Shoe Review: Nike Air Zoom Vapor 11

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Price: $160 (buy here)
Weight: 15.6 oz. (men’s 10.5); 13.1 oz. (women’s 8.5)
Size Run: 6-13, 14, 15 (men); 5-12 (women)

What’s New

For those well-versed in the continuity of Nike shoes, the Vapor 11 is intended to replace the Vapor React NXT. The shoe is designed to sit lower to the court than previous iterations for a quicker first step and improved explosiveness. The tongue now has a ½ inner sleeve or bootie construction for better comfort and ease of entry. The data-informed outsole design has had rubber removed in low wear areas to keep weight at a minimum, while allowing for optimal grip and sliding capabilities.

What Works

If you’re a Vapor fan, the 11 is one of the more supportive models in the family to date. It’s full of features that brace the shoe in and out of cuts, while offering a highly comfortable ride. And where previous generations could be less than stellar when it came to durability, this shoe feels quite sturdy and built to take a beating.

The length of the shoe runs true. I generally wear a size 12 in Nike athletic shoes and found the Vapor 11 no different. The cut is somewhat generous around the midfoot and toe box, but not to the point where a narrower foot would be swimming in it.

The half-bootie, forked tongue provides a unique entry point to the shoe. It splits at the base of the shin to allow for easy on and off. While not overly thick, there’s just enough padding in the right spots to allow for tight lacing without feeling any foot pain or pressure. Although never tested for it, the design is probably also beneficial for ankle brace and orthotics wearers.

Lots of plastic caging surrounds the mesh upper. This amps up the support, yet there’s enough open areas that it breathes well and doesn’t feel restrictive. The shoe flexes nicely in all directions without the need for an extended break-in.

Cushioning comes via a dense EVA heel, with Zoom Air underneath the forefoot. The combination is a little dense at first, eventually sinking down and cradling the foot after some use. It’s not a super bouncy platform, but does a standout job of absorbing court contact on harsh landings.

Stability in side to side movement is buoyed by the molded sidewall on the lateral side of the shoe that encapsulates the heel. It really shines when it’s time to pump the brakes and then take off in the opposite direction. There’s zero fear of rolling an ankle. The opposing side is raised higher by the ankle collar for added support when movement tests that part of the shoe.

The outsole has an almost chain link pattern that’s narrower toward the forefoot, with wider treads toward the heel. This is done with sliding on hard courts in mind while also maximizing longevity—glide through the forefoot into a hard heel stop. The rounded heel promotes a rocker motion for easier transition into the next stride. The outsole also rises up on the medial side by the toe box, a welcome feature for sliders and foot draggers.

What Needs Work

The shoe’s lacing system could use some refinement. The eyelets don’t offer easy sliding and it can be problematic to get a locked-in, secure fit around the heel and ankle, particularly so for people with narrower feet. The last couple of eyelets by the ankle of one side of the shoe are internal loops that do a much better job in this regard. However, it’s limited to just the one side. Also, the amount of eyelets on each side aren’t equal, which is an unusual construction.

Even though it’s a Vapor, the shoe seems more a descendent of the old Breathe Cage models. It’s hefty and solid, but also a little clunky. It feels like a lot of shoe underfoot, almost bottom-heavy, which can rob the user of court connection. And if you can’t achieve a locked-in fit, can lack the responsiveness—particularly moving up and back—found in other high-performance shoes. It seems more suited to provide durability and shock absorption rather than speedy footwork.

Final Verdict

Sturdy, stable and comfortable, there are plenty of reasons to like the Vapor 11. It’s not the quickest model in the storied franchise, but a worthy entry for those seeking a workhorse shoe.