Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour
Nike innovation and design legend Tinker Hatfield has partnered with tennis star Roger Federer to
Nike innovation and design legend Tinker Hatfield has partnered with tennis star Roger Federer to change the future of footwear design for the court. The challenge: How to combine the lightweight, breathable comfort of a running shoe with the strength necessary to withstand the aggressive, lateral, stop-and-start forces that serious tennis players create? The answer is the Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour, a unique package that’s different than any other tennis shoe out there. It’s designed more like a running shoe, but with the incredible strength and lockdown fit needed for the demands of tennis. An innovative fit system uses “fingers” on the outside and a loop system on the inside. When the laces get cinched tight, the fingers mold to the shape of the individual foot, resulting in a customized fit that continues to adapt as the foot moves during a match. Wrapping the laces all the way to the bottom of the arch further enhances the glove-like feel and a synthetic leather quarter panel overlay adds to the firm fit. Below, Hatfield and Federer discuss the design and inspiration behind the Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour.