The Indian Maharadja
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In this article we will go over the technologies and explain what they entail, followed by our own findings regarding the new version of the Vapor Pro.
Technologies
In the introduction of its new tennis shoes, Nike names the following technologies as the most important improvements compared to the previous generation.
Hex forefoot Zoom Air unit
This technological addition has to do with improving the comfort of the Vapor Pro shoes. A Nike Air Zoom unit has been placed in the sole, at the place where the forefoot experiences the most impact during play. This extra cushioning ensures that the front becomes more flexible, which aids you in accelerating and offers sufficient freedom of movement of the forefoot.
HART™ Rubber Tip, Eyestay & Outsole
New HART™ rubber has been used to reinforce the toe box, eyelets and outsole, where the most wear occurred during heavy use of the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2. This improves the durability of the Vapor Pro 3.
Midfoot Fit Band
This band around the midfoot position allows you to tighten the laces tightly and securely for a secure, locked-in feel and improved stability. With your foot extra securely in place, you can better perform the essential quick lateral and direct direction changes that come with tennis.
New Lateral TPU
The material on the side of the sole has been renewed to perform extra well in terms of flexibility. Partly due to this new material, the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Pro 3 offers more grip during lateral movements, allowing you to maneuver out of any situation faster than ever.
Durable Mesh Upper
The upper of the shoe is made with breathable and comfortable, yet sturdy mesh material. The new Vapor Pro tennis shoes will provide the necessary ventilation and at the same time perform well in terms of comfort and stability, so that you remain optimally supported even during the longest matches.
Claybreaker Technology
The Claybreaker technology has been added to the shoes that are produced with a clay sole. Grip and durability are prioritized by this outsole, so that the shoes can be used effectively for a long time on clay, smash court, artificial grass and even padel courts.
Experience
First of all, I want to emphasize that the following review is based on personal experiences. That does not necessarily mean that the exact same will apply to you. Last season I played on the ASICS Resolution 9 in EU size 43 ½, in my opinion a top stability-oriented tennis shoe, with a relatively narrow fit. So keep that in mind while reading.
Amazingly Comfortable
While wearing the Vapor Pro 3 (EU 43), one of the first things I noticed was how amazingly comfortable the shoe is. I also found that the laces stayed tight, which is a big plus. Perhaps even more important is whether the shoe also meets the performance expectations. For example, stability is a top priority for me. I primarily pay attention to how well the shoe encloses my foot, both at the back and around the midfoot and forefoot. I noticed that the toe of the shoe slopes quite low. That's why I put on the Vapor Pro 2 again for comparison. In my experience, the front of the shoes has decreased in height by a fraction, which in my case results in a feeling of extra enclosure in the Vapor Pro 3. At the same time, this is a point of attention for people who need a lot of space at the top of the forefoot. For these people, this can cause the shoe to be too tight.
Midfoot Enclosure and Support
The toe of the shoe is slightly less pointed than I'm used to, which gave me more room to move around the side, at the front of my foot. On the one hand, this is nice, on the other hand, it felt like I couldn't push off and change direction as quickly. Around the midfoot, I was satisfied with the enclosure and support that the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Pro 3 offered me. I had the feeling that my feet couldn't slide too much during lateral or forward movements and at the same time they remained nice and comfortable while playing. However, the enclosure of the heel was just a little too subtle for me. This gave me (as I often do) the feeling that I would slip out of the back of the shoe too easily. In practice, this was not too bad, but I would still prefer a slightly more firmly enclosed heel.
Flexible Beyond Expectation
In terms of cushioning, the shoes perform well in my opinion. I have no complains about this. I was positively surprised by the flexibility of the outsole. Despite the fact that it consists of one piece and would therefore suggest that it does not bend much during play, the shoes felt just flexible enough for me.
Conclusion
All in all, I rate the new Nike Air Zoom Vapor Pro 3 as a top shoe in terms of comfort. The balance between flexibility and stability is also very good in my opinion. However, I did find that they did not fit optimally around my feet on the side of the forefoot and around the heel. The fit is therefore not ideal for me, but of course that has nothing to do with the quality of the shoes.
Are these shoes right for you?
The Nike Vapor Pro 3 is a tennis shoe that falls into the "Speed" category — read more about the various shoe types. Due to the flexibility of the Vapor Pro 3, these shoes might not provide sufficient support for players in need of maximum stability.