Durable and stable for aggressive movers; outsole guarantee included!
If you're looking for shoes that meet the demands of your footwork and will turn heads on the court, the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Rafa is for you. It perfectly blends two of Nike's most popular tennis shoes. Engineered and designed for one of the best movers on tour (vamos Rafa!), these shoes will meet the standards of players who crave serious support, enhanced stability, ridiculous levels of responsiveness, and maximum durability. A Zoom Air unit in the forefoot offers players more energy as they spring into their next shot. Hard court sliders will appreciate how the outsole has been integrated into the upper where aggressive movers need it most for enhanced durability. Foot frame technology increases stability and reaction time, and in case you needed another reason to get these shoes on your feet, they come backed by a 6-month outsole durability guarantee. Players of all levels who need support and can be hard on their shoes will want to look here before gravitating toward lighter, less durable options.
- Upper: Unique lacing system wraps around your feet for support and is hidden for durability. Breathable, supportive upper hugs feet for step-in comfort.
- Midsole: Zoom Air unit in the forefoot for more energy and a responsive, springy feel. Lateral foot frame helps with stability and responsiveness.
- Outsole: Generative design blends rubber and Kurim for extra durability where needed. Beefed up durability for players who slide. Backed by a 6-month outsole durability guarantee.
- Color: Green / Black
Fit Details
| Length: | Generous |
|---|---|
| Width: | Medium |
| Arch: | Medium |
| Break-in: | Yes |
| Surface Type: | Hard (all-court) |
| Durability Guarantee: | Yes |
| Weight: | 15.6 ounces (size 10.5) |
Stock #: CD0424-302
Videos
Other items in Nike Zoom Vapor Cage Men's Tennis Shoes
Customer Reviews
Great shoe!This is a flagship shoe for Nike that goes back to Agassi days. It has a unique rockered design that allows you to keep a portion of the sole with good grip on the court at all times, regardless of the angle of your foot. That same design is also great for people who have foot problems such as plantar or heel issues, because the rockered design reduces the sharp impact of a heel strike that you might get from a traditional squared sole design. It is also extremely durable, I can get almost six months of play out of this shoe compared to only sixty days from Nike's other shoes. The issue is that Nike doesn't care enough about this shoe, they don't invest the same energy into color and design updates as they do with other models in the Nike collection. This should be their top selling shoe if they invested more energy into this model, considering that it always sells out in the store and online, Nike should place more focus on the Cage line.
Softest shoesThese shoes are comfortable and good for long hours of play. The down side is the upper part of the materials are too soft. My feet slides inside the shoes. It is tight fit. Good for narrow feet.
Worst design shoe by NikeThis is one of the worst designs shoes for tennis by Nike. The rear heal has a lip that sticks out about 10 cm. this lip does not seem to have any function with the overall shoe. But it has caused me trip and fall on my backside when I'm trying to back pedal for a lob or overhead. The lip that sticks out catches on to the ground and causes this. TERRIBLE DESIGN! I had to send these back directly to NIKE and explain to them the design flaw. But they still make this model for over 3+ years. Total fail Nike!
Excellent choice for players that slideI purchased these for a player who can destroy sneakers and laces in one tennis match. These are holding up very well. They are comfortable, supportive and allow him to freely take off and change direction at speed without damaging his shoes and laces.
ComfortableIt has worked well to protect my Achilles tendon from injury.
Great for narrow feetThese fit great, like a glove, for my narrow feet. Comfortable right out of the box. Colors are great too. Would get 5 stars if it didn't have half of it covered with a reptile-like scaly designed texture (not sure who thought that would be appealing).
Great Shoe. Great colorPrompt delivery. This is exactly what I was hoping for. Shoe feels good.
