Nike's premier match-day shoe delivers all out speed without compromising support or comfort.
Designed for explosive speed, the Nike Vapor 12 delivers the lightweight and fast feel that the Vapor line was built upon, without compromising comfort or support. Nike used data from the worn shoes of arguably the most explosive mover on the pro tour, and engineered these Vapor 12 s to withstand the test of battle. Nike also listened to the consumers, and integrates various design concepts from some of the people's favorite Vapors; with an aesthetic inspiration from the Vapor VI Tour, and performance features from the Vapor Pro, Vapor X, Vapor 9/9.5. A Zoom Air unit in the heel supplies impact cushioning, and the split sole design helps to cut down on weight but maintain torsional rigidity. The fit band in the mid-foot increases lock-down and delivers more confidence on quick side-to side cuts. The outsole is comprised of Hart rubber for added durability, and molded into a split outsole with herringbone tread; ideal tread for hard courts, but performs well on all court surfaces.
- Upper: High deneer engineered mesh provides comfort, and ventilation. Cast PU reduces weight, while making sure high wear zones are protected; tip of the toe and medial toe box.
- Midsole: Zoom Air unit located in the heels for shock absorption on hard landings. TPU full length Footframe from heel to toe supplies lightweight stability. Mid- foot shank located in between two-piece split outsole design. 22mm heel stack, with low to the court 10mm stack in the forefoot.
- Outsole: Hart rubber compound creates more durability; added abrasion resistance. Herringbone tread pattern for optimal grip on hard courts, but performs well on a variety of court surfaces.
- Color: White / Gold (Magnolia print)
Fit Details
| Length: | True |
|---|---|
| Width: | Snug Medium |
| Arch: | Slightly Low |
| Break-in: | None |
| Surface: | Hard (all court) |
| Weight: | 14.6 ounces (size 10.5) |
Stock #: HV1486-100
Other items in Nike Air Zoom Vapor 12 Men's Tennis Shoes
Customer Reviews
close but too much rubber on the upperas most reviewers have said these are attempting to get back to the true Vapor feel of the 9's and 10, however it just has too much weight with that huge flow of grooved rubber down the medial side and across the toe box to feel like the 10's did. The 10 had that awesome, airy running shoe comfort + tennis stability that was just perfect. With Roger's input to help develop the 10 it was the perfect shoe. Too bad they don't allow people to special order previous shoe models, because even if they charged a lot more for the special order people would still pay it to get that old feel back
Almost a good vapor again not there yetSee my review for hypersmash. I have tried them on, similar issue. The tongue is hard and stiff, jamming into the ankle, so it's painful in the ankle to lace tight enough to hold the heel in place. Prior Nike vapor, vapor pro always had a softer / longer tongue to avoid this. The stiff material around the side of the ankle also was causing some ankle pain there (I'm using Nike Dri-Fit crew socks). To fix Vapor Pro again they need more angle padding and a softer more padded tongue like prior Nike.
almost back to a great shoeThese look like the Vapor X, which was a great shoe, with some differences. The lacing is less adjustable. So... not as form fitting. I have been using Nike Vapor since the Vapor 2. I tried these and 10 min on the court and the pain of the tongue and sides digging into my ankle was a lot. Painfully. So I undid the runner's knot... After 10 more min my feet were achy - the heel wasn't staying in place, so the arch wasn't in the right place, and they were unusable on the court. I put back on my Vapor X's to finish the match, with no foot pain or problems. The key is the tongue. They made the tongue too short and some hard plastic material so it digs into the front of the ankle painfully. If they had good foam and bigger tongue like nearly all prior Nike Vapor, so it padded the front rather than dug in, I could tightly lace the shoe to hold the heel, and they might be OK. Still not sure about the sides of the ankles, the plastic material and limited padding might still be hard and dig in on the sides, causing bruising, but as is, they are a full swing and a miss, and I can't recommend them. I bought some On Cloud Federer shoes to try next!
Amazing shoe. Adidas convertI have a medium-narrow width foot. I usually wear a size 11 in adidas. I wear a 10.5 in this Nike. The Vapor 12 shoe plays a lot like the Adidas cyber sonic 2, but wears a lot better. I play almost every day, and I can burn through the cybersonic in 6 weeks. Vapor 12 is legit. Good support, but not too heavy. Nice performance fit without a toe crunching foot box. (P.S. if you’re giving a shoe a poor review because it doesn’t fit you right, you have no business submitting reviews. Send it back and find something else. It’s not the shoe design. These shoes are well made and are great tennis shoes for those of us who it fits.)
