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?
 
VitalSigns said:
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?
Click to expand...
I'll weigh mine later today and let you know.

True to size for me but if you prefer extra room I'd go up half a size. Honestly, just order your normal size and a 1/2 size up and see which feel better and return the others
 
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.
 
VitalSigns said:
How heavy are they?
Click to expand...
443g or 15.6 oz for my men's size 11. Also, mine are the clay court version which do have a different outsole. I could see these being heavier as the tread is deeper, albeit, probably not significantly heavier.

They wear it well though, nicely balanced and you don't feel the weight as much as you'd think.
 
Has anyone noticed that most of the pros that have signed with on and are using the On Roger Pro 2 are still using a pro stock version with the On Roger Pro 1 outsole and tread? Ben is supposedly wearing the On Roger Pro 2 but its 100% a custom-made version with a different outsole. I just think its a little funny that On is following in Nikes footsteps and misleading buyers.
 
Eravauttennis said:
Has anyone noticed that most of the pros that have signed with on and are using the On Roger Pro 2 are still using a pro stock version with the On Roger Pro 1 outsole and tread? Ben is supposedly wearing the On Roger Pro 2 but its 100% a custom-made version with a different outsole. I just think its a little funny that On is following in Nikes footsteps and misleading buyers.
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That makes sense since that outsole sacrifices 75% of the durability (which professional athletes don't care about) for a 25% gain in performance (which they care about).

Most regular people can't just reduce the life expectancy of their shoes by 75% for such a small gain.
 
d-quik said:
That makes sense since that outsole sacrifices 75% of the durability (which professional athletes don't care about) for a 25% gain in performance (which they care about).

Most regular people can't just reduce the life expectancy of their shoes by 75% for such a small gain.
Click to expand...
Agree, and when compared to Nike, that's not that worse to qualify as misleading, at least you can still get RP1 and RP2 in the market.
 
Eravauttennis said:
Has anyone noticed that most of the pros that have signed with on and are using the On Roger Pro 2 are still using a pro stock version with the On Roger Pro 1 outsole and tread? Ben is supposedly wearing the On Roger Pro 2 but its 100% a custom-made version with a different outsole. I just think its a little funny that On is following in Nikes footsteps and misleading buyers.
Click to expand...
Iga's are really the only ones that are 100% custom.
Ben's are pretty close to the RP2 save for the outsole. To be honest, he was using the RP2 before they were released so may switch to the new outsole.
But as @d-quik stated, it actually makes sense to release a more durable outsole for the retail version.
Those are really the only two pro's using ON.
 
I think these could scratch the itch...
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HWxy2Z.jpg
 
See above photos.

As I said, these have some Vapor 9.5 vibes. I think the shape of the outsole is very similar. Look at the heel and forefoot, also see the shank is in nearly the same place.
I played on clay and hard court last week so went from one pair to the other and they feels similar on foot.
More narrow in the heel and midfoot and then opening up a bit in the toe.
Also feels like a similar level of cushioning underfoot.
Obviously these are the leather version and may have a more generous toe, but the mesh ones would have a similar, breathable upper as these.
 
Chairman3 said:
I think the shape of the outsole is very similar. Look at the heel and forefoot, also see the shank is in nearly the same place.
Click to expand...
:cool: It would be interesting if you could **takes off sunglasses** put the two insoles on top of each other and see if the footbed is also the same :oops:
 
Posting here as well as the RP thread..

So I figured it out
(Disclaimer: This pertains to the clay versions of both shoes but is probably 90 percent applicable)

I wore my RPs today after having used the RP2s exclusively over the last few weeks. I think maybe 5-7 times.

I figured out the differences.
The RPs are more balanced. You get more ground feel because the outsole and maybe cushioning feel thinner. I think it's mostly the outsole. But what this does is keep the weight evenly distributed between the upper and outsole.

Now the RP2s have more stout outsoles. The clay version seem like they might be even a little more stout than the hardcourt, but it probably is only marginal in reality. But this more durable outsole combined with the lighter weight upper creates an imbalance. The shoes are bottom heavy. It is noticeable on foot and they don't quite feel as fast as the RPs. Is it detrimental, NO, just a different feel.

I picked up both shoes by the tongue and it confirms my thoughts. The RP2 leans more toward the toes while the RP stays almost even.

