sftennisfan
New User
The Nike cross trainer that McEnroe wore as his competition shoe - did he have Nike make more of a "tennis sole" for it or did he even just keep the original Air Trainer sole?
John McEnroe Nike Air Trainer
- Thread starter sftennisfan
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big ted
Legend
same sole from what i remember (as agassi and wilander wore those shoes too)
https://thenperiod.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/55793286.jpg
https://thenperiod.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/55793286.jpg
sftennisfan
New User
That's right - forgot Agassi and Wilander wore them too. THey were an awesome looking shoe. The sole doesn't seem ideal for hard courts but maybe the sole worked.
big ted
Legend
yes those were the days before equipment got so "specific" for conditions..
they may have had a different sole for grass courts tho..
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/6d/bc/e1/6dbce1a7b9446e4b7ae25c0be02bb2d8.jpg
http://c8.alamy.com/comp/KGRA5B/and...a-backhand-during-the-1988-us-open-KGRA5B.jpg
http://h-equestrianpassion.com/en/andre-agassi-well-played/files/878
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vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Nike made a herringbone tread for use on the clay courts for McEnroe and all the pros that wore that shoe
sftennisfan
New User
Those different sole options were not made available to the general public I'm pretty sure. So I'm curious whether that affected adoption by the average tennis player. I wasn't playing as much during the period Mac, Wilander and Agassi were wearing the shoe (89-91?) so not sure how much you saw it out with the general public.
I agree, it was probably made in pro room for top contracted players. Is it possible to get now these shoes?
They did a big release in 2004, the updated trainer 1 was awesome and super comfy. They changed it a bit and released as a true court shoe sold by TW and others (you can tell difference between th 04 and later models by the sole. The 04 had a translucent sole, court model had regular duralast sole). There was a pack of 4 shoes that celebrated the original trainer.
This tread has a breakdown of the pack and photos of the designs, all four shoes, matching clothing items.
https://niketalk.com/threads/who-bought-the-air-restoration-pack.256396/
I still have my 04 with clear soles and they are one of the best shoes I’ve owned. But after 14 years the upper is still perfect but the sole is separating from the upper, it incredibly sad. Best part was I found them on the clearance rack at a Finish Line 6 months after the pack's release for $60.
This tread has a breakdown of the pack and photos of the designs, all four shoes, matching clothing items.
https://niketalk.com/threads/who-bought-the-air-restoration-pack.256396/
I still have my 04 with clear soles and they are one of the best shoes I’ve owned. But after 14 years the upper is still perfect but the sole is separating from the upper, it incredibly sad. Best part was I found them on the clearance rack at a Finish Line 6 months after the pack's release for $60.
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May 2004 Restoration Pack, it looks pretty good for 14yrs, this model had some neat little details the later tennis specific model did not: blueprint insole, morse code around the heel (i think it said "zoom air"?). I can't wear them much anymore as they are coming apart, but I don't want to throw them away yet.
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Seth
Legend
I would love to get hold of these ones.
My size (12) popped up on the Bay a couple years ago but they were beat to hell.
sftennisfan
New User
There's no way to buy the tennis sole ones anymore is there?
michael valek
Hall of Fame
still the coolest shoes of all time, the original ones i mean. if they made the same shoes out of slightly tougher material, and with a clay sole, I'd wear them exclusively..
brinkeguthrie
Hall of Fame
Along with the Air Zoom Pounce and a pair of canvas Diadoras, my all time favorite shoe, had multiple pairs of these guys But yeah, Shoe Goo City for these.
Rhino
Legend
My size (12) popped up on the Bay a couple years ago but they were beat to hell.
Unbelievably, after I posted that picture I looked on the 'Bay and there was actually a pair available. They arrive Monday.
Rhino
Legend
brinkeguthrie
Hall of Fame
man you got the new Feds, too. wow.
Al Czervik
Hall of Fame
Nike did the Air Zoom Tennis Trainer thing for a few years. I think it was in the 2008-2012 range. They were good shoes. Maybe not the best for a really tough pounding, but decent overall.
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Would love to see these come back as well a modern take on the Air Tech Challenge. A guy can dream, right?Nike did the Air Zoom Tennis Trainer thing for a few years. I think it was in the 2008-2012 range. They were good shoes. Maybe not the best for a really tough pounding, but decent overall.
Seth
Legend
I’ve been wishing for a Flyknit Air Tech Challenge. I don’t care which number.
Seth
Legend
I have ATC 2, 3, and 4 and I wear 12 in all of them. The ATC3 does run a tad long.
The grass court shoes had nubbies on bottom. I saw Laver play at Forest Hills once with spikes on wet court, was killing the grass
They do every so often
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