Great ShoeComfortable and long lasting
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Great Shoesasics challenger has been my go to shoes for several years and iterations. I decided to give the Nike Vapor Cage a try (got it on sale) and am very happy with it. It is comfortable, stable and grippy and comes with outsole warranty. I changed the insoles. The original ones were thin and not great.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Great fit for narrow foot.The fit seems a little more narrow than in the past, or my foot got wider. Very stable. May be a little heavier than some others, but I don't notice any negative affects.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
comfortable and stableIt offers a comfortable fit and stability. Additionally, it provides support and cushioning suitable for intense movements. These tennis shoes deliver the best value for money.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Vapor Cage 4!I didn’t try them on the court yet. Initial impressions were very tough to get them on. Because of tongue design, one side stitched to main upper, it makes very difficult to open up. Once you put them on, shoes are very stable and comfortable. I hope they last at least three months.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Not easy but comfortableRafa has a good pair of tennis shoes. Because it’s made of one piece of material, it’s not easy to put it on. It does feels comfortable when playing.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
So happy with my shoesI have used a blue and a green color in the last two years. I have ordered a black one for 2025. I tried different shoes, this is the best for me, wrapping around my foot so nice.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
The best tennis shoe I've ever hadI've had tennis shoes from different brands and models. Vapor Cage 4 is the best tennis shoe I've ever had. It's comfortable and steady. Its material seems very resistant. I play in hard court and it's been working perfectly.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Not for unstable anklesShoes are super tight at the toes initially. They require a few sessions to break in, before they feel comfortable. They have thick soles, which is great for shock absorbing. However, I noticed after a longer session my feet get tired and start to roll outwards in this shoe. This doesn't happen with any other shoe I've had. Definitely not for you if you have a previous ankle injury.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Comfort!Great shoe! Comfortable and soft!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Perfect fitThis shoe is a perfect fit on my feet so I just love it
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Nice product and very nice price!I am very satisfied with the purchase, but even more so with the attention I have received from Tennis Warehouse and its customer service team. The product is exactly what I ordered and I hope to enjoy it in every game. I congratulate you for all the attention and protection of the purchase from the first moment. I have even recommended the store to my teammates so they can make their purchases with the security provided by their customer service team. Thank you very much!!!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Sturdy but could be more stableThey feature durable materials, comfortable cushioning, and breathable fabrics, making them ideal for intense matches. However, they can be slightly heavier than regular sneakers and may require a break-in period for optimal comfort. Overall, they provide the essential balance of performance, protection, and durability for tennis players.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
High performance shoeI've been playing with these shoes for about a month and I couldn't be happier! The design hugs my foot and give me great balance on the court. I've been pleasantly surprised with the durability as well. I am very rough on shoes, but I see only minimal signs of tread wear after one month. More than anything, I've received many compliments on the looks and color of this shoe! I will definitely be buying another pair in the future.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
High performance shoeI've been playing with these shoes for about a month and I couldn't be happier! The design hugs my foot and gives me great balance on the court. I am very rough on shoes and wear them out quickly. I've been pleasantly surprised with the durability as well. I'll be buying another pair in the future.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
A very sturdy pair of shoesThese shoes feel very sturdy. It feels tight, but it feels like I'm really grateful for my ankle. Also, the more comfortable I wear, the more satisfying the nice design
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
One of my go-to shoesI usually go with shoes that have an outsole durability guarantee and I wear them out in about four months. When time comes to order a new pair, I usually choose between Nike Vapor Cage, Asics Gel Resolution or adidas Barricades. And the choice comes down to current availability of my size on Tennis Warehouse and colors. Comfort, durability, performance - everything is fine, or at least as good as any other shoe on my list. Will buy them again if they have my size next time I need a new pair (and if the new colors are not too crazy).
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Awesome shoes!Provide great stability, and feel. They are light and also the materials unlike older models are more resilient to wear and tear. They also look great!!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Nike Vapor Cage 4 RafaPerfectly fits to my wide feet and gives so much comfort.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Bad lateral supportThis shoe is definitely good for people who don’t move around as much but it’s not too good if you do. I tend to stay behind the baseline so I’m used to moving side to side aggressively but these shoes were not good for that. They have a very high stack height because the outsole is about 3/4 of an inch thick. This means if you are an aggressive lateral mover, you can roll your ankle pretty easily if you’re not careful.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Best tennis shoe on the marketI own a lot of the top tennis shoes on the market from Nike and adidas. I’ve had a pair of these for two years now and they still are probably the best tennis shoe on the market. Stable cushy ride that’s low to the ground and hugs the foot well and moves with the foot well! If I have to knock it, it’s not the most breathable shoe.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Favorite tennis shoeI have wide feet and these fit really well. The rubber soles last a long time as well compared to other Nike tennis shoes.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Nike Zoom Vapor Cage 4Good looking shoe, very durable, light and plays well. Only issue was the stitching on the outside of the shoe came undone on multiple shoes we purchased. Overall very good competitive shoe for our Men's Tennis Team and MSU-Texas
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Great at the start!!!This shoe was absolutely one of my favorites ever when I took it out of the box and played with it. It was everything it said it was. Super responsive, using the shank and Air Zoom to its advantage to bend and snap back, feeling very responsive and comfortable. But the reason I give four stars is because of two things. One is minor, and that's that this shoe did not have a great lockdown, no matter how tight I tightened it. My major complaint though is over time this shoe loses what I said about response. It loses its sort of snappy affect over time as it stretches and bends, and it just becomes a heavy shoe held up by Air Zoom. The shoe bends a bit in the forefoot and does not support as well as Vapor 11's do. Overall good shoe but it loses its spark fairly quick. It took me two weeks for that.
