50 Words or Less
The Nike Vapor Pro Combo Irons are easily one of the best sets for the better player. Easy-to-hit long irons blended with precision scoring irons. Seamless transitions from one club to the next.
Introduction
Nike has released a number of fantastic combo iron sets over the last twelve years, but none has arrived with the fanfare of the Vapor Pro Combos. Powered by Nike’s “Modern Muscle” technology, these irons boast perfectly centered sweet spots, something few, if any, other players irons can claim. Just as important, the center of gravity of each club is precision engineered to deliver optimal ball flight.
Looks
If you’re going to get better players to bag an iron, it has to look great, and the Nike Vapor Pro Combos do. The toplines are, in my opinion, perfect. They’re not so thick that they look like shovels, but they’re not so thin that they’re scary. The offset is minimal throughout the set, and the shape of the blades is slightly square without being boxy.
The thing I like most of all is that this combo set doesn’t look like a combo set. There isn’t a clear transition from the long to mid to short irons; everything just flows from one club to the next.
It’s also worth mentioning that these irons have tons of in-bag appeal. I love the big Volt-colored swoosh on the toe, the details in the cavity, and even the font of the numbers of the irons. As usual, Nike went the extra mile to make sure that these irons were the complete package in terms of looks.
Sound & Feel
Good swings are rewarded with a soft feel and a quiet impact sound with minimal “click.” Hitting the ball on the toe or heel feels firm and sounds a bit louder.
What really impresses me about the Nike Vapor Pro Combos is that the feel is so consistent throughout the set. Though four of the irons have the RZN-filled cavity (see above) and four don’t (see below), the feel is nearly identical throughout the set.
Performance
In judging a combo set, I want to ask two questions: do the long irons have forgiveness and do the short irons allow for precise shot-making. With the Nike Vapor Pro Combo irons, the answer to both questions is, “Yes.”
Regular readers will know that I’m not one to exaggerate my ball striking ability – I can miss the sweet spot with the best of them – but the 4-iron from this set made me seriously consider putting more long irons into my bag. Shot after shot, I was getting consistent distance, trajectory, and outstanding accuracy. For someone whose iron set stops at a 5-iron, this was quite a pleasant surprise. If you’re already playing a 4-iron, and have a swing with plenty of horsepower, you may even want to consider the 2I and 3I that are available through custom order.
With the short irons, you’ll only be limited by your own ability. With the right swing, I was able to work the ball both ways and control trajectory easily. The club does not fight you – it’s a blank canvas for your swing. The perfectly centered sweet spot also becomes more apparent, and more of an asset, in the short irons. I used some impact tape during testing and confirmed that shots anywhere on the heel-side of center actually felt like heel shots. For players with a tendency to hit the heel of the club, this centered sweet spot helps to correct that bad habit instead of reinforcing it and bringing the dreaded S-word into play.
Finally, I want to remark on the excellent choice that Nike made in using the True Temper DG Pro as their stock shaft in this set. Not only is this a great feeling iron shaft, its flighted design enhances the performance of this set perfectly.
Conclusion
Whether you’re already a scratch player or aspiring to be one, I think the Nike Vapor Pro Combo iron set is one of the best available. It’s a set that makes no compromises in terms of looks or feel, delivers forgiveness and help in the long irons, and offers the ability to hit precision shots with the short irons.
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Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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What will be the RRP for the pro combo irons
Eric,
I’m sorry, I’m not sure what RRP is.
Best,
Matt
Curious as to which you would recommend for a 5 handicap. I’ve been debating the vapor pro vs the pro combo for a while now. My ball striking isn’t much of an issue for me, I have just felt that a pure blade is for someone much better than me but I hit them so well. In your opinion (I know that there is a lot more to look at but,) what should I play as a 5 handicapper the blade or the combo?
-Thanks again for your review.
Brandon,
I would play the Pro Combo, hands down. As long as you have the right shaft, there’s very, very little, if anything, that you’re giving up with the Combos but with the Pros you are sacrificing significant forgiveness in the long irons. Especially after studying some of the newer data from books like “Every Shot Counts,” I think the value of those extra yards on a mishit 4I is huge.
Best,
Matt
As a player who likes the Pro Combos and AP2’s, which would you recommend? Ive demoed both sets and honestly both feel great. you know you have a great product with titleist, and obviously nike stepped there game up with these new irons but not known for the golf brand, which would you choose to go with?
thanks. golfer with 8-10 handicap
Martin,
I prefer the Nike’s, primarily for the scoring irons. I think the AP2’s are a little bulky in the short irons. Neither is a bad choice, but that would be my preference.
As an aside, is Nike ever going to shake the “not a golf brand,” thing? They’ve been making good equipment for years and exceptional stuff for the last few.
Best,
Matt
I’m about an 11 handicap looking for new irons (and perhaps a driving irons). I demo’ed the Taylor Made RS2 and like them but didn’t try the Nike Vapor Pro Combo. How do these compare? What should i look at as driving irons (instead of hybrids)?
I don’t think the RSi2 compares well to the Vapor Pro Combo in terms of looks or feel. The Vapor Pro Combos probably aren’t as long (lofts aren’t as strong), but they’re extremely playable.
For driving irons, the new Srixon is very good as is the TaylorMade.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Any chance at the vapor drivers review sometime soon?
Hopefully soon. As always, the best thing to do if you want to see a particular product reviewed here is to get on social media and let the manufacturer know.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
I am a 1 handicap colligate golfer and Im debating between the Nike Pro and Pro Combo irons. I’ve tested them both out and liked them both a lot. Which do you recommend?
Tanner,
For me, there’s no reason not to take the extra forgiveness that the long irons in the Pro Combos can offer.
Good luck this season!