Crushed my feetFirst time buying Nike’s - typically an ASICS and Adidas buyer. Played twice with these shoes and had pain in my feet the next day after both sessions. They look nice?
bulky and heavy compared to vapor proIt's maddening how as soon as you get used to a nike shoe, they discontinue it and drastically change the fit of the next model.
Return of the VaporJust like Luke Skywalker in the return of the Jedi, this shoe equally conquers the dark side, and makes waves in the universe. Seriously, I played college tennis in the vapor 9.5 and was so sad when the moved away from it. Thankfully this shoe recalls those same feelings! Thanks Nike!
Incredible Nike Zoom Vaper 12 ShoesExtremely comfortable and sturdy. I wore them today — they feel very light, and the size 10 fits perfectly, even with ankle braces.
Amazing shoesComfortable at is best... runs true size 100 percent recommended by a 4.5 player.
Love these shoesI couldn’t wait for these shoes to come, and they’re just as good as I thought they would be; looks and comfort are amazing.
NEED A WIDE VERSION!!!This is very close to the 9.5 and X versions! A little heavier but more stable. Very comfortable old school lacing system. I had to stretch it out with shoe expanders to be able to fit though. PLEASE NIKE MAKE A WIDE VERSION! There are so many people who are using other brands who would come back to Nike if they made a wide version of this.
Best ShoeBest shoe out right now. Super light and great cushion.
Feel bigger than other Nike'sI've only worn Nike tennis shoes and for the first time these feel just a smidge bigger than all my other shoes. I tried one size below but they are too small. So I decided I'll stick with the ones that are hardly too big. It may be the material that leaves a little more room around my toes. They're quite uncomfortable until they're broken in, the creases can press into your toes on the inside.
Welcome back VaporI guess Nike has been listening to customers feedback and decided to go back what had been greatly appreciated about Vapor 9.5 and X. This shoe fulfills the longing for low to ground high performance shoe competitive players love. I like every aspect of this designed. Fit is true, excellent lateral support and great traction.
Zoom Vapor 12 HypersmashI am really enjoying this shoe. I have 4 other pairs of Nike tennis shoes, and this one has become my favorite. It is lightweight (compared to the others) and I can move around the court comfortably and quickly as the shoe provides excellent support. The only negative thing I have to say about this shoe is that it isn't available in more colors. Highly recommend.
Comfortable while they lastI had these shoes for I think 3 weeks? Before there was a hole on the inner foot area of the right shoe. I slide a lot regardless of surface. Break a lot of shoe laces. They were really comfortable, but if you’re an aggressive mover, I can’t honestly recommend these to you. I’m only a coach too, not even a player. Switched to Vapor Pro 12s and they’ve been holding up a lot better. They do seem to run a half size bigger though. The 9s I got fit like 9.5. Hypersmash were more true to size.
Nike, if you’re reading this: make the inner foot of the Hypersmash as durable as Vapor Pro 12s and my goodness do you have an incredible shoe.
I thought these were retro basketball shoesThese essentially resemble the hyper dunks from the early-mid 2000s. The rating is based on the looks. They hyper dunks were decent basketball shoes. If they play/feel anything close to those, they should be decent.
Very comfortableLove these shoes
Great shoeShoe fits snug, so go a half size up. Great shoe and helps mobility.
New Nike VaporsThe shoes are absolutely perfect for hard court. Whether it’s the increased bounciness, better mobility, except for the durability. My shoes two weeks in already are damaged slightly and the leather easily gets creased. But overall, they are a solid pair of kicks and the damage doesn’t affect gameplay.
Best in awhileThis is the best Vapor in a while. Low to the ground and excellent lateral mobility. Could be a little wider and the upper half could feel more "locked in" to the shoe, like some previous Vapors, but overall a solid shoe that I would buy again.
Finally, A True Vapor ReturnsThis shoe is hands down the best shoe on the market today. I'm reluctant to tout it to my league fearing the guys will go out and buy it too. The only major flaw is very limited color ways. Nike needs to release at least 5-7 color ways to get this shoe in wide distribution. That being said, this shoe is remarkable!
Great, comfyI love it
Good shoeI wanted to try the new Vapor 12 and I was not disappointed. I have enjoyed the other Vapors but I still prefer the Cage line. Overall I would buy the 12 again.
A hybrid between The vapor 9.5 and vapor xA hybrid between The vapor 9.5 and vapor x. A little more support and lighter than the current Vapor 12. Probably the best shoe that exists as of right now, IMO (Vapor X was my fav for reference). You will need to change the insoles as there's not a whole lot of padding.
