Nike Vapor 9.5 Alternative?

[Ballinbob]

Hey all

I ordered the Nike Vapor 9.5's and I understand they preform very well but also have very poor durability. I came from the Barricade 8's and wanted to try something less stiff/heavy. Is there a shoe that's in the middle of the Vapor and Barricade? A semi-light shoe with decent durability? What shoes should I look at?

 

[Lukhas]

Depends of the fit you like. Gel Resolution, Lunar Ballistecs on the top of my mind. The Raptors are pretty durable and faster feeling than the Barricades. Really depends of the fit you want.

 

[Fedinkum]

Switching to Ascis Speed 2 was my best decision.

 

[Ballinbob]

Thanks guys. Looking into the Raptors as I've heard great things about them

 

[Hollywood401k]

I used Barricades for awhile, but my favorite shoes are a toss up between Asics and Lotto. Both incomparably lighter feeling than Barricades.

 

[ArliHawk]

K Swiss Ultra or Hypercourt Express could be an option for you as well.

 

[tdhawks]

I switched from the Vapors to the Gel Resolutions. They are a little heavier, but so much better in terms of durability. They are extremely comfortable as well. The Speeds may be more in line with the Vapors, but I need the 6 month warranty so the choice was easy.

 

[Ballinbob]

Hmmm...I'm looking at the Gel Resolutions and I'm liking what I see. Looks exactly what I'm looking for....Kind of a mid-point between the light Vapors and super heavy Barricades

 

[ronfl]

Hey all

I ordered the Nike Vapor 9.5's and I understand they preform very well but also have very poor durability. I came from the Barricade 8's and wanted to try something less stiff/heavy. Is there a shoe that's in the middle of the Vapor and Barricade? A semi-light shoe with decent durability? What shoes should I look at?

I used the Vapor 9.5 and than i changed to the Nike vapor advantage, like this one: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Nike_Air_Vapor_Advantage_White_Orange/descpageMSNIKE-NMAVAWO.html
The durabillity is very similar but the price is much lower.

 

[mrtrinh]

I switched from the Vapors to the Gel Resolutions. They are a little heavier, but so much better in terms of durability. They are extremely comfortable as well. The Speeds may be more in line with the Vapors, but I need the 6 month warranty so the choice was easy.

Same here. Big vapor fan but I was burning through shoes so fast. GR5's are very comfortable, more durable, slightly heavier but with the same traction as the vapors. I don't think i'll ever go back to Nike again

 

[Anton]

I used the Vapor 9.5 and than i changed to the Nike vapor advantage, like this one: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Nike_Air_Vapor_Advantage_White_Orange/descpageMSNIKE-NMAVAWO.html
The durabillity is very similar but the price is much lower.

Me too - Advantage is a perfect shoe for those with wider forefoot. Obviously doesn't last as long as barricades, but at that price you even out.

 

[Ballinbob]

I used the Vapor 9.5 and than i changed to the Nike vapor advantage, like this one: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Nike_Air_Vapor_Advantage_White_Orange/descpageMSNIKE-NMAVAWO.html
The durabillity is very similar but the price is much lower.

Similar playability and comfort as well? That's an excellent price. I'm loving the 9.5's now and they play great but I know I'll wear them out quick. I'm really digging the plush feel and lightness of the shoe. If the Nike Vapor Advantage plays somewhat similarly I'll definitely switch over, as this is my style of shoe. I LOVED the durability of the Barricades, but I thought they were too clunky on court

 

[Lukhas]

Similar playability and comfort as well? That's an excellent price. I'm loving the 9.5's now and they play great but I know I'll wear them out quick. I'm really digging the plush feel and lightness of the shoe. If the Nike Vapor Advantage plays somewhat similarly I'll definitely switch over, as this is my style of shoe. I LOVED the durability of the Barricades, but I thought they were too clunky on court

How fast do you wear out the V9.5? Even if it looks cheaper, a more durable shoe might be a better investment long term. If it's less than 2 months, then that's 3*64$ every 6 months at least. It's not between the V9.5s or the Barricades.

 

[Ballinbob]

This is actually my first pair of V9.5's, so I'm not sure. I had a pair of Vapor 9's that lasted me 4-5 months approximately. From what I read, both the Raptors and Asics Gel Resolution 5 have good durability and aren't overly bulky. I will base my decision on how fast I wear out this pair of 9.5's

 

[derek08844]

Lunar Ballistics are surprisingly durable for their weight

 

[Lukhas]

This is actually my first pair of V9.5's, so I'm not sure. I had a pair of Vapor 9's that lasted me 4-5 months approximately. From what I read, both the Raptors and Asics Gel Resolution 5 have good durability and aren't overly bulky. I will base my decision on how fast I wear out this pair of 9.5's

Well you're not exactly in the market for a very durable and guaranteed shoe if it takes you that long. Probably more the Resolutions than the Raptors. You're still gonna change shoes at least once a year, when the cushioning goes away (even if you don't notice it at first).

 

[The Big Kahuna]

I switched from the Vapors to the Gel Resolutions. They are a little heavier, but so much better in terms of durability. They are extremely comfortable as well. The Speeds may be more in line with the Vapors, but I need the 6 month warranty so the choice was easy.

Ditto!

Same deal here. I swear by the Asics SPEED 2s and RESOLUTION 6s.

 

[JGads]

Ditto!

Same deal here. I swear by the Asics SPEED 2s and RESOLUTION 6s.

I remember another thread where you said you put Superfeet Carbon in a pair of Res 6s and it took away the 'mushiness' of them, which intrigued me as I thought the Gel Res 5s were suddenly mush city. Which do you prefer -- the 6s with SF or the Speed 2s? I'm a huge Speed 2 fan (with stock insoles actually), but thinking of trying the 6s with the SF at some point if I find them cheap.

 

[INHUMANU]

From July onwards you will have the Adizero Ubersonics, they are unbelievable. They are lower to the ground that the Vapors and great support and better durability. I am definitely getting a pair when they come out

 

[JGads]

From July onwards you will have the Adizero Ubersonics, they are unbelievable. They are lower to the ground that the Vapors and great support and better durability. I am definitely getting a pair when they come out

But are they super narrow like almost all Adidas?

 

[Ballinbob]

Seems like Asics Gel Resoultuon 5-6 is a very popular shoe. I have Asics running shoes and they are AMAZING, absolutlely love them

 

[stiggytennis]

Wilson Rush Pro(original) if you can deal with the looks.

 

[Fintft]

Still prefer Nike Ballistecs over anything else, including Asiscs GR5 (except for clay version where GR5s are the best imho).

 

[INHUMANU]

But are they super narrow like almost all Adidas?

The size specs are the same but the material is a lot softer than F3, so it has a fit that adapts better to wider feet. There will be some amazing colorways for FW15 on Ubersonics.

 

[Toyo]

Seems like Asics Gel Resoultuon 5-6 is a very popular shoe. I have Asics running shoes and they are AMAZING, absolutlely love them

Yes, I agree! I've been only using the Asics Nimbus for running and will never switch to any other.

In the past I've used Barricades, CB 4.3, Breathe 2K10, Babolat Propulse, but they've all had their certain flaws.

I can't believe it's taken me this long to try an Asics tennis shoe but I'm so glad I did with the SS2. I think I've found the perfect tennis shoe as I did with the Nimbus for running!