sales are good right now and I really want these. But don't know what size to order.

I played in Size 7s for a long time with Vapor 9.5, but my favorite shoes were my Cage 2 and I had too much room even in my Size 6.5s.

Now I have a pair of clay Vapor 9.5 in Size 6.5, my Cages and hardcourt Vapors are all trashed.

Should I order a 6 or a 6.5 in the Cage 4?
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if you can only order one then my guess would be 6.5
but then i would ask you .. why cant you order two pair?
 
danbrenner said:
if you can only order one then my guess would be 6.5
but then i would ask you .. why cant you order two pair?
Click to expand...

That's a lot of coin, and I have a bad habit of not returning things on time.

I'm also considering the Cage 3 as TW has a pair for like $65. Know anything about those?
 
Rosstour said:
That's a lot of coin, and I have a bad habit of not returning things on time.

I'm also considering the Cage 3 as TW has a pair for like $65. Know anything about those?
Click to expand...
I wear the cage 3 as my 2nd favorite shoe I have right now. Is there anything you want to know about the shoe?
 
Tennis sprew said:
I wear the cage 3 as my 2nd favorite shoe I have right now. Is there anything you want to know about the shoe?
Click to expand...

Yes, everything, particularly the sizing.

I can fit into a 6 in the Cage 2s. 6.5 in Vapors. Do I need a 6...6.5...or 7 in the Cage 3s?

I have read that they are universally an improvement over the Cage 2s. Can you confirm that?

I'm looking to move on from my Vapor 9.5s and Cage 2s...I just want to have one pair, instead of rotating between 5-6 pairs like I have been doing.

Torn between the Air Zoom Zero and the Cage 3.
 
Rosstour said:
Yes, everything, particularly the sizing.

I can fit into a 6 in the Cage 2s. 6.5 in Vapors. Do I need a 6...6.5...or 7 in the Cage 3s?

I have read that they are universally an improvement over the Cage 2s. Can you confirm that?

I'm looking to move on from my Vapor 9.5s and Cage 2s...I just want to have one pair, instead of rotating between 5-6 pairs like I have been doing.
Click to expand...
The cage 3’s fit a little large once they break in. They are also snug, however I am a wide foot and they conformed to my foot well. I wear a 10-10.5 in Vapors, and I wear a 10.5 to 11. Another thing is that the Cage 3’s bleed onto your socks. They are an improvement over the 2’s, with pretty much everything. The traction is decent, I don’t slide out, and it is good. The cushioning is nice. Another thing that is better than the 2 is the durability, however they both have a six month outsole warranty. One thing I don’t like about the 3 is the upper durability. I drag my toes and I get holes after a few months. I love the air zoom bag, especially in hot conditions because it compresses so well, the foam is amazing.

Edit: I’m not a fit expert, however the shoes fit snug and they do stretch out, especially in the toe box after I break them in. Also a bubble forms at the end of the laces after a while of unlacing and tightening the laces very tight.
 
danbrenner said:
just to cover what an obvious question might be.
so im saying many of the shoes had heel slippage. yes. they were all the right length except maybe the yonex. only the yonex do i think i could have gotten a half size smaller.
i could not have ordered a half size smaller in the gel res 8.. it was the perfect size for me. the length was snug. just right.
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IMO you're spot on with the Yonex sizing comment, at least as far as Eclipsion 1s and 2s go, yet to try 3s. I've been wearing Nikes - Cage 3s were a possible exception; I only tried them on in store but they were tight out of the box at least - in a US 10.5 and Yonexes in a US 10 for years.
 
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jmacdaununder2 said:
IMO you're spot on with the Yonex sizing comment, at least as far as Eclipsion 1s and 2s go, yet to try 3s. I've been wearing Nikes - Cage 3s were a possible exception; I only tried them on in store but they were tight out of the box at least - in a US 10.5 and Yonexes in a US 10 for years.
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i agree. i ordered the cage 3 last year. in my usual size 13.. and they were short.
so i nixed that idea. .thats why i was asking about the 4's very early on.
the yonex eclip 3's may be a great shoe in its right size..
but either way the Yonex doesnt have the ski boot locked in feel of the cage 4.
the cage 4 is the first shoe in many moons in which i have felt that kind of encapsulation.
 
@danbrenner are your sure you tried the Gel Res 8 and not the 7's? Cause I also had heel slippage with the 7 but not with the 8. I use the last eyelets as usual cause I have orthotics and often have heel slippage issues with the shoes but if I cinch well my laces I don't have heel slippage in the 8 compared to the Res 7.