Good lightweight and easy to put in and outThese Nike tennis shoes are very comfortable and super lightweight. The laces adjust easily to your foot, and it’s very simple to loosen them for better comfort. They also feel stable on the court. I hope to confirm their durability over time, but so far I really like them.
Something in between the 9.5 and Vapor XWide enough toe box, similar to the vapor x. Not as low to the ground as the vapor x but similar to the 9.5. Feels light on your feet, almost as if you can move quicker. As of July 2025, probably the best tennis shoe that exists (specifically the Hypersmash version).
If Nike could bring the shoe lower to the ground, such as with the vapor x, this would be one of the best shoes ever.
Highly recommend!I found this pair of shoes to be some of most mobile, stable and comfortable tennis shoes out there. The hypersmash design allows for breathing room for the feet as well as keeping the feet stable in the shoe. Loved them so much I got myself 3 pairs !
Nike Bows To Consumer DemandFor the last several years Nike has been burned so badly by the likes of Asics and Adidas, they had NO choice but to release a quality Vapor. The imitation Vapors of the last several years utterly crushed their sales numbers. Better late than never!
Finally, NIKE Listens to ConsumersThere will be sold a huge amount of these shoes as long as Nike remains true to the Vapor ethos!
Finally A True VaporI'd rate this shoe a five if it weren't for the limited color ways.
Finally Worthy of Vapor NameGents,
They finally released a version worthy of the iconic Vapor name.
I found the Zoom Vapor 12 HYPERMASH to be very close if not identical to the design elements of the Vapor 10. Clearly a winner. From both a weight and cosmetic sensibility Nike has found the sweet spot.
Would recommend this version without reservation once the pricing becomes more reasonable.
ExcellentI would buy them again
Vapor pro shoesThey were very comfortable and flexible and I didn’t feel like my legs were trapped which is a good thing
nice sneaker but didn't work for meI liked the sneaker but I have a problem finding shoes that are wide enough. This one wasn't so I had to return it.
Nike Zoom Vapor 12 Hypersmash Men's ShoeThe Nike Zoom Vapor 12 tennis shoe is excellent. I play tennis 5 days per week, and these are the shoes I wear. They are comfortable and responsive. They look sharp too.
Solid & SmoothI have been using Asics Resolution for the past years and my feet got a spoil with cushion. However, the second time I used the Nike shoes I felt as if I was not wearing shoes. Comfort hit back, in addition to the shoes being solid and smooth.
Best Since 9.5Honestly the best shoe since the 9.5 Vapors but it's not easy to slide in these shoes.
I slid in ON's, and previous Nike models but this I struggle with.
I definitely will keep this shoe.
Big improvement from the 11Felt very connected to the court in these. Sliding feels very natural and controlled. The Vapor 11 felt like bricks taped to your feet and these feel like the exact opposite. I really like the adaptive lacing too.
I do have a durability concern where the foam and rubber meet on the inner side of the shoe though. If you slide aggressively and frequently, the foam will also wear down and the rubber isn't so incredibly durable either.
Familar feel, improved performanceI use this shoe for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and zumba. It performs well and feels like a more durable stable improvement of the 9.5s. If you enjoyed playing with the 9.5s or the X's you will like these shoes.
Love them.Just like the initial model, these shoes are light and comfortable.
Not worth the priceThe quality is ok but didn't feel more responsive compared with Vapor 11
Solid VaporThis is another solid entry into the Vapor line. I think most people who loved the older versions of the Vapor line (9.5, X, Vapor Pro 1) will be happy with this shoe. It feels quick and low to the court giving that unique Vapor feeling of hugging the court. Nike brought back Zoom cushioning without having so much cushioning that you don’t feel connected to the court. Enough with all the handwringing about Nike not listening to consumers – they absolutely did with this shoe.
AGGRESSIVE SLIDERS -- BEWARE!If you slide a lot, there is ZERO protection on the top eyelet on the inside of your foot. I tore through my laces within 1 hour. Applying some epoxy around it so it doesn't happen again. Feels like the old vapors otherwise.
