Summary
Nike's most durable, supportive and stable tennis shoe gets updated for 2020. The Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4 is built for the game's most aggressive movers. Whether you like to slide into and out of shots or prefer more grip 'n go, the Vapor Cage 4s are happy to comply. These shoes come complete with a Zoom Air unit underfoot and a unique lacing system for maximum support, along with a beefed-up outsole for loads of durability. Our playtester, Michelle, took the Vapor Cage 4s to the courts for several weeks and found them impressive in every category.

Comfort (cushioning, ventilation, arch support, fit):
As a big fan of the Cage 3s, Michelle was excited to playtest the Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4s. Instantly impressed with the updated design and cosmetics of these Nikes, she soon discovered there was also a lot to like about their performance. "I love feeling locked in and secure when it comes to my footwear," she said, "and that's exactly how I felt lacing these up the first time. The cushioning underfoot felt responsive and comfortable, while the neoprene-like bootie upper was supportive and soft. Shoes like these often need a break-in, but I was able to lace up and put the Vapor Cage 4s to the test right out of the box. The curved outsole helped me feel on my toes and ready to move, but it took a little time to get used to when not playing. Arch support was solid as well; I have a higher arch, and these shoes felt like they were built for my feet. I never had any weird rubbing or pain through the playtest. I remember noting some toe-jamming in the previous version, and I never had that issue with this update. If I had to find a point to critique here, it would be that these aren't the most breathable shoes."

Foot Support/ Stability:
Michelle usually prefers shoes that are on the supportive and stable side, and the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4s fit the bill. She described, "I felt completely locked in and confident moving aggressively in these shoes. The booties held my feet, and I could lace them up for an even more secure feel. I was able to hit my mark and recover quickly, and I never felt my feet rolling around inside the shoes. I also loved how stable these Vapor Cage 4s are; I think they'll be great for players who look for more substance from their shoes, rather than something light that might not have enough support."

Durability (sole and toe durability):
After wearing the Vapor Cage 4s on court for weeks, Michelle was impressed with how durable her pair was. She said, "I love how Nike engineered these shoes to cater to aggressive sliders, with durability pieces that creep up the medial side. I wore these a bunch for the playtest and beyond, and the shoes held up well. I'm seeing wear, but nothing detrimental, and the traction is remaining strong. These are definitely the most durable shoes I've tried from Nike, and I would easily recommend them to players who spend hours a day training."

Traction:
Not a hard court slider, Michelle found a great blend of traction in the Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4's outsole, which kept her moving confidently on the court. She explained, "I was concerned that the outsole would be a bit too slippery for my tastes since these Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4s are sort of made for movers like Rafa. Luckily, I found good grab on the court — nothing that made me feel stuck, but enough to keep the shoes from slipping out from under me when I was pulled out wide and had to recover quickly. Also, as I mentioned above, I'm really happy with the consistency of the traction from this outsole."

Weight:
Michelle was pleased with how quick the Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4s felt despite being heavier than the previous version and the Zoom Zero. "I never felt slow or weighed down in these shoes," she said. "And if the added support comes with a little more weight, I will gladly take it. I always felt like I was on my toes and ready to take off when I was wearing these Vapor Cage 4s. These shoes are obviously not in the lightweight shoe category, but that didn't cause me to dock any points from this playtest."

What did you like about this shoe?
Michelle - "Stable, comfortable, supportive and durable, and the cosmetics look great!"

What did you dislike about this shoe?
Michelle - "No complaints from me."

Compare
Michelle - "These Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4s would go head to head against the Asics Court FF 2s. They have a similar feel and vibe, as well as great support and stability. They don't feel as heavy as what the scale says, they keep you feeling quick and on your toes, and both have awesome cosmetics."