Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4 VS Zoom Cage 3 - Why is Rafa Still Playing With The (Modified) 3’s?

[@FootDoctorZach]

Check out my favorite shoes for all foot types and game styles HERE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYOUaWeHlpd0mtE

[@SatyaW]

Best tennis shoe review channel by far! And thx for taking on this topic. Im always intrigued, or rather peeved, by how rafa always go backwards after trying on nikes latest models that he supposedly be endorsing.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks! Haha yeah it’s interesting what he goes to- and if he’s playing with a different shoe they should just sell it- people would buy it

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Science aside, looks are important for me, the Cage 3 are beautiful, and the Cage 4 aren´t, IMHO.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Agreed 100%

[@arifafifuddin6802]

Totally, i was sitting on the fence on Cage 4. I just bought a pair of cage 3. It just looks so much better

[@FootDoctorZach]

Look good feel good play good

[@ElMaTaWaRa17]

I loved your channel, I practice frontenis and I use this kind of shoes and your are helping me to make the best choice for my next tennis shoes. Greetings from México!

[@FootDoctorZach]

Awesome thanks! Glad you are getting something good out of the videos

[@ssenssel]

I don't know what took KZbin's stupid algorithm to suggest me this channel since I click everything tennis related, but I'm glad it finally did. Great stuff! Cheers from Brazil.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Glad you found us!

[@lucahoffmann7259]

Nike zoom cage 3 is the most durable in my experience and best feeling. It took me around a month and a half to put a hole and use the warranty. Huge fan of the 3. Wish they would bring it back😭

[@FootDoctorZach]

I think at some point they will in some capacity

[@denniskwok7613]

And the real best thing about the Cage 3, is that you can pick them up quite cheap as they're discontinued. I've just picked up another two pairs at half price to go with my current ones.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yeah for sure scoop them up while you can- but like with anything something similar to them will come out again- it all goes in cycles

[@troyseth8527]

Great vid. Got some nueroma or Metatarsalgia going on at the front of my foot as well as flat feet. Picked up an extra pair of solecourt boosts cause they seem to be phasing them out quickly. Also have a pair of cage 3’s. Both feel good. I sometimes use a metatarsal pad to help out. Adding any over the counter or prescribed orthotic cause too much toe bounce. Really enjoy all of your content. Feet are more important than we realize after we wind up with pain. Keep up the great vids.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks! You seem to be getting pretty good at treating your feet- hopefully 2021 brings us some more good options

[@troyseth8527]

@@FootDoctorZach the 40’s hit like a ton of bricks. Bad lower back and right foot has me at physio more than anywhere else. Great to find a content creator that deals with more than fashion and colors. Lol.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Ha- and some people tell me to focus more on that- but that stuff never really gave me a lot of excitement- prob the foot doctor in me

[@troyseth8527]

@@FootDoctorZach before your videos on the solecourt boost and the cages - there is no info anywhere to find. You and Rose anvil need to get together. Showing what’s really in there!

[@troyseth8527]

@@FootDoctorZach I also couldn’t find Rafas shoes from last year at all. Found out he wears his shoes super tight.

[@kuruptgt]

Love your videos. What's the difference between basketball sneakers vs tennis shoes? I feel like the kyrie Irving sneakers would work well on tennis hard courts. Thoughts?

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks! Yep they’d work find they are just big and clunky and the outsole is not made for the wear and tear of a tennis court side to side movement but when the tread is new they’d be great

[@kuruptgt]

@@FootDoctorZach thank you so much for the reply.

[@FootDoctorZach]

🤙

[@michaelp9061]

This is great content. Many ppl don’t know the benefit of the 3 s Nadal actually wear.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks! Yeah I find it fascinating the preferences and why

[@edgargarcia3354]

Superb vid Doc! I tried the 4 and the cushioning in the forefoot feel great and the 3 feel exactly like you said low to the ground, I just tried them on, didn't play test them.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thank you! Let me know how you like them once you do

[@sherifhassan9791]