All around best NikeI have had a variety of Nike's top shoes. I think these Cage shoes are the best I have had over the past five years. I have had them for about one year along with other shoes. I still think these are the best. The sole of the shoe lasted the longest of any I have tried. I like how the shoe has a boot fit and not a tongue. Even being old, they are not easy to put on. Once on, they hold like a solid glove. I do recommend changing the inner cushion with a new one after a while. I have added new sport insoles and they feel like new shoes again. They fit more like the Nike Zoom Court Zero like Sinner wears. I have the new Nike Vapor 11. It is a good shoe but not as good as the Cage to me. The Vapor 11 feels more like a normal kind of wide shoe. The top of the toe is not as strong. Again, adding new sport insoles makes a big difference.
Very good shoesDid not tear easily, have been wearing the shoes for about three months and still haven’t had a tear in them. The laces are starting to wear out but still an amazing shoe to wear. Highly recommend!
Sturdy, good support and a bit heavyWell, if you don't cheat on leg day, these shoes are fine. This is a very solid shoe. My son, a top level state player in Colorado, stays with these shoes. He has narrow feat but these are very adjustable with the laces. He said they are very stable. His latest pair he wore the soles smooth after about eight months of training, matches and regular camps. The outside of the show looks new. By comparison, the NXT and early Vapor's were chewed up after a few months.
He is getting his second pair. They are a stable workhorse and the only shoe he wanted.
Poor qualityI really like this shoes, but the upper layer of fabric was torn after only 1.5 months (only the first layer, on the right side for right shoe and left for the left one). I’ve been playing once-twice a week for this period.
I would like to recommend the shoes, but the durability for me is too bad. I have pretty wide foot, maybe it could impact.
Now I am still using them, but the appearance is ugly.
GoodThe title of this review is because it’s good. The all white is really easy to get dirty. If you slide your foot, the color of the court rubs off the shoe ofc scuffing them. The shoes fit rather tight and girth within the first few days of wearing but they are the most comfortable by far. I will probably get another pair but maybe in the black to save from the dirt.
Heavy & Inconsistent SizingI wish Nike would offer a D width option for both men and women. My second wish would be for Nike to get it together with consistent sizing.
I've worn 2 pairs and just ordered the BLK/SI as my 3rd pair. With each order, the shoe is smaller in the same size. This last pair feels like 1/2 size smaller.
Besides that, the shoes are heavy. I have wide feet and these are the best I can find. The bar is low though.
They come in smallI'm a size 12 and have blisters as they are too tight...you will have to buy a bigger size.
Super Like!Very comfortable!
CheapMy son has worn these shoes for literally 10 days and already has a hole in the toe and the shoestring has busted. He also has the black and yellow ones and same thing hole in toes and shoestring busted! They didn’t last either! It’s ridiculous to pay this much money for a pair of shoes they say are durable and they don’t last!
Using for PickleballLove, love these shoes. I have flat feet and if I wear the wrong shoe, I develop plantar fasciitis. None of that has happened with this shoe. I've played roughly 2-3x/week for 2-3 hours at a time, over the past month. No issues at all with the shoe. It's got great cushioning. I'd say it's true to size. I'm an 8.5, it's not supper snug but not super loose either. The only thing that needs getting used to is the lacing design. Will definitely buy again and highly recommend it. Shipping is super fast as well.
Durable, comfortable, stable and a bit heavyI've had this shoe for about a month now. It's a very solid shoe, and has shown little wear in that time. Has stability in all the right places, haven't had any issues with lateral support even though I loved the outrigger piece on my last shoe (adidas SoleMatch Bounce). No issues with your foot sliding around in the shoe. Comfort is an 8/10, but I'm considering inserts as the arch isn't that high (I would say I have a normal to high arch). Tongue is pretty thick, certainly doesn't feel like the laces are digging into my feet. Lacing system isn't the easiest to tie down, but not something that really bothers me, and seems to give an even tightness around my foot. Also, the width is nice, I have a bit of a wide foot and these fit just fine at my normal size. The only somewhat-issue is the weight. It sort of comes with territory in a durability-focused shoe, but it definitely is noticeable. Once you get into a stride, you can get pretty fast in them. But it's the short, quick movements where it seems to hinder you the most. And over time, you start to anticipate this resistance, and that can lead to lazy footwork if you're not careful. So what I would say is, if you have good footwork fundamentals and your disciplined about taking the right steps in setting up for your shots, it's an amazing shoe and you should be fine. But if you're a beginner or low-intermediate player and taking those right steps isn't already fully ingrained into your footwork, this might not be the best shoe for you. Or maybe it is, but you just gotta be really mindful about what you're dealing with. I would say though for less experienced players, you'd probably be happier with a lighter shoe and just be aware/okay with the fact that you're going to have to replace them more often. But if you want something that will last a while, is very stable, comfortable, looks great, and fast in a sprint, these are a fantastic option.