-Matt
I aspire to get to single digit handicap. I am at 16 handicap now. I like the Nike Vapor Irons and am looking for a recommendation on which irons to purchase. The vapor speed vs. vapor pro combo. Thanks
Jeff,
As with any equipment decision, the question is, “What do you want?” There’s nothing about the Vapor Speeds that would stop you from playing them as a single digit. However, if you value feel, look, and additional shot shaping ability over forgiveness, the Pro Combos are fantastic.
Whichever way you go, please make sure to be fit for the correct shaft, length, and lie.
Best,
Matt
Do you think these are worth an upgrade, I played last years VR forged combo off a 2 handicap?
Joe,
Assuming the same shaft, I doubt you’d see a major difference in performance.
Best,
Matt
Any thoughts on the Mizuno 850 forged vs the Vapor Pro combos? In particular on the forgiveness side. I’m a 12 handicap, pretty solid iron player and Driver can be suspect.
Thanks for the reviews!
James,
If forgiveness is what you want, I would probably favor the Mizunos very slightly, but it’s not a big difference. In every other aspect, I would prefer the Vapor Pro Combos.
Best,
Matt
I am curious about the durability of the pro combo irons. Is this an iron set I should consider putting club head covers on?
Mike,
There’s no need for iron covers to keep these in playable condition. If you want them look perfect, sure, iron covers will help.
Best,
Matt
Have u tried the srixon 745 irons and how does that compare to da vapor pro combos….I’m hitting a gm improvement irons right now n would like to transition into a better players iron…which of da two irons would be appropriate for my skill level …..I’m a 12-15 handicap
Angelo,
Srixon did not provide any irons for us to review, so I haven’t tested them much. I like the Nike Vapor Pro Combos very much for transitional or better players.
Best,
Matt
I´m a 16 hdc, im thinking to purchase these clubs because im a good irons player, but i need some forgiveness in the long irons, Do you think that these set can suit my game?? Im a long hitting player too my 7 iron carry about 185-190.
Alejo,
Sounds like they could, but I would recommend being fit to make sure.
Best,
Matt
Alejo,
I’m a similar handicap and also am a very long iron player with my 7i carrying 180-185. But on the same note I wasn’t the best long iron player(4,5i), so I got the 4 and 5 in the vapor speed version for extra forgiveness. I now wish I didn’t do this as my 6 iron is my favorite club in my bag, the pro combo irons with the rzn cavity are fantastic, and I might even buy a 3i. But if you are worried about long irons, my 4 and 5 in the speed version have given me good forgiveness and a bit more length than I believe the rzn cavity would give. (4i carry 235)
Hi, I am debating between these and the TM Rsi Tp iron set, or Rsi2. How would you compare the sets, I am a 10 handicap, generally good with my irons, although lately I have been picking the ball and missing it on towards the toe. I am coming from Cobra Fly Z pro irons, I loved the look and feel but need a little more forgiveness, however I don’t want to look at a bulky head with a ton of offset.
I prefer the Vapor Pro Combos. I don’t think the feel of either TaylorMade set is particularly good, and the forgiveness with the slots is just ok. I’m a big fan of the combo set concept.
Best,
Matt
Hello Matt,
I’ve been playing the Nike VRS forged irons past 2 years and, as a result, found better ‘feel’ and more birdie opps; I play to around 15 and seriously considering either the Covert 2.0 forged or Vapor Pro Combo. What are your thoughts, pros and cons on either?
Thanks,
Steve
Steve,
The Covert 2.0 Forged is a bit thicker than anything in the Pro Combo set. They’ll probably be more similar to what you currently have. I prefer the Pro Combos, but that’s because I love the combo set concept and the way it works for my game.
As always: try both and get fit.
Best,
Matt
How would these pro combos compare to the forgiveness of the ping s55 or ping I ei irons?
Tim,
With the caveat that I have no direct comparison and it’s been a while since some of these clubs have been tested: I think the Pro Combos are on a par with the S55. They may be a bit easier to hit in the long irons. I think the new I iron is a bit more forgiving overall.
Best,
Matt
Great review. I currently have the Nike Vapor Pro Combo’s 3-PW and love them! I was fitted with the DG Pro X100 since I didn’t want to pay an upcharge, but I have a set of Project X Pxi iron’s I’m thinking of switching to. I’m interested in your opinion on that set up since I read your review on the Pxi’s as well. Thanks!
Chris,
Unfortunately, I didn’t write the review of the PXi, so I can’t comment on how they might perform in these irons.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the review of the clubs. I started golfing four years ago and have handicap 13 right now. I have TaylorMade Rocketbladez right now but I’m thinking about buying a set of these because I want to move on. I’m looking for a bit more feel in my irons and like the look of a blade. The only thing is I’m a bit worried about the forgiveness of the clubs (with the dg pro stiff shafts).
Are these clubs a bridge too far for me?
Thanks in advance,
Willem
Willem,
There’s no way to know without giving them a swing. It will be a transition, but probably not as much as you think. As always: get fit.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
Are the Miura CB-1008 anything like these pro combos? do the CB1008 has thin top lines and soles like the vapor pro combos? I currently play these Nikes but im very interested in the cb 1008’s. I am not a fan of wide soles and thick top lines and was hoping the Miuras aren’t like that. These nikes are probably closest thing to a blade and i love the looks, hoping i will love the cb 1008s as well. can you compare the two for me?
Thanks!
Matthew,
I have a full review of the Miura CB 1008 here: https://pluggedingolf.com/miura-golf-cb-1008-irons-review/
Best,
Matt
Matt,
What new irons would be the most comparable to these? Had a set and loved them. Moved to different ones and was curious as to what might be good to look at when I’m looking at a new set.
Jordan,
Any players cavity back would be a fine starting point – PING i230, Mizuno JPX923 Forged, etc.
-Matt