Nice Review Doc. as always so I have the Cage 4 and I feel that side pressure u mentioned when I tie em so they won't slip bec. of that stupid useless lacing sys. So now I was thinking of punching another couple eyelets up there to secure heel more ...what do you think and would that help? also when a shoe is lower to the ground doesn't that help in responsiveness and explosiveness when moving aggressively since with cage 4 I feel I move first inside the shoe then outside the shoe somehow ? as always keep up the great work and knowledge share.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks! I wouldn’t poke holes if I were you as it probably won’t do anything and yes that’s exactly right lower to the ground usually equals a better feel for your first step

[@LiamApilado]

1:31 look how well those shorts fit him

[@pipelines85]

I was eager to find this comparison!! I had the c3 and it felt the perfect shoe for me, even though I have flat feet. I like to “fight back” the flatness by using snug shoes. When Fe c4 came I was disappointed with the desing but when I took a closer look at them, just felt uncomfortable just by looking at them. Had to try zoom x and I’m worried by the lack of support

[@FootDoctorZach]

The X is a very flexible shoe so a lot of people don’t like that they like the “cage” feeling of the cage 3’s or court ff2’s so you at want to try the court ff2 which plays similar to the cage 3’s

[@pipelines85]

@@FootDoctorZach Thanks for the tip!!

[@FootDoctorZach]

🤙

[@ace_ontaeg]

Fun fact: he also wore the zoom cage mold during the AO

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yep! I actually ran across one day he played in the 4’s when researching the video- kinda made my head turn

[@ZakhibachiR]

@@FootDoctorZach what match did he play with the 4s

[@FootDoctorZach]

I’ll have to look again i think Rome but don’t quote me on that- I’ll look it up when I get a chance

[@reb349]

@@ZakhibachiR pretty sure he played the 4s during the ATP Cup

[@channin19]

Can you recommend anything similar to the Cage 3? Can't find them anymore in my size. Favorite shoe ever!

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yonex eclipsion 3 I would say is the closest right now

[@trends_id702]

hi doc, great video as always! wanted to ask, I recently purchased nike zoom cage 3 with clay soles, what's your opinion on using the particular shoes on hard court? any potential downsides that I should expect? thanks in advance doc!

[@FootDoctorZach]

Faster wear and not a lot of give

[@snowy6753]

Thanks for the useful info. When recommending older shoes, are you concerned about the glue and other materials of the older shoes wearing out more quickly than current models?

[@FootDoctorZach]

Good question- I had this happen on an old pair of Wilson’s from the 80’s but I would say anything recent from the past few years shouldn’t have a big problem - that would be something interesting to ask an engineer though- I’ll see if I can get a more concrete answer

[@snowy6753]

@@FootDoctorZach Great thanks!

[@FootDoctorZach]

👍

[@jaysean9589]

Love this video. Please, could you recommend me a shoe? I'm looking for a warranty shoe that's a worthy alternative to the cage 3. Tried the 996v4 or whatever (new balance) but they are so harsh on the ground.

[@FootDoctorZach]

I think the best alternative to the cage 3 is the yonex eclipsion 3, just about the same fit profile and great tread durability

[@chrispageau6375]

Holy smokes this is a great review. Detailed and insightful!

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks! Glad you liked it - I loved the 3’s - just wish they were a bit wider

[@chrispageau6375]

@@FootDoctorZach Can you do a review on Wilson tennis shoes? I've been using them for years but wondering if there are better options. Would like an objective opinion like yours on this topic.

[@FootDoctorZach]

I’ve done a few in the last few months- most are just ok- nothing overly special- when I find out what the 2021 line is I’ll do more

[@chrispageau6375]

@@FootDoctorZach Thanks. What do you think the top 3 shoes are... I'd like to try those for fit.

[@FootDoctorZach]

That really depends on your foot type and game style but my favorites are the GP turbo solecourt boost and court ff 2

[@Highwaymen2]

If you've got wide feet like me you can't get into the Zoom Cage 3 and Vapor Cage 4 as you can't separate the tongue from the sides. By far the best (and best looking) was the Court Ballistic 4.3 which Nadal continued to use for ages after the model had changed (until his stock had worn out). The Cage 3 still looks good but the Vapor Cage 4 does not. Even if Nadal liked the performance of the shoe he has his image to think about. Nike has a cheek using the term 'Rafa' when he doesn't wear them. They might be useful as safety shoes bearing in mind how heavy and thick they are.