Snug FitThese do have a tight fit to get into... but once on, the snugness is spread evenly and the shoes feel quite comfortable. My normal shoe size is 10... but purchased 10.5, and don't regret it.
Rafa Vapor cage 4The shoes were heavy and stiff. I usually wear the Asics Speed Solution FF2, which I ultimately bought, but wanted to try the Nike. Compared to the Asics, the Vapor Cage are a whole lotta shoe!
George CImpressed with the finish. Not impressed the fit and the strange way the lacing follows from top to bottom. It is a much narrower fit than the Cage 3 which i had bought twice. The Cage 4 did not fit me and I ordered a half size larger than I normally wear. I immediately sent them back. Nike needs to find a way to supply a shoe for players with wide feet, up to 2-E.
Dung tangVery good shoes!
Really durable, but HEAVY!I have finally worn through the outsole a few days shy of 6 months. I go through K-Swiss Ultrashot 3s in 3 1/2 months, so I was shocked how these have held up. They are also very comfortable and supportive. Additionally they have good traction. The only downsides are the weight, and lack of breathability. My socks are always soaked after a long match. I guess it is hard to have the support with a lot of ventilation. I would definitely recommend these.
On My 2nd PairI love these shoes! I'm an aggressive hard court player and after two meniscus surgeries I wanted a supportive yet durable shoe. I feel supported and confident in these shoes no matter which direction I'm moving on the court. First pair lasted over a year and now I'm on my 2nd pair.
Narrow and tippyOne of the TW reviewers called these wide, but I have to disagree. They're about a C width. Also, the sole is quite rounded, which is probably nice for some players, but if you're prone to rolling your ankle like I am, they feel a bit unsteady. The lacing system and the way it interacts with the bootie inside is weird and unnecessary, but it probably looked great on a PowerPoint back at Nike headquarters.
Most durable Nike Tennis ShoeI've gone through 4 pairs of these since introduced and they're the only shoe I can't break through the outsole within 6 months. Very durable. My first pair did have the upper rip where the cage wraps around the lateral side but haven't experienced that since. Comfortable, cushioned and durable. Anyone who thinks these are heavy must be too light to reap the benefits and should just play in Vapor/Vapor Pros
Just ehThese shoes are pretty nice, but the arch was killing me. The inside of the arch was painfully pressing against the inside of the arch, making it hard to play with for extended periods of time. Not to mention they are also very heavy and clunky.
lots of cons, few prosThe Good: Attractive and well cushioned.
The Bad: Clunky feeling, definitely NOT for match play, poor quality, the sides ripped out on both pairs I bought and I'm gentle on shoes weighing only 148 lbs. The lacing system doesn't work. Just because it looks innovative doesn't mean it is.
Sadly disappointedWhile I originally loved the shoes when I got them as a present. The price tag was very high but I thought with the 6 month warranty I thought it would be worth the money.
They are heavy but I got used to that, I'm not a fan of the lacing system but that's minor. The upper sides have torn away on both sides , I don't wear think socks so I guess it's from the strain of movement on the courts.
I am disappointed because I really wanted to like these.
I would not recommend these to any aggressive mover or anyone who plays a lot of tennis.
Amazing feeling and comfortI tried on the adidas Barricade and Solecourt because I liked the looks. But my foot just did not feel stable in them, so I then tried Nike Vapor NXT & Vapor Cage 4 Rafa. The Vapor Cage 4 fit my foot perfectly, so that is the one I went with. I think peoples feet differ though, so important to go with what feels best on your feet. I have had no issues with wear, I have had mine for two months now.
5 starsFeels super good when I run on the court!
Comfy but not stableComfortable on the feet when standing but didn't feel like it had the lateral stability I'm looking for. I wouldn't have the confidence in the shoe to make hard lateral movements.
Best shoe for cushioning!This shoe is perfect for players looking for cushioning and the look is fantastic. I have 2 pairs already. They are amazing!
Outsole wore out too quicklyI purchased the shoes in the beginning of January and after about two months I already have a hole in the top on the shoe and the bottom of the sole was completely worn out. The shoes are very comfortable but they wear out very quickly and I wouldn't buy them again.
