The Roger Pro by On Running
I was skeptical at first, skeptical that a first-time tennis shoe company could create something competitive with other main-stream tennis shoe brands.
However, after wearing and testing The Roger Pro for the past few months – my skepticism has definitely been erased.
FEEL.
When you first step into the shoes, they feel like a combination of the sturdiest Adidas Baracade combined with the lightest, softest shoes on the market (a Nike Zoom Vapor or an Asics Gel Resolution comes to mind). This softness could be due to either ONs signature insole material, or their CloudTech technology.
The Carbon Fiber plate that runs along the bottom of the shoe surely contributes to the sturdiness and stability that I felt when first stepping into them. There is also a mesh cage that wraps around the mid foot and stretches til the toe box area that also aids in foot stability.
Movement.
As for vertical vs horizontal movement - I would say that the Roger Pro favors the former. An extremely thin layer of fabric that covers the area where the shoe creases with forward movement allowing one to make quick transitions to the net. The carbon fiber “springboard” as I call it - also helps in this movement to quickly spring out of the serve and come in to net. It does make sense that this aspect of the shoe (forward and backward movement) would be so strong, given who it was made primarily for (Roger Federer).
Durability.
My only worry at the time when I made my review - durability - has in some respects been a valid worry - but in others it has held up well. The area of the left shoe that drags when one slides on a hard court (at least in my experience), has in fact worn through - creating a hole in that area. It survived 2 months though, and under pretty severe usage - so I am not too disappointed. The bottom wear however, has actually held up much better than i initially thought it would, and has had no issues!
Overall, I would say that ON Running’s first foray into a tennis shoe has been a huge success. If they can improve their shoe’s durability while keeping the fundamental aspects, then I see no reason why “The Roger Pro” won’t find its way onto shelves world wide!
Julian contributes to The Slice from Connecticut, USA.