[@TheDrakulie]

Great review. There is no way to tell if Rafa's cage 3 has same cushioning system as the stock version but can you ask Nike if his shoes is exactly same as stock cage 3 other than those few observations you made from the pictures? Thank you

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks! I did actually- no response haha

[@TheDrakulie]

@@FootDoctorZach i do wonder if rafa has air max units hidden in there cause he's always loved that cushion system from nike

[@FootDoctorZach]

There could be but that would be hard to hide

[@sebastiancastellanos6165]

Great video as always! But I think cage 3 with some use starts to get loose on the sides and gets unstable also is difficult to find the right size. Always wore 10 in CB, Breathe Cage's but this was tight, really tight never had that problem with nike but was painful half size bigger and went well (Just like the vapor knit but not enought cushioning). I like the 4's because of that CB vibe that I missed with the terrible LunarBallistec and the Cage's 3 I agree there is a lot of unnecesary protection in the front and needs the two air pieces like the Turbos, but feels responsive and stable (Also better on the joints than the 3) I don't like the feel on the arch most of nike's new shoes had, that issue of the really low arch compared to the CB 9r the vapor 9. Hopefully the next cage will revisit the CB 4.3 since I think now will still be a relevant shoe with air max and lunarlon in the front, kind regards

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yeah I agree and I think Nike fit is the most all over the place of the bigger shoe brands - I’m hoping the next generation of cages just takes some weight out and gets more to the theme of them which is a shoe for more durable movement

[@RicardojdVeiga]

Very Good Review! My Cage 4, I already gave my opinion, they are beautiful, bright colors, design, very radical. Run away from them. Sole quality is good, but the rest is not! They're going to tear up fast!

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks 🤙

[@tejaamathi3039]

I've played with both shoues and the cage 4 does not even compare to the cage 3. The 4 is way too stiff and heavier. Whereas the 3 was more breathable and honestly I forget that I'm even wearing a shoue when I wear the 3s. When it comes too the 4 I have to constantly adjust my foot because it cramps like crazy. My foot cramped with the 3s but after a few second of play and I was good to go, the 4s constantly make my foot cramp and I feel so heavy and conscious of the shoue. Everyone has their own playing style and preference but I believe that the 3s are the best shoues ever made and the 4s are by far not as good as people say they are. That's just my opinion.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yeah I agree the cage 3’s are near perfect for the movement of tennis and the 4’s are just kind of a heavy mess

[@mlee9049]

Hi, for someone who jumps a lot during swings. What tennis shoe would you recommend? I'm having no luck finding tennis shoes with decent cushioning in the forefoot ( where I tend to land). Any advice would be greatly appreciated :-)

[@FootDoctorZach]

I’d go with Nike GP Turbo, they have the most forefoot cushioning of any shoe by far

[@mlee9049]

@@FootDoctorZach Hi, I tried those but I think they didn't work out because I have narrow feet and a slender frame (quick/agile player). I found them clunky. Based on this, is there a runner up that you would recommend? Thank you.

[@FootDoctorZach]

I’d go with yonex eclipsion 3

[@mlee9049]

@@FootDoctorZach Thank you :-)

[@FootDoctorZach]

👍

[@BigOnGolf]

Excellent review again. 3 not only perform better they look much nicer than the 4s which look like some kind of wooden dutch clog painted up

[@FootDoctorZach]

Haha thanks!

[@uzissidehoe]

Do you prefer the cage 3s over the Uber sonic 2s?

[@FootDoctorZach]

That’s a great question- for a wide foot no for a medium to narrow yes

[@srinivasan-cv6gl]

How would you compare yonex eclipsion 3 with Adidas solematch bounce, which one is having better safety and playability?

[@FootDoctorZach]

Eclipsion 3 would be my pick

[@koopatroopa6306]

I cannot find the cage 3s in my size so what is the best alternative for them today?

[@uh1mike698]

I hope you can find one of Nadal's shoes from 2015 to 2017. The one that looks like a Lunar Ballistec but in reality a modified Court Ballistec 4.3. Everyone is curious about the cushioning in that shoe.

