Nike Women's Zoom Cage 2 Review
Summary
Building off the successful line of Nike Cage shoes, Nike designed the Zoom Cage 2 to be stable, durable and comfortable while still looking great. The unique 6mm outsole provides players with high levels of durability but also lets players feel connected to the court when moving aggressively. The Cage 2's midsole that has been built to wrap around the heel to provide a locked-in feel, so players should be able to confidently fly around the court with speed. First seeing them on the feet of top WTA players at the 2015 Australian Open, our playtest team was excited to give these shoes a shot. Right out of the box our entire team experienced issues with the fit of the Zoom Cage 2 being too big. Agreeing that the toe box was quite roomy, some of our testers sized down a half-size. All fit issues aside, our team appreciated the plush cushioning and stability these shoes offered. The durability of the Zoom Cage 2 was hands down the standout feature. All in all, we think if you have a medium width foot and can size down a half-size, these shoes will provide you with ample amounts of cushioning and support while remaining durable for months of play.
| Nike Women's Zoom Cage 2 SCORES | |
|---|---|
| Overall Comfort | 3,7/5 |
| Ventilation | 3,8/5 |
| Arch Support | 4,0/5 |
| Foot Support/Stability | 3,7/5 |
| Overall Sole Durability | 4,5/5 |
| Toe Durability | 4,3/5 |
| Traction | 4,0/5 |
| Weight | 3,7/5 |
| Overall | 3,8/5 |
Comfort - Score: 3,7/5
Loaded with Nike's Zoom Air cushioning system, there was never any doubt in our playtesters' minds that these shoes were going to be plush and comfortable. What held our team back from reaching complete comfort was the fit and break-in period of the Zoom Cage 2. Our group of four struggled to find the correct fit across the board. Two of our playtesters sized down a half-size for the playtest and the other two were hoping the fit issues would work themselves out after the break-in period. And after a week of breaking in the stiff shoe, our playtesters were able to enjoy the benefits of these comfortable shoes. Both Karly and Brittany ended up sizing down a half-size and once they broke the shoe in, they both enjoyed the plush padding the shoe offered. Michelle and Tiffani stayed in their true size, and while they agreed the shoe offered them lots of padding, Tiffani's wider feet felt tight in the midfoot yet wide in the heel, hindering her comfort score.
Ventilation Score: 3,8/5
Nike used Drag-On materials to add lateral support into the cage of these shoes while adding mesh to improve the breathability from the Air Max Cage of the past. While the Zoom Cage 2 may not have been the coolest shoes our team has played in, no one really felt the heat deterred their on court experience.
Arch Support Score: 4,0/5
Despite the four different arch types, our testers all agreed the Zoom Cage 2 provided sufficient support. Brittany noted that the shoe molded around her foot the longer she wore it as Karly hardly noticed the arch in this shoe, which was a positive. Tiffani's flat feet were well supported while Michelle's high arches were just fine as well.
Foot Support/Stability - Score: 3,7/5
Built to be stable and supportive, the Zoom Cage 2 looked like it would keep our playtesters moving confidently around the court. Because of the fit issues our team dealt with, the stability and support was sacrificed. The biggest problem with the Zoom Cage 2 was the shoes didn't hold our testers feet very well no matter how tightly they tied their shoes.
Overall Sole Durability - Score: 4,5/5
Nike did their research when creating the ultra durable outsole of the Zoom Cage 2. With added tread in high wear areas, the overall outsole design provided endless amounts of durability. Our playtesters unanimously agreed this shoe is super durable! Our team agreed that there was minimal wear after the playtest and that it would take a lot to wear this shoe out in 6 months.
Toe Durability Score: 4,3/5
Our three toe draggers were able to properly put the Zoom Cage 2 to the test. Tiffani, Brittany and Karly agreed the uppers were well protected and after several weeks of playtesting the shoe, the only thing that is visible was some scuffing on the upper with plenty of life left and I give this shoe a high mark for toe durability.
Traction - Score: 4,0/5
With an outsole design meant to give players just the right blend of give and control on the court, the Zoom Cage 2 offered our team a superior traction experience on the hard court. These shoes never felt sticky, and the testers only noted a couple instances where they were left unsure with their footing.
Weight - Score: 3,7/5
Offering loads of durability and stability, the Zoom Cage 2 looked like it would weigh in heavier than most shoes on the market, but Nike has done a great job removing material from the sole where it wasn't needed to keep these shoes feeling light. Most of our playtesters thought these shoes played lighter than what the scale said, although no one would put them in the lightweight category. Both Tiffani and Michelle noted a bulky feel and didn't feel their quickest. Brittany didn't mind the weight, although she prefers shoes that are light and fast. Karly appreciated that these shoes felt lighter than the previous Air Max Cages.
Overall - Score: 3,8/5
Likes
Michelle - “Comfortable and stable. Great durability!”
Tiffani - “I liked how low they sit to the court, which is an improvement over the previous Max Air version of the Cage. I also like the durability and how well they take color.”
Karly - “They were such comfortable shoes! The padding was so plush and cushioned throughout.”
Brittany - “I liked the durability and support/stability that this shoe offered. Also, the cosmetics are fun and I received a lot of compliments when I was wearing them.”
Dislikes
Michelle - “I would recommend sizing down a half-size from what you normally wear so the fit is better; I just never felt like I had my shoes tied tightly enough and always felt I was moving around a bit inside these shoes. I never size down, so this was an interesting issue for me.”
Tiffani - “I just couldn't find a great fit. I found them too wide in the heel and the very tip of the toe box, but they were still too narrow for my wide feet in the midfoot.”
Karly - “The loose fit was a big disappointment. My feet were sliding within the shoes, which took away from the support.”
Brittany - “I struggled with the fit. Even going down the half-size, my feet never completely felt comfortable in the shoes. I was also not a fan of the stiff uppers; the shoes weren't flexing very well.”
Compare:
Michelle - “They reminded me a bit of the adidas Barricade V Classic. Really cushioned and stable with great durability but a bulkier feel. I also think fans of the Air Max Cages will enjoy these shoes.”
Tiffani - “These are like the previous Nike Cages but lower to the ground and less cushioned, so in that sense they are a bit faster feeling. I had the heel slippage issue with both versions. I'm also reminded a bit of the Yonex Power Cushion Pro. The Yonex fits narrower throughout and offers plusher cushioning, but the way they protect the feet feels similar.”
Karly - “I thought they played similarly to the previous version, the Air Max Cages. Both had a similar fit, lots of plush padding and offered good durability for being on the lighter side. There wasn't an area where I thought one shoe stood out more than the other, though personally I would choose the Zoom Cage 2s because I think the cosmetics are better!”
Brittany - “I thought this was comparable to previous Air Max Cages in terms of support/stability and durability. I thought they were better cushioned, but like the previous version, I still struggled with the wider fit.”
Playtester Foot Types:
Karly - Medium width, Medium-low arch
Tiffani - Wide width, Low arch
Brittany - Narrow width, Medium arch
Michelle - Medium width, High 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.
