NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor 11 Review

Are you a Nike tennis shoes fan? If you are then you would want to check out the Nikecourt Air Zoom Vapor 11. The purpose of this shoe is to provide you with support, cushioning, and stability.

The question is did Nike manage to tick these boxes? If so let’s dive into the different parts of the shoe by starting with the design.

Design

Right out of the box, the Nikecourt Air Zoom Vapor 11 looks amazing and cool. It seems it’s a combination of the Vapor Court X and the Vapor Cage 4. When you look closely at the design you would notice a line of TPU that goes around the shoe.

On top of that, you would notice the iconic Nike logo that blends perfectly with the TPU. This makes the shoe stands out from the rest. I would say Nike did a really good job with the design and cosmetics of the shoe.

Upper

The upper is made with a combination of TPU and traditional threads. The purpose of this is to give the shoe more strength and support when you are playing in them.

Moreover, there is another reinforced mesh layer underneath the upper for durability and extra support.

However, the gaps between the TPU lines may reduce the durability of the shoe.

The mesh material is going to make the shoe breathable to wear. This is great because moisture would be able to leave the shoe quickly whiles allowing fresh air into it.

Toe Box, Ankle Support, and Heel Area

The toe box is going to give you a nice fit without leaving extra spaces. However, it’s not the most durable toe box on the market and I wouldn’t recommend it for toe draggers.

The ankle area is going to hold your ankles really well and keep them stable when playing in them. This makes your movements on the court better and smooth.

On top of that, the heels are going to place them in the perfect position as you wear them. This would provide you with nice cushioning and support.

Insole and Midsole

Next up are the insole and midsole of the shoe. The insole is going to provide you with nice cushioning and support when playing in them. Also, the insole is removable which means you can replace them with your preferred choice.

The midsole comes with a full dense EVA with the Air Zoom unit in the forefoot. The purpose of this is to provide you with comfort and added spring to your step.

Moreover, the midsole has TPU chassis that goes around the lateral side of the shoe, and the heel counter provides you with some durability. However, it would put some weight on the midsole.

And lastly with the midsole is the plastic shank underneath the shoe. It has a little harder rubber with the Nike symbol which adds to the durability of the midsole and outsole.

Weight

The shoe comes with a weight of about 15.5 ounces with a size of 10.5. As you can tell by the look of it, it looks bulky and it’s not the lightest weight on the market.

If you are looking for a lightweight shoe then I wouldn’t recommend this shoe. If you are looking for the best lightweight tennis shoes then I would suggest that you read this article.

Lacing System and Tongue

There are a lot of criticisms regarding the lacing system. It’s not nicely built like the Air Zoom Vapor Pro which was built with an asymmetrical lacing system to provide you with a snug fit and support during lateral movements.

Although, the Vapor 11 comes with eyelets reinforcement and an internal lacing system around the ankle it still does not provide you with the solid grip you need. On top of that, they are not durable.

The tongue, on the other hand, is fairly good and would provide you with nice cushioning and comfort when you play in them.

Fit

The fit of the shoe is really good and would suit a lot of players’ feet. It’s great for players with narrow, medium, and wide feet. However, if you are someone who has a 4E foot I would recommend that you go up a 1/2 size. This way you get the right size that fits you perfectly.

Furthermore, this shoe suits players who are suffering from ankle sprains and have flat, high arches, neutral, and so on. However, it wouldn’t be suitable for players who have heel pain, tendinitis, shock injuries and etc.

The Nikecourt Air Zoom Vapor 11 does require a slight break-in period for your feet to get used to it. Therefore, be a little patient with yourself when you try it on for the first time.

Outsole

Another important part of the shoe to take a good look at is the outsole. When you look closely at it, it’s similar to a metal tank track. This tread pattern is exactly like the NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2. This outsole is specifically made for hardcourt surfaces. Also, it makes it easy and efficient to slide with them on the hard courts.

Moreover, with the way the tread pattern is shaped, it gives you a nice grip and stability when you stop unexpectedly on the court.

Also, it makes the transition much easier due to the posterior rocker at the bottom of the outsole.

And lastly, with the outsole, the use of the thicker tread in the high-wear zones does well to provide you with extreme durability and it’s going to keep you going for a long time.

Colour Options

In terms of colour options to choose from, both the men’s and women’s come in four different colours. This is great for players to select the preferred colours that suit their tennis outfits.

Price

Lastly is the price of the shoe. The Zoom Vapor 11 comes around the $160 price mark. This is at the high end of the price range and could be difficult for a lot of players to afford.

Although the price of the shoe may be expensive it brings amazing features such as stability and support to your game. If you are a player that still thinks that this shoe is expensive for your budget then you can buy less expensive shoes such as the Adidas Defiant Speed.

Final Thoughts!!

As the post comes to its conclusion, we can see that Nike did a really good job to build a solid shoe for support and stability.

However, both the upper durability and lacing structure need some improvements. Overall, it’s a nice update from Nike.