Nike Vapor Pro 2021 First Impression

[Orion]

Ordered from TW over the weekend and received yesterday. I posted a review on store site that hasn't posted.

As a Vapor Cage fan I was torn between the NXT Vapor and the Vapor Pro. The scathing reviews of the NXT swayed me to the Pro.

The Upper: My first impression pulling out the box was WTF has Nike done to this shoe. It feels cheap. The jury is out on the FLYWIRE upper, but can see the benefits in the dead of summer. I've been wearing around the house since yesterday. I have concerns with the support level. The lateral shanks are from the VC while the medial are carried over from the last gen. Asymmetrical lacing from the VC but the outer lateral side laces are exposed.

Fit: The heel counter feels like it's been shortened to half the size. There's no contour to the rear of the shoe and this lends to a gap at the Achilles, despite the padded heel collar. I've been wearing one shoe laced using the top eyelet and this minimizes the gap. The inside of the shoe feels like cardboard on the medical side; the lateral side is not reinforced with the same application. I feel like this is the by product of the Flywire manufacturing process and Nikes's effort to keep the weight down. I've noticed the Flywire buckling on the interior of the shoe in normal wear. The tongue is from the VC but slightly taller and noticably thinner. It doesn't work as well as it does on the VC. It feels like these are an ankle sprain waiting to happen.

Stuff: The insole is the cheap glued in variety that pulls loose sliding your finger through the shoe. Zero arch contour...just a pad. While the shoe is not narrow, it looks like Nike may be trending toward the narrow shoes I stopped wearing in the mid-2000's

Sole: Unchanged from the last gen Vapor. Expect low durability. Wondering if the reduced weight will affect outsole durability..

Summary: The Vapor is Nike's budget entry performance shoe. Guess they've created a new category with a knock down shoe with a higher entry phone point. Guess it worked because they got my $120. EVERY instinct told me to return these. Saving grace is that I ordered the black colorway and worst case they can pull double duty as a casual shoe.

 

[Al Czervik]

I agree that they seem cheap out of the box. But, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the fit. There was a bit of a weird flex on the side of the forefoot, but that went away after some wearing. They feel really light and I'm guessing all of the mesh breathes well. I doubt they will hold up to much usage.

 

[megamind]

Sounds like the new Solution Speeds are better

 

[JGads]

I agree that they seem cheap out of the box. But, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the fit. There was a bit of a weird flex on the side of the forefoot, but that went away after some wearing. They feel really light and I'm guessing all of the mesh breathes well. I doubt they will hold up to much usage.

And your description of the fit?

 

[cortado]

Hmm doesn't sound good. I really like the Vapor X. The ankle and heel fit is perfect for me, zero heel-lift whatsoever and the tongue fits perfectly and does not move at all.
Seriously considering something completely different like New Balance basketball shoes.

 

[Vanhalen]

I’ll play my first match in mine on Saturday. They arrived today. Boy, they seem cheap, light and flimsy. But, might be great for matches. Very attractive. I’ll stick with my Cages for practice. They are just so darn solid.

 

[Orion]

I wonder how long the Vapor Cages will be in production. I sent a 10 month old pair into another retailer to warranty with Nike as a defect. The outer fabric separated from the lateral shank at the forefoot. Can't see this happening with the Flywire. Based on emails received looks like they refunded the purchase oppossed to sending a replacement pair of shoes.

The Vapors are chasing the Ubersonic. Crazy that both have confused evolution with destruction. Played in U4 last night and they are considerably more comfortable than the Vapor 2021. I wore the VPro all day yesterday and they don't seem to require a break-in period. The Lightstrike midsole is more comfortable. I'd like to see Nike find a way to compress React and use in the Vapor.

 

[JGads]

I’ll play my first match in mine on Saturday. They arrived today. Boy, they seem cheap, light and flimsy. But, might be great for matches. Very attractive. I’ll stick with my Cages for practice. They are just so darn solid.

I wonder how long the Vapor Cages will be in production. I sent a 10 month old pair into another retailer to warranty with Nike as a defect. The outer fabric separated from the lateral shank at the forefoot. Can't see this happening with the Flywire. Based on emails received looks like they refunded the purchase oppossed to sending a replacement pair of shoes.

