7 Best Nike Tennis Shoes
Many people consider Nike to have the best tennis shoes on the market right now. They have been at the forefront of cutting edge technology for several years, and they have some of the biggest names as endorsers.
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are just three major names with Nike right now. Roger Federer, while not officially with Nike any longer, is still a huge fan of their shoes as well. They are more than just a marketing company though, providing several shoe choices to fit any type of player.
With several different options available from the company, it might be hard to find just the right fit. Some people struggle to do shoe shopping online, but with a little bit of knowledge, a person can understand what exactly is available, and which they should try. Below are the 7 best Nike tennis shoes available right now.
1. Nike Air Zoom Vapor X
The Nike Air Zoom Vapor X is not only rated as the No.1 option from Nike, but as the overall best tennis shoe right now. While it’s a very popular shoe among recreational players, it’s by far the most popular tennis shoe among pro players.
It’s known for being the shoe of choice for world class players like Roger Federer, Daniil Medvedev and Grigor Dimitrov. And… you can add me to that list as well. What I love about the Vapor X mainly comes down to comfort and overall responsiveness.
It’s not on paper, a lightweight shoe, but it definitely feels like that on court. While that’s the case, you still feel the support and stability needed to stay injury free. Apart from that, there is no denying that the Vapor X is one of the cleanest looking tennis shoes available right now (at least if you ask me).
I’ve tried over 100 different tennis shoes during my career and the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X have always been my No.1 pick. It got the perfect combination of support and comfort in a very lightweight package, what more could you ask for? Try it out at least once and I would be surprised if you didn’t end up buying a pair. You can read our full review in this post.
Pros
- Comfort
- Support & Stability
Cons
- Sold out in most stores
2. Nike Air Zoom Cage 4
The hype from the previous Nike Air Zoom Cage models continues with the release of the Cage 4. Thanks to Rafael Nadal wearing these shoes on the tennis court, have made them one of the most popular shoes at the recreational level.
It’s one of the most technology advanced tennis shoes available, but, It provides great support and stability in a very lightweight package. There is definitely a break-in period before getting used to the Cage 4, but after using it for a couple of hours, they will feel just as comfortable as any other shoe.
If you are looking for a tennis shoe with the great stability and support, the Cage 4 may be for you. I personally prefer the Vapor X, but if I had play with something else, It would be the Nike Air Zoom Cage 4.
Pros
- Stability & Comfort
- Lightweight
Cons
- Durability
3. Nike Air Zoom Zero
This shoe made its first appearance in the lineup in the middle of last year and has turned into a pretty big favorite overall. Innovations such as full-length Zoom Air, a curved outsole and a glove-like fit make this shoe worth checking out.
Zoom Air across the entire foot is something that a lot of players will appreciate. It provides great cushioning, and helps people feel comfortable moving around the court. Maneuverability is pretty high, and the feet never feel fatigued after hours of play. In many ways, it feels like some of the running shoes available through Nike, with the full Zoom Air providing a great, comfortable ride.
All in all, this option complements the other two above very well. It’s different enough that the majority of players will have one they truly enjoy. This currently sits at third right now, but still might be the perfect solution for some. Even though they retail for the same price as the Nike Air Zoom Cage 4, they are pretty commonly available at a cheaper discount past season.
Pros
- Curved outsole encourages crisp forward movement
- Added toe protection
- Full-length Zoom makes for a comfortable ride
Cons
- Upper feels a little cheap
- Lacks durability
4. Nike Air Zoom Prestige
If the shoe looks familiar, it’s because it is an old Nike Vapor going by an old name. Many players fell in love with the Nike vapor 9 and Nike Vapor 9.5, but the Nike Air Zoom Vapor 10 changed its design a little too much.
While some people have fallen in love with the new model, there are still others who constantly search for old shoes on the secondary market. Instead of having to go through all of that, The Nike Air Zoom Prestige is the way to go.
The shoe looks and feels like tennis shoes so many people fell in love with. While it might not have the technology packed into the shoe like the three that made the list above, it’s still a performance model that club players and even professionals rely on.