With the Power Cushion Eclipsion did you tried the last one also: the new one, the PC Eclipsion 3? Cause I'm interested in this shoe and want to know how they compare to the Gel Res 8, specially regarding the width and the heel part if it's well locked cause I had heel slippage issues with the PC Eclipsion 2. The PCE2 felt quite narrow in the toe box but large in the heel part and didn't feel locked. And what you think about the PCE3, your overall impression of this shoe please?
 
PierreMBK said:
@danbrenner are your sure you tried the Gel Res 8 and not the 7's? Cause I also had heel slippage with the 7 but not with the 8. I use the last eyelets as usual cause I have orthotics and often have heel slippage issues with the shoes but if I cinch well my laces I don't have heel slippage in the 8 compared to the Res 7.

With the Power Cushion Eclipsion did you tried the last one also: the new one, the PC Eclipsion 3? Cause I'm interested in this shoe and want to know how they compare to the Gel Res 8, specially regarding the width and the heel part if it's well locked cause I had heel slippage issues with the PC Eclipsion 2. The PCE2 felt quite narrow in the toe box but large in the heel part and didn't feel locked. And what you think about the PCE3, your overall impression of this shoe please?
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im sure. the gel res 8 was sa huuug disappointment for me. i dont like cinching up laces to the very top holes. it ends up ever so slightly cutting off circulation. not my idea of how a shoe should fit.
in fact no one should have to cinch up that last hole. if you do.. you have the wrong shoe.
no. i had the eclip 1. not 2. i think the yonex eclip is way better than the res 8. . the yonex are what the res 8 should be. super comfy.. very soft sole. etc etc. not enough players have give the eclip a fair try.
the eclip 3 is soft, comfy, bouncy.. everything you want from a super comfy shoe. but again.. i had heel slippage. i dont know for sure if that would have been fixed going down in size. i just assume it prob would.
so thats why the cage 4 are by far and away the best of the bunch for me. the fit like a ski boot. with comfort. so for me it was game over.
 
danbrenner said:
im sure. the gel res 8 was sa huuug disappointment for me. i dont like cinching up laces to the very top holes. it ends up ever so slightly cutting off circulation. not my idea of how a shoe should fit.
in fact no one should have to cinch up that last hole. if you do.. you have the wrong shoe.
no. i had the eclip 1. not 2. i think the yonex eclip is way better than the res 8. . the yonex are what the res 8 should be. super comfy.. very soft sole. etc etc. not enough players have give the eclip a fair try.
the eclip 3 is soft, comfy, bouncy.. everything you want from a super comfy shoe. but again.. i had heel slippage. i dont know for sure if that would have been fixed going down in size. i just assume it prob would.
so thats why the cage 4 are by far and away the best of the bunch for me. the fit like a ski boot. with comfort. so for me it was game over.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback I appreciate! :-)

Yeah I use the last eyelets cause I use orthotics and my heel is a bit raised compare to the stock insoles. That's why it's better for me to cinch better the laces with the last eyelets to prevent heel slippage. But for example the Wilson Rush Pro 3.0 doesn't have the last eyelets and I'm ok, well locked with the heel. The NB Fresh Foam Lav was good also in this regard.

Did you have the opportunity to playtest the Vapor 4 already?

I had doubts about stability and support in the heel part. They look quite heavy also and maybe a bit stiff, but I never tried them yet. What is your experience?
 
PierreMBK said:
Thanks for the feedback I appreciate! :)

Yeah I use the last eyelets cause I use orthotics and my heel is a bit raised compare to the stock insoles. That's why it's better for me to cinch better the laces with the last eyelets to prevent heel slippage. But for example the Wilson Rush Pro 3.0 doesn't have the last eyelets and I'm ok, well locked with the heel. The NB Fresh Foam Lav was good also in this regard.

Did you have the opportunity to playtest the Vapor 4 already?

I had doubts about stability and support in the heel part. They look quite heavy also and maybe a bit stiff, but I never tried them yet. What is your experience?
Click to expand...
Yes. i have played with them..
feels like the perfect shoe. i feel totally locked in from heel to toe.
stability is off the charts. and the soles arent overly grippy like some are.
the soles have a little give. so if you are an aggressive mover, you can get that little bit of give on a hard court which is great.
im 6'1 195.. so when i get moving i need to feel locked in and laterally secure. these vapor 4 are boss in this dept.
 
jmacdaununder2 said:
I agree that PCE2 has a heel slippage issue; however, I've found that using the top eyelets for a heel lock/racer's loop virtually eliminates this issue - YMMV.
Click to expand...
I GOT IT. THE ECLIPTION 2..
so yeah i hear you. but imo when those eyelets are needed its not the perfect fit.. meaning we are compensating when resorting to those eyelets. and for me the shoes arent as comfy when using those. so i try to avoid needing that. im picky about that. too much pressure at the top of the shoe which is noticeable during play.
 
