Nike Court Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2021
- Thread starter TagUrIt
- Start date
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Very Nike. The best looking colorway I may say
volleynets
Hall of Fame
I think it's because the AO color never came out with the orange but they're pretending like it did.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Nike is very strange these days
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Very. I can’t wrap my head around why they wouldn’t just have the players in the actual color ways.
StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
I agree with Doc Zach. These play way better than the vapor X. Some major differences to me are the inward tilt isnt as noticeable on the new Vapor Pro. The Vapor X locks the heel in better with that lacing system. I had to do runners loop on these new ones. But on the court, the performance is way better with the vapor pro. its less clunky feeling. can stop and start on a dime. Really enjoying them.
I have to say I am really surprised at the comments here. I think these are fugly, compared to the previous vapor versions. Like we're now going back to the pre-vapor days. One of the main selling points of the Vapors is their design, and now it's gone.
It's like Federer had license on the design and didn't allow Nike to use it.
It's like Federer had license on the design and didn't allow Nike to use it.
pointbreak
Rookie
for me it was perfection, loved the new lacing, design and cooler shoe compared to the x, never loved the X, all the team mates loved the look
LiamMiguel
Semi-Pro
How would you guys rank this compared to other vapors like X or 9 or 9.5?
pointbreak
Rookie
This is the best one for me with 9.5 up there, I don't mind durability issues if they would appear , this was super light and fast and sat like a glove, hated the lacing on the X but this was perfect! Will get another pair in Wimbledon colour
This is a shame. I think the X has perfect heel/ankle fit. Tongue stays right in the middle, no pain, no heel-lift whatsoever. Even though the X is very low-profile/minimal design, if you look at it closely it actually comes relatively high up the foot and ankle. You really feel like you are locked-down securely deep in the shoe, rather than standing up on top of it.
I actually think the lacing is good too. It starts off feeling weird but once the X breaks in it's fine.
I think I'm going to try the new Vapor Lite Hard Court shoes 'cause the tongue looks like that on the X.
StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
I agree. No other shoe has that lacing design that the vapor X had. As a retail salesman, that was a huge selling point of that shoe. Will be interested to see if the majority of the people who liked the vapor X continue with the vapor pro or if they go with something else. I, myself, am loving the vapor pro but desperately needed the runners loop...
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
is the cushhioning improved ? or same as Vapor X ?
AndyBarronMuzza
Rookie
These are definitely an improvement over the X's. No break in required and lighter.
Just tried my vapor pros last night. Inferior to the vapor 9.5 for me. A bit wider in the forefoot, less customizable fit, and not as low to the ground or speedy feeling. They are impressively light and a bit more cushioned than a vapor 9.5 though. But they don’t feel as fast. I can’t customize the fit in the forefoot. There is an outer arch that bothers me, same as the vapor x knit. They are less stable than the vapor x knit, and basically feel like a lighter vapor x knit. The laces are comically short. I can’t believe Nike released the shoe this way. They are almost impossible to tie. I’m combing **** for 9.5 or air zoom prestige.
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I liked the fit of the Vapor 9.5. however, they wore out too quickly. I'm an aggressive mover that slides on hard courts. Normally I get shoes with 6-month durability guarantees because I go through both pairs in 6 months. What are the thoughts about this new vapor pro and durability?
the_faceless_player
Hall of Fame
Going to be the same bc its essentially the same outsole as the X. Not going to last long.
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
I like this shoe for the summer, but this is one of the main reasons I WON’T buy this shoe. I burn through shoes too quickly and Im not even a slider or toe dragger. At $120 a pop I’ll just stick with the Cage 4’s.
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StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
Yes they run long. They run length wise similar to Vapor Cage 4. I'm usually a 10 in most everything but the 9.5 felt the best. Really enjoying these. It's not my match day shoe yet but its moving up the ranks.
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Do these have high arches like the Vapor X? How's the durability?
