Finally the weather held and I got 2.5 hours of court time on them yesterday. Played a doubles match and won. I am referencing the clay court version, FYI.
Highlights:
-Step in comfort. Had worn them on a wet court for like 15 minutes only, so were not broken in. But they didn't feel like they needed it.
-Did not notice them playing. If I notice the shoes while playing, it's usually a bad thing because it means they don't feel natural.
- I did not notice the more snug fit. I mentioned previously the 11 seemed a little short but opted to keep it anyway. I think this was the right move. But if you wear thick/multiple pairs of socks you may want to go up a 1/2 size.
- Grip was good and they still have the great court feel of the Roger Pro.
- I think they fixed the stiff and noticeable lateral flange on the Roger Pro with this version. Not as hard plastic feeling on the inside of the shoe near the pinky toe.
- Feels like they "smoothed out" the fit compared to the RPro. By this I mean, the RPro's are very distinct with such a pronounced lateral flange and you can almost feel it jut out, these feel more natural/normal on foot and I think will appeal to more people.
-They're better looking in person than pictures.
-I think they've got some Vapor 9.5 vibes. When you look at the bottom side by side (Which I did) it is a very similar shape to the 9.5. More smoothly elongated on the lateral side versus the sharp outward cut on the Roger Pro. The RPro was more similar to the Vapor X. Plus these have the lace eyelets that run down to the sole versus just the upper.
-I don't know what they're classed as, but you could call them a speed shoe. They move nicely, aren't clumsy, and took no adjustment from me when I put them on. I can't say I've ever felt faster or slower in a shoe unless it didn't fit, but I never regretted lacing them up for a match.
Lowlights:
-Price, obviously
-Not a super locked in feel at the heel. For those who like to feel sunk into the shoe, these don't really give that. I partially blame the thin tongue. I think a thicker tongue provides more resistance and holds the foot down better. Did my foot/heel ever slip out or move, No, but if you are super big on heel lockdown these may not suit you.
-Not quite as low to the ground feeling. Piggybacking on my prior comment, you don't feel as sunk down in the shoe a little more standing on it. They aren't platform shoes by any means but not as riding in the shoe as the RPro's. While you do get good court feel through the shoe, not as much as with the RPro where you feel like you're on the court in sock feet.
-Again, tacking onto the court feel, I'm conflicted on the outsole. I like the deep grooves for grip, but it is deeper than the RPro and you feel that you are standing on more rubber. It doesn't necessarily create a disconnect, it is just different. I think I prefer the RPro and also haven't had any traction issues to need the extra grip.
-They should've kept the RPro tongue. The thin tongue matches the aesthetic but I'm just not a fan. It isn't the full neoprene job of the Vapor Pro, this does have a thin layer of padding, but just give me a traditional padded tongue. Just a personal preference, I didn't experience any discomfort while playing.
-I kind of think I like these more than the RPro. (I'll elaborate)
Overall, these are very nice shoes. I opted for the white/pink which was a good move. They look much better in person and are quite stylish. The pictures do look boring. My main complaint is I want a hybrid...sort of. Somehow I think I like these better than the RPro, but I want the RPro outsole on these to make them even faster. These have a super chunky herrignbone which is great for grip but I like the ultra-low to the ground and flat feel of the less deep RPro outsole. It is odd because most of the product pages for the RP2 online have a picture of an outsole that doesn't match this, not sure if it was a rendering or what. I would also rather have the RPro tongue.
So under lowlights I put I think I like these more. This is because I think these have a more "normal" fit/shape but I like alot of the design elements of the RPro. In contradiction, I do also like some of the design elements of these, as you can see I am conflicted.
The biggest let down is obviously the price, I guess they do have a carbon shank, but otherwise I'm not sure why they're so expensive.