[@FootDoctorZach]

So hard to get a hold of

[@michaelespinosa9168]

Was lucky to find a like new pair of court ballistec 4.3’s which were a superior shoe that Rafa wore for years starting so 2012

[@FootDoctorZach]

That’s a great find 💎

[@michaelespinosa9168]

@@FootDoctorZach They're really great shoes and Rafa seemed to love them too

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yep

[@kathywrisley6771]

I am so glad you did this test I really hated the fours, I wore the tread flat in two weeks and I went for a hard lateral movement and the upper ripped off the midsole

[@FootDoctorZach]

I’ve actually heard of that exact same thing happening to a few people

[@kathywrisley6771]

Yeah they are dangerous, I have been wearing the 3s for a year now and they don’t have a mark hardly on the outsole also the curium upper stretch to fit your foot better over time

[@FootDoctorZach]

👍

[@apotra20xx]

I have the cage 4. Due to the circumstances I couldn't test them yet so basically never wore them outside yet. I do have the clay version so the outsole threads are probably identical to any other clay shoe out there. I will have to wait and see how much the weight of the shoe will impact my movement though. You really think that it's so bad as you describe it in the video ? You make it sound like it's the slowest tennis shoe ever

[@FootDoctorZach]

They aren’t the worst thing ever but they are pretty clunky - at least for me - some people really like them though

[@apotra20xx]

@@FootDoctorZach well it should replace next year my old Babolat Propulse 3 model, which is, what, like a 12 year old model ? Not sure if you've ever done a review on those to have a look but I do hope that the Nike can't be worse than those lol

[@FootDoctorZach]

I’ve never reviewed them but I had a pair a while ago- I didn’t mind them but I didn’t love the treads

[@HT__00]

Super job!!

[@FootDoctorZach]

Thanks 👍

[@samearley4152]

I struggled using the threes as it felt like my foot was being constricted and couldn’t breathe, should I try the fours or should I just not waste my money on them?

[@FootDoctorZach]

I personally wouldn’t bother with them but they are a tad wider than the 3’s

[@samearley4152]

Ok thanks

[@samearley4152]

What nike shoe would u recommend for a wider foot?

[@FootDoctorZach]

That’s a tough one as Nike doesn’t really make wider shoes but the vapors are their widest and the GP turbos expand decently if you go up 1/2 size

[@samearley4152]

Thanks doc, Just watched your video on on the zoom vapour pros that are soon going to be coming out, do you think they will be a good fit or not

[@sfcoxdc1980]

Having a problem with irritation on the sole of my foot on the ball of my foot where the foam of the insole is compressed after playing for a while. Once the foam of the insole is compressed due to transition of heel strike into toe off, the "zoom air bubble" becomes an irritant. I know in a video, you actually cut into it. Is it possible to use a knife or needle to reduce the effect of the forefoot zoom air feature so that it would feel flat??? This is in the 4's.

[@FootDoctorZach]

I honestly wouldn’t if it were me, probably just go with another shoe- that doesn’t seem like normal wear

[@sfcoxdc1980]

Thank you for replying. Part of it is due to my leg length inequality changing mechanics and the use of a heel lift. This increases the downward pressure through the foam insole. It seems to be over the area that the bubble feature is in the shoe. Based on your cutting into the shoes...... 1. Is it possible to alter that bubble with a knife or sharp point?? 2. If so, and the bubble feature is reducible(👈the desired outcome), would it reduce and be more flat or leave a depression??

[@rastkosuknjaja9274]

Is it still possible to get 3s somewhere?

[@FootDoctorZach]

I just got a pair on eBay actually

[@AMOROLD]

Rafa is basically playing with a restyled courtballistec since 2014. I just don’t understand why Nike can’t make the same style his wearing. The courtballistec was an amazing shoe.

[@chandimagoonetilleke6822]

Where do you recommend to get shoes?

[@FootDoctorZach]

That’s really up to your area and if there are physical stores available or if you buy online- I usually use eBay / Amazon / or ” local” online retailers - in my opinion it doesn’t matter as long as they have a good price

[@nero4258]

Nike air zoom cage 3 vs vapor x Wimbledon edition. Pls

[@FootDoctorZach]

👍

[@nero4258]

Thank you

[@julym4468]

What are the differences between the cage 3 and the yonex eclipse 3?? I have a high arch, kinda wide foot and my heel tends to hurt easily btw

[@FootDoctorZach]

Similar shoes, both narrow and probably won’t be good for a wider foot

[@julym4468]

@@FootDoctorZach okok got you, would a pair of Adidas solematch bounce be a better option then? Im getting back into playing tennis this upcoming month :)

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yeah, or courtjam bounce, cheaper, just as good IMO

[@jordangeorgiev1452]

I personally hated the zoom 3 as I was getting way to many blisters and hurting my ankle definitely not for me

[@SaqibSheikh]

Cage 3 one of the best looking

[@PoserBallin]

They almost look like a pair Kobes. Real timeless look.

