The Nike Vapor 12 Review & Lab Test: Shop Men’S & Women’S Models of 2026

The Nike Vapor 12 is a premium tennis shoe designed for serious players seeking stability and secure lockdown. Ideal for those who prioritize maneuverability on the court, this shoe delivers notable performance for fast-paced gliding. The lab results indicate that while it may not be the lightest option, its construction provides a balanced court feel that translates effectively into real-world play.


Pros

  • Balanced cushioning and court feel
  • Excellent lateral stability and support
  • Firm and planted platform
  • The ride feels dynamic
  • Fantastic durability
  • Ergonomic one-to-one fit
  • Great for sliding and pivoting
  • Lighter than the Vapor 11

Cons

  • Not for wide feet
  • Not the stickiest traction
  • Still heavier than average
  • Lacks breathability

Key Features

  • Style#: FV5554-100
  • A heel Air Zoom unit provides support and a springy feel throughout your gameplay.
  • The full midfoot fit band allows you to tighten the laces for an enhanced fit, enabling quicker lateral movements.
  • The newly added midsole foam offers lightweight padding, improving agility compared to previous models like the Vapor 11.
  • Engineered mesh maintains durability in high-wear areas while reducing overall weight for improved performance.

Specifications

  • Origin: Imported
  • Sole material: Rubber
  • Outer material: Engineered mesh and rubber outsole
  • Closure type: Lace-Up

Nike Vapor 12 Review & Lab Test: Shop Men’S & Women’S Models – Price, Ratings, Reviews & Sales Insights

Nike Vapor 12 On The ROGER Pro 2 ASICS Court FF 3 NikeCourt Vapor Pro 2
Price $180 $200 $170 $130
Shoe type Hard Court Hard Court Hard Court Hard Court
Construction Speed Speed Stability Speed
Breathability Moderate Breathable Moderate Breathable
Weight lab 13.8 oz / 390g 14.4 oz / 407g 14.3 oz / 406g 13.4 oz / 381g
Drop lab 9.9 mm 9.1 mm 10.4 mm 10.1 mm
Width / fit Narrow Medium Medium Medium
Toebox width Medium Medium Narrow Medium
Size True to size Slightly small True to size True to size
Midsole softness Balanced Firm Firm Balanced
Stiffness Moderate Stiff Stiff Moderate
Torsional rigidity Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff
Heel counter stiffness Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate
Midsole width - forefoot Narrow Wide Wide Narrow
Midsole width - heel Average Average Average Average
Outsole durability Good Decent Good Good
Heel padding durability Decent Decent Bad Decent
Collaboration - Roger Federer Novak Djokovic -
Heel stack lab 29.5 mm 29.2 mm 32.2 mm 28.9 mm
Forefoot 19.6 mm 20.1 mm 21.8 mm 18.8 mm
Insole thickness Average Average Average Average
Removable insole
Heel tab None None None None
Toebox durability Good Bad Good Decent
Outsole hardness - Average Average Average
Outsole thickness Thick Average Thin Thick
Ranking Bottom 38% Bottom 7% Bottom 48% Top 24%
Popularity Top 29% Bottom 41% Top 6% Bottom 15%