Either of you guys have stability issues with the Cages? I tried a pair on awhile back and that higher feeling off the ground plus the rounded outsole just seemed like it was begging you to roll an ankle, but I see so many high level players wearing these and I also think I may have tried on a half size too big at the time. Kind of reconsidering getting a pair to try via Nike to test out since I could still return them. The new Vapors look incredible too but as a high-archer, wider-footer I have serious doubts they will work for my foot. May order both for an at-home try on once Nike gets in the VP.

 

[Rosstour]

Either of you guys have stability issues with the Cages? I tried a pair on awhile back and that higher feeling off the ground plus the rounded outsole just seemed like it was begging you to roll an ankle, but I see so many high level players wearing these and I also think I may have tried on a half size too big at the time. Kind of reconsidering getting a pair to try via Nike to test out since I could still return them. The new Vapors look incredible too but as a high-archer, wider-footer I have serious doubts they will work for my foot. May order both for an at-home try on once Nike gets in the VP.

No stability issues and in fact they have noticeably augmented my movement.

 

[JGads]

No stability issues and in fact they have noticeably augmented my movement.

Interesting. In spite of the weight? Don't notice it much?

 

[Rosstour]

Interesting. In spite of the weight? Don't notice it much?

I don't notice it at all. The shoe is so good in transition that it doesn't play heavy. I own Vapors for clay too, so I know what truly light shoes feel like.

My only concern is ventilation for the hottest months. Haven't done that yet, as I got them when it was cooling down outside.

 

[JGads]

I don't notice it at all. The shoe is so good in transition that it doesn't play heavy. I own Vapors for clay too, so I know what truly light shoes feel like.

My only concern is ventilation for the hottest months. Haven't done that yet, as I got them when it was cooling down outside.

Cool thanks. My tennis these days is more in the training/drilling realm rather than league matches so the sturdiness of them are intriguing, and I do remember they had very good forefoot cushioning for hours-long sessions.

 

[Rosstour]

Cool thanks. My tennis these days is more in the training/drilling realm rather than league matches so the sturdiness of them are intriguing, and I do remember they had very good forefoot cushioning for hours-long sessions.

Yeah they're easily the best shoes I've tried. I cover the court noticeably better (hitting buddy's words, not mine) and I feel fresh after every match which I could not say for the Vapors I used to play in. Also, no slipping/rolling. Really can't say enough about them.

 

[Vanhalen]

I agree with Ross. The cages are so solid. I also use an insert. I’m playing tomorrow in the afternoon. Starting with the new Vapor Pro’s. I’ll post my thoughts. They seem to fit perfectly. Gosh they are light, but I’ve been playing the Cages for a year now. The soles are hardly showing any wear! But the side on my right shoe is pushing out of the mesh.

 

[Vanhalen]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/nike-vapor-pro-2021-first-impression.693859/

 

[Orion]

Yeah they're easily the best shoes I've tried. I cover the court noticeably better (hitting buddy's words, not mine) and I feel fresh after every match which I could not say for the Vapors I used to play in. Also, no slipping/rolling. Really can't say enough about them.

I echo this assessment. The Vapor Cage feels heavy in hand but plays lighter than it's weight. It changes direction fast and I find it springy when moving on drop shots. I don't have foot fatigue after practice or match play. My current rotation is Gel Res 8, Ubersonic 4 and Cable Cage.

 

[Orion]

... But the side on my right shoe is pushing out of the mesh.

Sounds like what I had mine defect warrantied for. Soles were smoothing out. Had weather permitted in think I would have got the sole warranty. Sounds like the upper may have been a design flaw which necessitated the use of Flyweave or whatever Nike calls it.

 

[Vanhalen]

Sounds like what I had mine defect warrantied for. My doors were smoothing out. Had weather permitted in think I would have got the sole warranty. Sounds like the upper may have been a design flaw which necessitated the use of Flywesve or whatever Nike calls it.

I prac just short of 2 hours. We hit hard, minimal breaks. Never feel ankle or foot fatigue. Very comfortable like flying a 747....lol