cheaplikeafox
New User
I don't think the pink one/yellow one is ordinary. It's a little too flashy though. I would prefer more color options as well!
Official Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5 Thread
- Thread starter anhuynh16
- Start date
They don't even need to get that creative. Just pull out some of the exact old colorways they made in the past and people will buy them.
I feel like Nike has shot themselves in the foot with this one. If they wanted to do limited releases and test the waters to see if people would buy the shoe again they really made it difficult for themselves by offering poor color choices and then very limited quantities of them at a time.
I feel like Nike has shot themselves in the foot with this one. If they wanted to do limited releases and test the waters to see if people would buy the shoe again they really made it difficult for themselves by offering poor color choices and then very limited quantities of them at a time.
I agree that the colorways were not good, but the quantities were more than enough as evidenced by the deep discounts they needed to provide in order to move these. Even after the discounts there are still plenty available.
There is a large market for retros of all types of shoes, but it seems that in the performance shoe market people want what is viewed as the newest and greatest technology as opposed to throwbacks.
I wouldn't call any of the colors ordinary except the leather ones. I actually really like the southern California ones ("scribble"). So cool. That's kind of it for me though: I don't want leather and the pink ones are too loud for me.
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
I think they did it on purpose tbh
Some executive won a power struggle to get these reissued, and whoever was actually in charge of implementation decided to give us the worst colors possible to prove that exec wrong. I'm guessing there was a sizable contingent within the company who really didn't want to do this.
There was also the issue of pricing them at $160 or whatever it was.
Sure, they went on sale and I got mine both for under $100, nevertheless, sticker shock.
(Obviously there are those on this forum who claimed they'd literally pay anything and then balked at the price)
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Right, exactly. I think Nike partly did this limited run just to prove that those consumers were all talk.
Price wasn't my issue. They were $140 when they came out in 2015 so this is more or less where they should be. I never pay full price for shoes or gear anyway.
d-quik
Hall of Fame
I used to think this kind of stuff is tinfoil hat conspiracy but now that I know how the world works, i now think this is actually sounds like it is highly highly probable
So petty
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
I used to think this kind of stuff is tinfoil hat conspiracy but now that I know how the world works, i now think this is actually sounds like it is highly highly probable
So petty
Exactly. Spend some time in corporate life and you see that things only get done by executive graces.
So either there was an exec who was really passionate about this and was hamstrung by the marketing team who picked the colors, or an exec who decided to humor a very passionate product team but didn't fully commit to their vision.
I don't agree that Nike wanted the shoe to fail or that the shoe represents some type of power struggle within Nike. I think it's more plausible that Nike didn't want the shoe to compete with its other offerings and was more offering this as a "collector's"/"niche" item. Therefore, they didn't want to release it in plainer colors. If they priced it at $129.99 (same as the Vapor Pro 2 and this is "old tech," right?), promoted it, and released it in less polarizing colors, I think it would have been received differently by players and fans.
By the way, I'm not convinced the shoe re-release was a failure. I obviously don't know what Nike made on it, but they certainly didn't lose money! I've seen players wearing it in local tournaments and leagues, and I for one am relieved I have two new pairs. Like most are suggesting, the release could have been handled better and it would be nice if they continued making the shoe in a few basic colors. By no means was the re-release a failure though.
By the way, I'm not convinced the shoe re-release was a failure. I obviously don't know what Nike made on it, but they certainly didn't lose money! I've seen players wearing it in local tournaments and leagues, and I for one am relieved I have two new pairs. Like most are suggesting, the release could have been handled better and it would be nice if they continued making the shoe in a few basic colors. By no means was the re-release a failure though.
Def agree it's a very curious release, I can't imagine these colors being desired by... anyone? Not sure why they are so against just playing the hits and releasing some of the classic colors. They are doing a similar plan with some of the Kobe re-releases, great shoes in colors that no one seems excited for.
I feel it's been a decent seller, I've seen a bunch of the green/palm leaf ones, and the honey deuces. More than I ever see of the GPs or V11s out in the wild (my foot withstanding, the 9.5 sole was never comfy for me).
I feel it's been a decent seller, I've seen a bunch of the green/palm leaf ones, and the honey deuces. More than I ever see of the GPs or V11s out in the wild (my foot withstanding, the 9.5 sole was never comfy for me).
I'm not just anyone, I'm me.
I like all the colors, last place is the scribble (it's boring)
Leather (super classic with the gum sole)
HoneyD (bright and flashy, Fed wasn't shy about wearing bold colorways of his Vapors)
I don't get all the hate on the colorways. Yes, Nike could've done all black/white swoosh or the inverse. But as @Chopin points out it would've cannibalized sales and made Nike look stupid, 10-year old shoe outsells modern tech/R/D, not a good look.
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I think you mean more stupid
They already have a bad image with the pros not embracing their line up, PE clothing not avail to consumers (colors, sleeveless), fans grumbling more than praising. They had a great run of what was on the pro court being available to buy.
