Nike Vapor Pro vs Nike Vapor Speed
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Vapor Pro loft | Vapor Speed loft | Vapor Pro lie | Vapor Speed lie | Vapor Pro length | Vapor Speed length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 21 | 19 | 59 | 59 | 39.25 | 39.75 |
| 4 | 24 | 21 | 60 | 60 | 38.75 | 39.25 |
| 5 | 27 | 24 | 61 | 61 | 38.25 | 38.75 |
| 6 | 31 | 28 | 62 | 62 | 37.75 | 38.25 |
| 7 | 35 | 32 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 37.25 | 37.75 |
| 8 | 39 | 36 | 63 | 63 | 36.75 | 37.25 |
| 9 | 43 | 40 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 36.25 | 36.75 |
| PW | 47 | 44 | 64 | 64 | 36 | 36.5 |
| AW | — | 49 | — | 64 | — | 36.25 |
| SW | — | 54 | — | 64 | — | 36 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Vapor Pro
- Vapor Speed
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Vapor Pro is 35° and the Vapor Speed is 32°, a 3° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Vapor Speed should carry roughly 9 to 12 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Vapor Pro. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the Vapor Speed averages 2.9° stronger, with the largest gap at the 4-iron (24° vs 21°). The pitching wedges are 47° and 44°; the stronger one leaves a 6° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the Vapor Speed 7-iron is 0.5 inches longer (37.25" vs 37.75").
The sets are built differently: the Vapor Pro runs 3-iron to PW (8 clubs), the Vapor Speed 3-iron to SW (10 clubs).
The Vapor Pro is a players iron and the Vapor Speed a game improvement iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The Vapor Speed is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Vapor Pro trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The Vapor Pro is listed as forged cavity back and the Vapor Speed as cast cavity back with face-centred weighting. Forging, as in the Vapor Pro, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the Vapor Speed, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons.
Both sets were introduced in 2014, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Nike designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The Vapor Speed is the stronger-lofted set — up to 3° stronger than the Vapor Pro on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Nike Vapor Pro specs and Nike Vapor Speed specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nike Vapor Pro stronger lofted than the Vapor Speed?
No. The Vapor Speed is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 32° against 35° for the Nike Vapor Pro, 3° stronger and worth roughly 9 to 12 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Nike Vapor Pro and Vapor Speed?
At the 7-iron the difference is 3° (35° vs 32°). The largest gap on a shared club is 3° at the 4-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Nike Vapor Pro or the Vapor Speed?
The Vapor Speed. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Nike Vapor Pro is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Nike Vapor Pro and Vapor Speed have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Nike Vapor Pro is 62.5° lie and 37.25 inches, the Vapor Speed 62.5° and 37.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
Compare prices for new and used sets on eBay:
We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you.