NIKE ZOOM CAGE 2 SHOE REVIEW
Summary
Carrying on the tradition of the Max Cages they replace, the Nike Zoom Cage 2s are solid all-around performance shoes for the serious tennis player. Right out of the box, our playtesters noticed the plush comfort, excellent breathability and a noticeably wide, roomy fit. The support from the TPU cage on the upper prevented our feet from sliding laterally over the edge of the shoes. However, the wider fit allowed for a little too much sliding inside the shoes, and our playtesters struggled to get a locked-in feel. All in all, the Nike Zoom Cage 2s felt very cushioned and were an ideal fit for players with wider feet.
| Nike Vapor 9.5 Tour - Scores | |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 4,3/5 |
| Ventilation | 4,3/5 |
| Arch Support | 3,5/5 |
| Foot Support/Stability | 3,9/5 |
| Overall Sole Durability | 4,3/5 |
| Toe Durability | 4,9/5 |
| Traction | 4,2/5 |
| Weight | 3,6/5 |
| Overall | 4,1/5 |
Comfort - Score: 4,3/5
Our playtesters immediately noticed the plush cushioning of the Zoom Cage 2 as soon as they slipped them on their feet, and the comfort continued to be great throughout the test. The upper material offered a pillow-like feel all around the foot, complimented by a super plush tongue that sits on top of your foot. The fit was noticeably wide and roomy, especially for our narrow-footed playtester, but overall the comfort was very good and proved to be a strength of the shoe.
Ventilation - Score: 4,3/5
The breathability of the Zoom Cage 2 was very good and never became an issue for our playtesters. The combination of exposed mesh throughout the upper and the wide, spacious fit allowed air to flow freely through the shoe during play. Even when our testers wore thicker socks, overheating inside the shoe was never an issue.
Arch Support - Score: 3,5/5
Our testers found the arch support of the Zoom Cage 2 to be fairly low, but a rigid midfoot shank help stabilize the area during aggressive movements. They did find however that as the test wore on, the midsole molded to their feet and the shoe supported through the arch area a little better. One tester who historically has had issues with the arch support in Nike shoes had a similar experience during this test, although his experience got better as the test wore on.
Foot Support/Stability - Score: 3,9/5
There were mixed feelings about the support and stability that the Zoom Cage 2 offered. A couple of the testers found that the roomy fit inside the shoe allowed their foot to slide around a little bit too much, causing some skepticism when moving around aggressively. They struggled to get a cinched-down secure fit no matter how tight they pulled the laces. Another tester found the TPU cage on the upper to be a bit too rigid, and didn't feel that it flexed naturally with his foot. With all of that said, the stiff TPU cage and stiff heel collar did help prevent any unwanted ankle rolls or slippage during play.
Overall Sole Durability - Score: 4,3/5
The Zoom Cage 2's outsole proved to be sufficiently durable for our players, and no one found any surprising pattern of wear during the test. Every pair lasted the whole time as the durability was pretty on par with many other all-around performance shoes. One tester felt this was easily the most durable shoe in the Nike line, getting way more time in these compared to the Nike Lunar Ballistecs or Vapor 9.5 Tours. While they may not be the most durable shoes on the market, they should be satisfactory for virtually any level of player.
Toe Durability - Score: 4,9/5
The toe area of the Zoom Cage 2 held up equally as well for our playtesters, as not even our most aggressive toe draggers were close to wearing through that area. A couple of our testers mentioned that there was certainly signs of wear, but no where near enough to be wearing through the shoe. This is sure to hold up for even the most aggressive movers/toe draggers.
Traction - Score: 4,2/5
For the most part our testers really liked the level of traction that the Zoom Cage 2 had to offer. The outsole had a nice blend of grip and give. It instilled confidence when making an aggressive cut while providing enough give to not put too much stress on our legs and back. One tester mentioned that he struggled a bit with his pair, saying he slipped at times when going to accelerate and “ stuck ” too much when going for an aggressive slide.
Weight - Score: 3,6/5
There were some mixed feelings when it came to the weight of the Zoom Cage 2. Two of the three testers certainly felt the weight of the shoes, but they were split when it came to how the weight affected the overall performance. One of them liked the extra durability and stability that came from the heft, while the other felt slowed down on court and found the shoes to be a bit “ bulky. ” Our last playtester shared that he thought the shoes felt lighter and faster than the Max Cage that they replaced, and he never felt inhibited while moving around on the hard courts.
Overall - Score: 4,1/5
Likes
Chris: “ I liked the comfort, traction, stability and durability of the outsoles and toes. ”
Mark: “ Durability, comfort, traction and ventilation were all very good. I liked that they took the Max Air out of the heel and improved the lacing system as well. ”
Andy: “ Plush cushioning with good support and stability. The shoe does everything you need it to do, while it may not be exceptional in any category. ”
Dislikes
Chris: “ Too wide fitting to be fully supportive. ”
Mark: “ I was in between sizes when I’m almost always an US 11.5. The 11.5 was too big but the 11 was too small. ”
Andy: “ It feels bulky and stiff on court. I also would've liked a little more arch support and durability. ”
Comparison
Chris: “ I found the Max Cage to be a roomy shoe and this one follows suit. The two also share durability and a well built chassis. From other brands I'd say the New Balance 996v2 2E, Yonex Power Cushion Pro, Head Sprint Pro and Babolat SFX would all be worth considering. All of those shoes are wider fitting, provide nice traction, are durable and also stable. ”
Mark: “ The Zoom Cage 2 is a very stable, broad-feeling tennis shoe that reminded me of the K-Swiss Big Shot II, Babolat SFX and Head Sprint Pro. ”
Andy: “ It's lower to the ground but stiffer than the model it replaces, the Max Cage, but it continues to offer good all-around performance and nice cushioning. It also feels similar to the Head Revolt Pro (but much roomier) and Yonex Power Cushion Pro. ”
Playtester Foot Types:
Andy - Medium width / Low arch
Chris - Narrow width / Medium arch
Mark - Medium width / Medium arch
Review date: March 2015. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.information.en@tenniswarehouse-europe.com.
All content copyright 2015 Tennis Warehouse Europe.