It is equivalent to a sportscar and a basic economy car. The sports car will have nearer to 50/50 weight distribution whereas the cheaper car won't.
In the case of the RP2, they aren't cheaper, they just wanted to make a more durable outsole, so I can't totally fault them.

My problem is I want the RP outsole on the RP2 upper. The RP2 has a more natural shape and fit, especially the lateral side. While the RPs make a sharper cut which you can feel more on your pinky toe at times.

I also probably should've gone up a half size, or could have, but I never have good luck with that.

Sorry it got so long, thanks for sticking with me. (y)
 
d-quik said:
This slightly sounds like you should have sized up on the RPs instead of the RP2s, no?
Click to expand...
Uh technically I should've gone up a half-size on both to have a slightly more generous fit. But in the past when I've gone up a half size you end up with too much material in the forefoot and it feels off or bunches up. The two models fit very similarly lengthwise.

It really is just a significant difference in how the lateral forefoot is made and shaped. I also think maybe they learned from the RP and put softer material inside the shoe in this area on the RP2.
 
jguttentag said:
He summed up the shoes completely when complementing how stable and light they are while they do not give you anything for free. I’ve had them for two months and the durability is insane and they’re great all court aggressive shoes, but what you get out of them all depends on your footwork and effort.
Click to expand...

Yep, definitely true and reflects my experience so far in them.

I like them a lot: great ground feel, responsive, not too much shoe/cushioning, fast, light.

BUT: too narrow in the forefoot.

If they were to make a wide it would be nearly a perfect shoe for me, at least wrt anything currently on the market.

Did you hear that On? W.I.D.E.
 
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Chopin said:
How do these compare to the Vapor 9.5s?
Click to expand...
Very similar fit and feel, but a little more bottom heavy. That is the clay version though.
I think the hardcourt could be a little more balanced because the clay sole is really chunky and deeply grooved, so it may have extra rubber.
If you scroll up a few posts you can see some comparison pics I posted.
Very comfortable on foot and I think you'd find it a good substitute.
 
Chairman3 said:
Very similar fit and feel, but a little more bottom heavy. That is the clay version though.
I think the hardcourt could be a little more balanced because the clay sole is really chunky and deeply grooved, so it may have extra rubber.
If you scroll up a few posts you can see some comparison pics I posted.
Very comfortable on foot and I think you'd find it a good substitute.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I keep reading that they're not forgiving in terms of cushioning. Which one would you pick? 9.5 or Roger Pro 2?
 
arthurli22 said:
I have worn the Vapor 9.5 flyknit, Vapor X flyknit, RP1 and RP2, I will say RP2 has the best cushioning among the bunch.
Click to expand...

Not super surprising. X midsole is thin. 9.5 chunkier but doesn’t age well. I will say it’s good news they are keeping the pro more cushioned than his vapors of old (esp vapor 6). This is a better philoshphy for a well rounded shoe
 
I also played 9.5, Pro and Pro2. For me the 9.5 is definitive the most cushioned of the three! You simply can feel the softer foam of the 9.5.
 
tennistiger said:
I also played 9.5, Pro and Pro2. For me the 9.5 is definitive the most cushioned of the three! You simply can feel the softer foam of the 9.5.
Click to expand...

Out of the box the 9.5 is awesome midsole wise, but it does compress and bottom out in the forefoot pretty quick
 
Chairman3 said:
Agree with @arthurli22

Both are more minimalist in terms of cushioning as they're both more "speed shoes." But the RP2 probably feels like it has more than the 9.5, definitely not any worse.
Click to expand...
Interesting! The podiatrist Zach on YouTube implies the shoe is fairly unforgiving. He agrees with someone in the comments that the foam is not very soft. I really thought the 9.5 was supposed to be softer and more comfortable. I personally love the 9.5, but maybe I'll try the Roger.
 
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Chopin said:
Interesting! The podiatrist Zach on YouTube implies the shoe is fairly unforgiving. He agrees with someone in the comments that the foam is not very soft. I really thought the 9.5 was supposed to be softer and more comfortable. I personally love the 9.5, but maybe all try the Roger.
Click to expand...
Neither are super plush, cushion-y, pillow shoes. If you want fat stacks of padding, I would look elsewhere.
To me they're both more minimal in terms of cushioning but the trade off is more court feel and quicker movement.