Zoom Air in the heel is very great for cushioning, and the dynamic fit system allows a player to get the perfect fit on their foot. The shoes are as durable as some people would like, but the vapor line is never been about durability that much anyway.
The midsole isn’t the best, as it’s a TPU Shank with Phylon. It’s light and pretty responsive, but not exactly high-quality. Still, it has turned into a pretty nice alternative for those running low on their supply of Nike Air Zoom Vapor 9s.
Pros
- Does a great imitation of the popular Nike Vapor 9 and 9.5
- Affordable
- Comes in many classic colors
Cons
- Nike took some technology shortcuts to lower the price
- Take some time to break-in on court
5. Nike Air Max Wildcard
The Nike Air Max Wildcard starts a different type of tennis shoes from Nike. In reality, this list should probably be split into two parts, as the shoes above are for performance, and the ones below are more for casual play and those starting in tennis for the first time. They aren’t bad shoes, but they lack the same amount of technology that a lot of high-level players need when moving around so much on the court.
As soon as a person picks up the shoe, they realize that it has a Max Air unit under the heel. Combined with Lunarlon foam, this shoe has a great midsole for the price.
The upper is made up entirely of one piece, which helps to keep everything together and gives users a very comfortable fit every time. It might take some adjustments to the lacing to get it just right, but most figure out a way.
Another limitation of this shoe is that they only offer a few very basic colors. It’s something that a lot of people will need to get used to since it seems to be the plan of Nike to only release a few colors in total of the shoe overall to have available at all times.
Pros
- Best affordable option for club players
- Air in the heel provides great comfort
- One-piece upper reduces bulk
Cons
- Width is too narrow for some players
- Outsole wears out too quickly
6. Nike Court Lite 2
For a casual club player, it doesn’t get more basic than this. The Nike Court Lite 2 serves its purpose as a very affordable shoe for players to slip on and have support while learning the game. They shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than that, as they don’t provide the same type of support that many players who take the game seriously need.
First, let’s take a look at what they do right. It feels very lightweight on the foot, even though it does weigh 15 ounces. It has a throwback kind of look with classic colors, so that’s always a positive for some people. The upper is made of synthetic leather, which some people prefer compared to the pure mesh or fabric upper.
However, people should be aware that the cushioning is subpar, and the outside is not very durable at all. It’s pretty clear that Nike can cut costs in these two areas. Those who buy this shoe know that it is what it is, so they should not complain too much. For a shoe that retails for only $65, it shouldn’t be expected to be anything too crazy.
Pros
- Cheap
- Comfort
Cons
- Durability
- Support
7. Nike Air Zoom Vapor X Knit
For a different version of the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X, the Knit is something that many players have tried out since its released. The biggest difference is in the upper, as the knit provides extra comfort that many people love. Another addition is a sock liner that makes for a very comfortable, locked-in fit.
For additional durability, a person will also notice a little bit more protection at the end of the foot. This is great news for anyone who drags their foot when they serve, as it keeps the toe looking in good shape just a little bit longer.
So why doesn’t this shoe take the top billing? The improvements are nice, but it still seems a little bit more expensive than it should be for a tennis shoe. The Vapor X does a fine job with the material they use, and only a select few are going to notice a true difference.
Pros
- Very comfortable knit upper
- Added toe protection
- Improved sock liner
Cons
- Not worth the extra money for most players
- Fit is a bit unique compared to the standard Vapor X
Making The Final Decision
While all the shoes listed above are great options, there are 1 that stands out from the rest. It’s the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X.
I’ve used the Vapor X for several years now and they are by far the best shoes I’ve played with. It’s not only the best shoe performance wise, but also in overall design. There is a reason why pretty much every other player on the ATP Tour uses the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X.
Try the Vapor X at least once and I would be surprised if you didn’t end up buying a pair. If you for some reason wouldn’t like the Vapor X, I would go with the Cage 4. It’s slightly heavier than the Vapor X, but at the same time, more stable and supportive.
What Tennis Shoes we recommend from other Brands:
- New Balance Tennis Shoes
- Wilson Tennis Shoes
- Adidas Tennis Shoes
- Asics Tennis Shoes
- Yonex Tennis Shoes
- Prince Tennis Shoes
- Babolat Tennis Shoes