I'm all for them pushing the envelope forward, but hard to do when tennis is such a low income generator vs. basketball/running who get all the flashy R&D. Tennis has to wait years for the stroble zoom insoles or the flyplate, etc. I would argue most of the current line up isn't much beyond what the 9.5 or ten years previous tech was.
Honestly the "stories" of the colorways are just too random. The honeydeuce is based off a cocktail at the USO tied to another brand (Grey Goose), mmm ok. The scribble is based on the 'desert murals' of IW, mmm alright. How about a WhatTheVapor with a mix of colors of famous V9.5 that won slams? Or colors echo'ing famous Air Max shoes? Or Olympics? Not everything has to have Fed/Agassi nods; I think the MacAttack V11 is actually a good execution for a homage (but not many people like the V11); same with the AJ3 x V9.5 -- can't believe these were available for so long -- but the story was more clear, had ties to it's own roots, etc.
But the desirability question, would anyone desire any of the current releases over say the launch color or just any random 2015 color?
Oh well! Glad you dig them!
They already have a bad image with the pros not embracing their line up, PE clothing not avail to consumers (colors, sleeveless), fans grumbling more than praising. They had a great run of what was on the pro court being available to buy.
I'm all for them pushing the envelope forward, but hard to do when tennis is such a low income generator vs. basketball/running who get all the flashy R&D. Tennis has to wait years for the stroble zoom insoles or the flyplate, etc. I would argue most of the current line up isn't much beyond what the 9.5 or ten years previous tech was.
Honestly the "stories" of the colorways are just too random. The honeydeuce is based off a cocktail at the USO tied to another brand (Grey Goose), mmm ok. The scribble is based on the 'desert murals' of IW, mmm alright. How about a WhatTheVapor with a mix of colors of famous V9.5 that won slams? Or colors echo'ing famous Air Max shoes? Or Olympics? Not everything has to have Fed/Agassi nods; I think the MacAttack V11 is actually a good execution for a homage (but not many people like the V11); same with the AJ3 x V9.5 -- can't believe these were available for so long -- but the story was more clear, had ties to it's own roots, etc.
But the desirability question, would anyone desire any of the current releases over say the launch color or just any random 2015 color?
Oh well! Glad you dig them!
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Not a failure, but not the roaring success that it could have been either - job well done if you’re the marketing exec in question.
I think you mean more stupid
They already have a bad image with the pros not embracing their line up, PE clothing not avail to consumers (colors, sleeveless), fans grumbling more than praising. They had a great run of what was on the pro court being available to buy.
I'm all for them pushing the envelope forward, but hard to do when tennis is such a low income generator vs. basketball/running who get all the flashy R&D. Tennis has to wait years for the stroble zoom insoles or the flyplate, etc. I would argue most of the current line up isn't much beyond what the 9.5 or ten years previous tech was.
Honestly the "stories" of the colorways are just too random. The honeydeuce is based off a cocktail at the USO tied to another brand (Grey Goose), mmm ok. The scribble is based on the 'desert murals' of IW, mmm alright. How about a WhatTheVapor with a mix of colors of famous V9.5 that won slams? Or colors echo'ing famous Air Max shoes? Or Olympics? Not everything has to have Fed/Agassi nods; I think the MacAttack V11 is actually a good execution for a homage (but not many people like the V11); same with the AJ3 x V9.5 -- can't believe these were available for so long -- but the story was more clear, had ties to it's own roots, etc.
But the desirability question, would anyone desire any of the current releases over say the launch color or just any random 2015 color?
Oh well! Glad you dig them!
I think the "stories" idea could have been good if they had released more of them. As it is, we only got two "stories" (Indian Wells and the US Open and nothing in between). You're right: it seemed random. They could have released the Vapors with this narrative in mind. Something like "New Vapor 9.5, new story" and had shoes that reflected various tournaments. I think that would have been cool and I could even see some people trying to collect them all.
I like that idea. I would love a Green/Purple/Gold unofficial Wimby color, Orange/BabyBlue AO, Clay/Green FO, and on and on.
The Indian Wells palm fronds things seems a like they had the pattern and then fitted it to Indian Wells, not that they wanted to reference/celebrate Indian Wells and then designed the patter. I don't think most people would have come up with the turquoise scribble leaf pattern if you asked them to think of icon Palm Springs imagery -- prob more desert/mountains/sunset skies would come to most people???
they had nothing to do with palm trees lol - they were based on the scribble art murals that get done of the winners each year
I love the look with the gum sole and them as a pre / after play shoe but as a play shoe the toe wouldn't stand up for me
I'll let you know, I also drag my toes pretty bad and just started using these.
Although I'm also just trying to not drag my toes as much. My last pair of Ubersonic 2s wore the toe out before the outsole.
gino
Legend
Definitely none in Q1 or Q2 plan…
I guess it's over then.