[@julianangelogarcia]

Would love the Cage 3s but I’ve got a wide foot 😪

[@FootDoctorZach]

Oh yeah they’ll tear you up for sure

[@julianangelogarcia]

Especially on the bunion area. The Cage 4s have been the best feeling shoe for my foot despite being a bit long (I’m usually a 9.5 with other brands but I’m a 10.5 with Nike because they’ve got somewhat narrower shoes and the 10.5 provides the perfect width)

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yeah that’s interesting since I’ve played with the cages also in a 1/2 size up and found that to really fit my forefoot nice- like you said long and I found them a bit clunky to actually run around in but just pure fit 1/2 size up for me was really nice

[@julianangelogarcia]

The regular Vapor X’s also fit very well but there’s a small part that rubs the bunion area (though not as bad as the Lunar Ballistecs) and since they’re speed oriented shoes, they get worn out easily and it’s difficult to replace them as Nike doesn’t sell tennis shoes here in the Philippines.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yeah that’s always an issue - what shoes are most common there that are sold?

[@brianapatricknguyen991]

Cage 3 is the best shoe ever!

[@FootDoctorZach]

It’s a beast, hopefully the mold comes back into production in some way

[@재즈감귤-d7e]

why nike dose not sale 3!!!!!

[@Channel_Yo]

Cage 4 feels like you're stepping on a rock

[@jhervii3079]

yo is it ok for basketball?

[@resipsaloquitur_esq]

The "cage" polyurethane or plastic or whatever it is, breaks down too easily. I have several pair, and the soles still have lots of wear, but the sides are cracking and breaking down.

[@FootDoctorZach]

Yup especially in climates with a lot of changing temp/ humidity

[@johnjeffers1524]

the Zoom Cage 3 is easily my favorite shoe of all time. And I am anti-Nike! (boycotting them until they stop making them in China)

[@ryanrego5516]

he is not playing with anything remotely close to any of the shoes in this video. they are just made to cosmetically look like it. His shoes are pretty much custom courtballistecs.

[@speedysir7999]

Width vs lotto mirage 100 spd

[@FootDoctorZach]

similar with the VC4- cage 3 more narrow

Hey Doc, great video. I made my own analysis (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpC6iHt5r9iGa6s) after this years Masters in London, where Nadal played in black version of the modified Zoom Cage 3 and I couldn't figure it out, what exactly it is. Different tongue, thinner armor in forefoot... You answered my question. You can't buy these shoes. I found it rather uncommon, because mostly pro's don't use custom shoes in my opinion and this is a great example of them. One question: Are you aware of any other pro (men/women) in let's say TOP 20, that plays in custom shoes? Thanks Doc.

[@FootDoctorZach]

I watched a few of your videos- i love where you play its a really serene looking area- really nice- so there are a bunch of top players who play with custom shoes- the most glaring ones are Thiem and Muguruza who play with a modified SoleCourt Boost which has a bounce midsole in it and a shallow flange - there are others like Federer who plays with a crazy wide last, and others- there are a lot who play with the stock shoe but its just made around their foot shape which i would say all the top players are doing (maybe the real shoe just stitched around their foot, Djokovic is a good example) - but its hard to tell sometimes as these companies do a good job hiding what’s underneath the shoe- i actually did a video where i cut open Serena Williams’ real shoe and found all the differences and it was really crazy to see

@@FootDoctorZach Yeah, the one scene I play is in Austria and it's beautiful. Didn't know that with Thiem and Muguruza, although I know that the boost midsole is crazy soft, too much for pro players and the bounce version is more stable. Thanks

[@gioberto855]

Alterations for his foot

[@Fury5.010r]

I hated the cage 3

[@Az-mg7sx]

The 4s are heavy