AMAZING SHOEFinally Nike Gets Back To What Works…Fuller Toe Box, Sole Feels Like Vapor 9.5 TOUR, Upper Feels Like Vapor X Flyknit… Hope Nike Makes It More Colors…
good shoesgood
good shoesgood
Nothing new from Nike....This shoe was touted as the return to performance for Nike, sadly it was a hard pass for me. Most of the reviewers claimed the shoe is wider than other nikes and an improved low profile connected to the court feel. Well my medium wide foot did not agree, I have been using the New Balance 996 v5 for over a year now and I wanted to like this shoe but from the first time I slipped it on I knew it was a no go. I quickly removed the shoe, packaged it up and used the return label as it was quite narrow and I could tell it would not provide the feel I love with the 996. Buyer beware...
like older versionsThe Vapor 11 was the oddball. The Vapor 12 reminds me of the older versions. To be more specific, the Vapor 12 reminds me of the Vapor 9.5.
Good Shoe, Runs NarrowHad to switch to another shoe because the toe box was too narrow for my feet. Otherwise, great feel on court. Light and low feeling shoe.
Proper evolution of Vapor xThe Vapor 11 I thought was not that bad, I enjoyed the shoe especially for sliding and durability. I LOVE the Vapor 12's, it's annoying seeing all of these people complain that they are not the X's or that 9.5 is the best. Alright then people, go buy those shoes then. The Vapor 12 is amazing, it's a true Vapor. The shoe fits like a glove with the lace system, might need runners knot for zero heel slippage. The shoe is fast, minimalist and if you liked the Vapor before the 11. If you LOVED the Vapor 11, this is not anything like that shoe, you might as well buy the GP.
Nothing will ever come close to the vapor 9.5Nike keeps missing the mark. The 9.5/X Vapor was nearly perfect, but they butchered it with the Vapor Pro 2, Vapor 11, and now the Vapor 12. The latest version feels heavy, clunky, and just plain bad. Their quality has dropped so hard — it’s disappointing. Definitely not buying.
Not the Vapor 9.5 or XI am convinced that Nike hates money. They took the nearly perfect 9.5 / X Vapor shoe and mutilated it with the Vapor Pro 2, Vapor 11, and now the Vapor 12. It's a heavy and clunky shoe that sucks. Their products have gone down hill so hard, it really is a shame. Hard pass.
Not as premiumI’ve tried every version of the Vapor since it first came out. The Vapor 12 is definitely an improvement over the previous 11th design, but the excessive use of plastic makes the shoe feel a bit stiff (Hopefully they'd get soft when broken in). I understand that inflation has driven the price up to $170, but the outsole and upper don’t feel as premium as they should. It almost feels like a cheaper version of the Vapor.
Fast and ResponsiveGreat shoe. Quick and responsive. Drives like a sports car rather than a soft-suspension cruiser. Not quite as low to the ground as the Zoom Vapor Pro but closer than any other current Nike tennis shoe.
Vapor 12I am big fan of the Vapor 11 and was optimistic about the arrival of the Vapor 12. However, I am extremely disappointed as this shoe has very little support or cushioning. Too low to the ground and is apparently made for people with low arches. I also wear a custom orthotic. I will have to stock up on Vapor 11's now as I cannot wear this shoe. Feet are absolutely killing me after wearing these shoes. Hopefully, Nike will come out with some new Premium alternatives in 2025 as the Vapor 12 is not going to work for me.
Swoosh logo is even BIGGER nowGet this if you want to be a walking billboard for Nike. Otherwise, it’s a quality shoes and performs well.
Best ShoesI enjoyed Vapor 11 for the stability and the style. Vapor 12 is a huge upgrade — it’s speedy and comfortable without sacrificing the responsiveness and stability. The style is a bit of meh compared to Vapor 11.
Like Vapor X again, YAYSooo it’s what we’ve been asking for... Everyone has always said just give us the Vapor X back and it seems like Nike finally listened.
Thanks NikeThe OG Vapor Pro (the ones that Alcaraz still wears) were my favorite shoe of all time. So I was excited when the 11's came out...and they were AWFUL! Felt like bricks, too sticky and just bad. When these were announced, I was skeptical. I had been wearing the Gel Res 9s and tried the new Gel Res X and it's like wearing glue traps on your feet, no ability to slide in those!! Tried the new Vapor 12s and they feel so good! The feel of the outsole reminds me so much of the vapor pros! Nike did so well with these new 12s. Thanks Nike for listening to your consumers!
Best shoe everI love how this shoe feels, how it looks, and how it plays. I would definitely recommend this to you, was amazing!
Best shoe everThis is one of my favorite shoes of all time! It has a springy aerodynamic feel. It moves well for sliding with a low to ground comfortable feel. I love the look and feel of this shoe, and would definitely recommend!