Compared to each either, from my experience, they're very similar.
If anything the RP2 are more unforgiving because they're a stiffer feeling shoe. The RP2 has a carbon shank in the midfoot and a small carbon shank/support in the lateral forefoot.
The 9.5 has a simple plastic shank which separates the rearfoot from the forefoot.

For step in comfort and a familiar feel, I don't think you can go wrong from the 9.5 to the RP2.
 
Chopin said:
Interesting! The podiatrist Zach on YouTube implies the shoe is fairly unforgiving. He agrees with someone in the comments that the foam is not very soft. I really thought the 9.5 was supposed to be softer and more comfortable. I personally love the 9.5, but maybe all try the Roger.
Click to expand...
tennistiger said:
I also played 9.5, Pro and Pro2. For me the 9.5 is definitive the most cushioned of the three! You simply can feel the softer foam of the 9.5.
Click to expand...
As I said the RPs are more unforgiving than the 9.5 due to harder foam. If you put one of them with same insoles on each foot you must feel the difference!
 
I’m genuinely surprised that Fed switched to the RP2 and not keep the RP1 silhouette/mold or even the outsole. If I could have it my way, RP1 mold and uppers with the RP2 outsole. The extra padded tongue on the RP1 is goated
 
David Le said:
RP1 mold and uppers with the RP2 outsole.
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Opposite for me, at least for clay courts.
The court feel from the RP1 outsole is impossible to beat.

Honestly, I'd settle for an entire RP1 with the shape like the RP2. Very subtle but different feeling

Where or what did you see that Fed switched to the RP2? He doesn't even play anymore, not challenging you, just curious.
 
Chairman3 said:
Opposite for me, at least for clay courts.
The court feel from the RP1 outsole is impossible to beat.

Honestly, I'd settle for an entire RP1 with the shape like the RP2. Very subtle but different feeling

Where or what did you see that Fed switched to the RP2? He doesn't even play anymore, not challenging you, just curious.
Click to expand...
Oh don’t get me wrong, the lower to the ground feel of the RP1 is great plus how the carbon fiber shank is placed is much better. I just like the durability of the RP2.

Laver Cup hitting session. You can tell by the shape/upper and the tongue itself. Not too sure about the outsole
 
David Le said:
Oh don’t get me wrong, the lower to the ground feel of the RP1 is great plus how the carbon fiber shank is placed is much better. I just like the durability of the RP2.

Laver Cup hitting session. You can tell by the shape/upper and the tongue itself. Not too sure about the outsole
Click to expand...
Just played in the 1 and it reaffirmed my love for them.
Granted, they're also more broke in than my RP2 but I think the RP2 upper is stiffer by design.

Agree on durability for hard courts.
Ah, Laver Cup
 
Chairman3 said:
Just played in the 1 and it reaffirmed my love for them.
Granted, they're also more broke in than my RP2 but I think the RP2 upper is stiffer by design.

Agree on durability for hard courts.
Ah, Laver Cup
Click to expand...
The RP2 looks definitely stiffer even in pictures. They redesigned it to make it more “aerodynamic” or sleek. I could be wrong but I’m sure the RP2 is lighter than the RP1 too.

Now granted if On made a shoe to compete with the likes of the Cage series from Nike with a 6-months warranty guarantee, I would probably be sold
 
The Clubhouse Pro is more comfortable and so nearer to the 9.5 than the RP. In general by taking a look at stability AND comfort the better choice.
 
Roger played an exo in Shanghai and spotted wearing the RP1 in a white with hints of lilac colorway
 
David Le said:
Roger played an exo in Shanghai and spotted wearing the RP1 in a white with hints of lilac colorway
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yeah i haven't seen Roger in the RP2, in all the promo for the RF stuff he was wearing RP1s, his recent sneaker shopping vid was all about RP1s also
 
aus89 said:
yeah i haven't seen Roger in the RP2, in all the promo for the RF stuff he was wearing RP1s, his recent sneaker shopping vid was all about RP1s also
Click to expand...
He has wore the RP2 during a clinic for kids in Shanghai as of late. I guess for matches he prefers the RP1?
 
I haven't bought them - I'd probably go with Lacoste for that much money - but the carbon fibre shank would be more of a drawcard than Fed for me.
 
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