Nike Unveils Roger Federer's Air Zoom Vapor X

After closing things on a high note with a special “atmos Elephant” collaboration, tennis icon Roger Federer and Nike are moving on from the Tinker Hatfield-designed Zoom Vapor Tour 9 and 9.5 in favor of a brand new silhouette: the NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor X. More of an evolution than a stark redesign, the new kicks opt for many of the tech and aesthetic cues of their predecessor, echoing the lines of the 9 while employing the same Zoom cushioning and Dynamic Fit system. Here, however, engineered mesh has been added to the mix to cut down on break-in time while a larger and more aggressive foot frame enhances containment. Traction gets an upgrade, too, as Nike Sports Research Lab studies inform the different densities used throughout the outsole.

“The Vapor 9 was a great shoe from the beginning. Tinker Hatfield did a great job of understanding exactly what I was looking for: a combination of a tennis shoe and a jogging shoe,” says Federer. “The Vapor X is lighter than the 9 and 9.5. It is an evolution, the next generation.”

The NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor X will debut on December 23 at nike.com and select retailers in a classic “Bred” color scheme while the Swoosh says, in teasing fashion, “and, just like with earlier models, don’t be surprised if any special editions pop up.”