Nice to see Dimitrov playing in his custom 9.5s tonight and deliver that Federeresque performance.
gino
Legend
Classic first strike tennis, lovely colorway of the v9 too
Would hope Nike opens their eyes, stops releasing horrible “innovative” shoes and just put everyone back in the v9/9.5 on tour
I'd like to see them release a "tour" version with the carbon fiber shank in it like the Federer and Dimitrov versions.
gino
Legend
& the vapor speed outsole, a man can dream
OMG - thank you. I had no idea, naturally I will blame Nike and TT posters who never posted a comparison to these sketches!they had nothing to do with palm trees lol - they were based on the scribble art murals that get done of the winners each year
(I just keep seeing 'murals found in the Southern California desert' in the description and I was very confused (obviously).VitalSigns
New User
Just picked up a pair of the hot punch vapor 9.5s...so much lighter than the cage 4s! Have yet to play in them but they feel great, wide toe box.
innoVAShaun
G.O.A.T.
I only have the Vapor AJ3s and the extrinsic heel post of my orthotics do not sit well for tennis play. It makes the heel of the outsole feel unstable.
Somebody knows if 9.5 will be back again? DV2958-001 come to the end, FJ1683-100 leather version seems more fragile, but very comfortable
How do the leathers compare in fit and performance?
gino
Legend
Sadly no 9.5 in 2024Somebody knows if 9.5 will be back again? DV2958-001 come to the end, FJ1683-100 leather version seems more fragile, but very comfortable
gino
Legend
Fit is nearly identical - although the leathers open up considerably more in the forefoot relative to the multi layered mesh in the normal ones
gino
Legend
yup. boils down to the fans starting to wear through their initial pairs. even though they didnt sell out at launch, i expect the prices to continue to trend up
agreed to this. a few of us may have also raided the a few at good prices... just saying
gplracer
Hall of Fame
They did not sell out at launch because the colorways sucked. I have the above pair but they are not my favorite. I do have the ones above that are all white with a blue swoosh. I really like them. I just put them on for the first time the other day. I have been saving them since they are no longer available. My older pair are almost worn out.
I posted two pics of the Roger Pro 2 next to the leather 9.5 Vapor.
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
I think the RP2 has some Vapor vibes if not DNA. I think fans of the Vapor could find solace in the RP2.
DISCLAIMER: I have only used the clay RP2. I do think the RP2 might feel a little different because it has more of a one piece outsole, but so did the Vapor X.
On foot, I think they feel similar (RP2 and V9.5). They feel far more similar than the Roger Pro and the 9.5 do.
On THE ROGER Pro 2
Im considering buying a pair of these. How heavy are they? I'm coming off the Nike Vapor Cage 4s which felt like bricks and I want something lighter. Also, do they run true to size or have to order a certain size up/down?
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
I think the RP2 has some Vapor vibes if not DNA. I think fans of the Vapor could find solace in the RP2.
DISCLAIMER: I have only used the clay RP2. I do think the RP2 might feel a little different because it has more of a one piece outsole, but so did the Vapor X.
On foot, I think they feel similar (RP2 and V9.5). They feel far more similar than the Roger Pro and the 9.5 do.
Babolast
Legend
None for 2025 either.
gino
Legend
Glad I stocked up!
Acebrigade
New User
That’s sad news. The prices for the 9.5s (I should have bought more!) are now kinda silly. I’m all in on the vapor 12s then
I'l own the Vapor Pro 1 and the Vapor 11. Vapor Pro 1 had a terrible heal lock for me. Vapor 11 is a decent shoe but too built up...it's like it's from a completely different line. Stable but not nimble. 9.5 forever!
If you all can stomach the price, I really recommend trying the Roger Pro 2.
@gino knows or has seen in a video, I wear the 9.5 on hard court and am trying the RP2 on clay.
I have also posted a few comparison pics in the RP2 thread, most recently the insoles laid atop one another. They are very very similar
They feel similar on foot.
I understand there is no replacement for the GOAT 9.5/X, but I just trying to help everyone find an alternative. Sadly it is pricey
@gino knows or has seen in a video, I wear the 9.5 on hard court and am trying the RP2 on clay.
I have also posted a few comparison pics in the RP2 thread, most recently the insoles laid atop one another. They are very very similar
They feel similar on foot.
I understand there is no replacement for the GOAT 9.5/X, but I just trying to help everyone find an alternative. Sadly it is pricey
What are the differences between the 9.5 and the Roger Pro 2 in your mind?
What about the durability of the outsole?
gino
Legend
I think the colored normal style rubbers take longer to wear. The gum sole is softer and as a result less durable
d-quik
Hall of Fame
IDK if you can remember but is the X narrower in the toebox compared to the 9.5/RP2?
From my recollection the X is shaped more like the Roger Pro. Sort of a more pronounced lateral flange shape then cuts back to the toebox.
The 9.5 and RP2 have what I call an elongated type lateral side. It is a smoother curve from the middle into the toebox