Has anybody had issues where the shoe stretches out and support worsens/ having to tie tighter? Had problems like this with the cage 3.
 
Tennis sprew said:
Has anybody had issues where the shoe stretches out and support worsens/ having to tie tighter? Had problems like this with the cage 3.
Click to expand...

I often find this is an issue with bootie style shoes with a knit upper that is not fortified by any solid panels. I had some NB Lavs for a while and they were terrible for this. It's also a little bit of an issue with the ubersonic 3's, but with those shoes the lacing system allows you to really cinch the upper.
 
danbrenner said:
Every shoe ha a little of that. But these hold up really well
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My vapors have been the best for me, I have a pair from 2017, haven’t stretches out like my cage 3’s, really annoying with my cages.
 
Hi, I'm buying one VC4 but would like to know what size is better, since ZC3 in my regular size 10 was too small I purchase 10.5 is perfect, in Vapor Knit I use size 10, in vapor x 9.5 and if is usefull I used the CB in 10. Si should I get 10 or 10.5 like the ZC.
Nike sizing is crazy this days
 
RNBABOLAT said:
Hi, I'm buying one VC4 but would like to know what size is better, since ZC3 in my regular size 10 was too small I purchase 10.5 is perfect, in Vapor Knit I use size 10, in vapor x 9.5 and if is usefull I used the CB in 10. Si should I get 10 or 10.5 like the ZC.
Nike sizing is crazy this days
Click to expand...
For me, 10.5 gives me a very good fit. I tried 10.5 in cage 3, and that is slightly tight at first but of course stretches. I tried the 4 and it felt tighter than the vapor of course, but I still felt comfortable, felt much more 1 to 1 for my foot.
 
I’ve been using these for a month now. Love the glove like fit. Long time Vapor 9.5 user. So lifting these, yes an obvious weight difference. But when on your feet, not noticeable. Excellent cushioning, very comfortable. The soles seem like they will last forever. I use orthotics as well.

I am no longer playing competitive tennis as of this year, so my shoe needs have changed from a lightweight match shoe to a nicely padded, comfort support oriented shoe.

I just ordered two more.
 
Vanhalen said:
I’ve been using these for a month now. Love the glove like fit. Long time Vapor 9.5 user. So lifting these, yes an obvious weight difference. But when on your feet, not noticeable. Excellent cushioning, very comfortable. The soles seem like they will last forever. I use orthotics as well.

I am no longer playing competitive tennis as of this year, so my shoe needs have changed from a lightweight match shoe to a nicely padded, comfort support oriented shoe.

I just ordered two more.
Click to expand...
Favorite colorway as of now?
 
I just wanted to revisit this thread as it was posted so long ago. These shoes are among the very best tennis shoes I have ever bought. I have used them all summer and not once did I think about my shoes while I was playing and I have been locked in like a ski boot the whole way through. And at the time that I posted this not so many of the pros were actually using this shoe. But now so many of the pros are so they agree with us. Great job Nike and for all of my TT brothers seeing this thread I encourage you all to grab a pair of these maybe just try them a half a size smaller than your usual size and if that’s too snug then just get your regular size. But again I want to reiterate how great the show is
 
I ordered a pair yesterday on discount. Went for my regular size rather than size down as I realised I’m also in a regular size for the lunar ballistics which supposedly fit longer. Hopefully no dramas.
 
Regular size worked perfect for me. I use insoles. Very comfortable. Feet and legs feel great after 2 hours on courts. Soles seem to not wear down at all.
 
d-quik said:
this means the upper was too stiff just like the novaks right?
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sorry for the late reply. im just seeing this.
i dont remember .. i just remember the fit was all wrong. could be the way the shoe is shaped. i dont remeber the exact reason.
i jjust remember hating them.
 
and i would buy this shoe again in a heart beat. really locks my feet in. no slippage. and mine have worn through the tread. but still have another season left in them.
again. i think these are the best tennis shoes i have ever bought.
i cant believe some of the reviews on the main TW site. some complain about the lacing system. yes the lace holes are not the orthodoxy.
but they just strangely work amazingly well. 9/10 top notch.
i would just recommend that you make sure to try 1/2 size smaller then normal. cause many people mentioned. that
i used my normal size and they were perfect.
 
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