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Tried these on locally man they feel good, way better than vapor X. More cushion and a nice glove like fit. Debating whether to return my gel res 8 and get these. Just wondering about durability as I usually get 2 pairs of gel res 8 due to the warranty
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
No, completely different shoes. lighter more supported upper resulting in lighter shoes that gives you more support. I heard cushioning is same air zoom stuff that Vapor X had
StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
Alright. verdict is in. This has topped the Gel Res 8 as my match day shoe. Had a big win today and movement was the key. So lightweight and stable at the same time. Always wanted to like Vapors because of the look and colorways and now I can! Just go a half size down and runners loop it to avoid heel slippage.
Vanhalen
Professional
You mean took everything that was bad about the Vapor X!
To each their own but I feel like there wasn't much to like about the VX. But that's just me. Loved the 9. Liked the 9.5. Really like like like the Pro
I just put on mime yesterday with my wide foot. I managed to put it in. It can be expanded though it’s pretty painful.I would say this shoe can be saved as the last option.
the shoe feels quick and it feels more like a 9.5 instead of x. I think it has to do with the light and cheap top. The cushioning feel harder than x.
the shoe tongue is thin and not very comfortabl. Over all this is a step backward from vapor x.
the heel is not well wrapped and pretty loose when lift knee up.
the size runs long because the toe area is sharper like dress shoe. The extra space is for cosmetic only.
the shoe feels quick and it feels more like a 9.5 instead of x. I think it has to do with the light and cheap top. The cushioning feel harder than x.
the shoe tongue is thin and not very comfortabl. Over all this is a step backward from vapor x.
the heel is not well wrapped and pretty loose when lift knee up.
the size runs long because the toe area is sharper like dress shoe. The extra space is for cosmetic only.
StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
I did have some issues with heel slippage but i usually do because of narrow heel. I did runners loop and that solved it. As i wear it more, i will say that cushioning was probably better with the Vapor X. But as far as on court performance goes, I like these way more. It is a much "faster" shoe. And yes, they run a bit long.
AndyBarronMuzza
Rookie
Yeah I think going down half a size is probably worth a try for most, and to use runners loop to mitigate heel slippage.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Sounds like you're just getting old. I am right there with you
Sounds bad. Wishing I'd bought 10+ pairs of my fav all-black Vapor X now.
rjp1977
Rookie
Got mine today. Same size 10 as my Vapor X's. I agree a little longer in the toe and feel a bit snugger over the top of my foot. Wearing them around the house they feel comfortable. I don't mind the shorter tongue compared to the X. I'm playing tonight so will see how they perform on astro.
initialize
Hall of Fame
I will definitely get these once that green/black version gets released
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
green and black major ugly. its like green lanturn with bad superman
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
Just got mine as well. Wearing them around the house.
Agree that they're longer. I went with my regular 9.5 size (have to go to 10 in the Vapor X). I'm noticing less pronation in my step - I hope that means the medial arch plate won't catch the court quite as much. Once it does, I slip like crazy on the court. Will try them out in doubles tonight to verify.
Strangely, arch plate slippage was a problem for me when I first got the X, then after a while it completely stopped and never happened again. Not sure if it's due to shoe breaking-in or what.
XFactorer
Hall of Fame
I have groin issues, so I have a low tolerance for that sort of shenanigans. Perhaps the plate spikes were eventually worn down? Confirmation bias is at play here, but I feel like the pros who wear the Vapor X and Pros are slipping all over the place as well. I did notice on my Vapor 9/9.5s that I'd have scratches on the mid-foot plate, but it never caused me to slip as much as the Vapor X plate does. I've give it a good whirl this weekend.
I've had similar issues with the Asics Trusstic system on the Court FFs as as well. And the Yonex Eclipsion 2s. GPs are my current go to shoes.
pointbreak
Rookie
went back to the x yesti and man the Pro is a great upgrade in every way, love them
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
They're definitely extremely thin and lightweight on the upper so not sure how durable that will be. I play on artificial grass 95% of the time which is definitely more forgiving on the outsole than hard court and I'm not a massive toe dragger or slider so I generally get pretty good longevity out of my shoes anyway.
