Nike Vapor 12 (FV5552) review

Full review

Nike's Vapor has long been the shoe of choice for players who want a low, tight-fitting shoe that moves with the foot. The Vapor 12 keeps that character with a full midfoot fit band that tightens as you lace up and a heel Air Zoom unit that Nike says keeps landings springy.

Nike has trimmed weight by using a lighter mesh and a new, lighter rubber compound, and by removing rubber from the midfoot and replacing it with a firm plastic plate. Nike does not publish a weight or drop, so we cannot give a number, but the changes are aimed squarely at making the shoe quicker than the Vapor 11.

The herringbone outsole suits players who like to slide into wide balls on hard courts. If you want maximum bite, the ASICS Solution Speed FF 4 is the shoe to compare it with.

The main point is fit. Nike describes the Vapor as snug, and the forefoot is cut narrow, so some buyers find it tighter than other Nike shoes. If you have wide feet, look elsewhere. If your feet are slim and you have struggled with shoes feeling sloppy, the Vapor 12 is one of the best-fitting options. Nike also sells a separate Zoom Vapor 12 clay-court version.