Our verdict

The On Roger Pro 2 is an eye-catcher for sure. But we were even more thrilled when this sleek silhouette made us feel lightning-fast on the court! We felt confident when cornering, making explosive sprints forward, and stopping aggressively to course correct. Even though it's not the lightest tennis shoe, the Roger Pro 2 helped us pick up the speed with its stiff and stable build. However, we do understand that such a rigid shoe is not everyone's cup of tea, and not everyone is ready to buy the most expensive option on the market at full price considering how many solid alternatives there are.

Pros

  • Feels super fast thanks to snappy design
  • Exceptional support and lateral stability
  • Well-connected to the court
  • Very secure foothold and heel clutch
  • Super strong grip on hard court
  • Ultra-thin breathable upper
  • True to size

Cons

  • Poor upper and toe guard durability
  • Heavier than average
  • Overpriced

Audience verdict

54
Bad!

Who should buy

Incorporating feedback from Roger Federer, the On Roger Pro 2 was designed for advanced players who look for the following:

  • a firm and stiff tennis shoe that feels super-fast on the court
  • a highly stable and supportive shoe without large and clunky sidewalls 
  • a shoe in which court feel dominates cushioning

On The ROGER Pro 2 review

Who should NOT buy

Not everyone is going to feel their best in a firm and hard-to-bend tennis shoe. If you want a better cushioned option that feels more forgiving to the feet, we recommend the ASICS Court FF 3 and the Nike Vapour 11 instead.

Both of these shoes received excellent durability scores and yet are priced more reasonably.

On The ROGER Pro 2 lab test and review

Breathability

An incredibly thin, even translucent, mesh upper of the Roger Pro 2 immediately caught our eyes. But is it just as airy as it looks? We brought a smoke-pumping machine to find out.

We were impressed to see how quickly the smoke escaped through the shoe's toebox, leaving no doubts about its ventilation capacity. The upper is so thin and transparent, we could almost see right through it! Plus, the shoe has perforations all over the tongue for enhanced ventilation.

Curious about the engineering behind this magic mesh, we took a closer look at it through our microscope.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Breathability under microscope

Just look at those mesmerising patterns! This is the most intricate chainlinking we've seen on a shoe but it works wonders with airflow.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Breathability upper under microscope

We trust the Roger Pro 2 to keep your feet refreshed on a hot sunny day and thus give it the maximum breathability score of 5 out of 5!

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 5
Average 3.3
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toe guard durability

Considering the shoe's high price point, we expected an extraordinary level of toe protection and wear resistance from the Roger Pro 2. But once we grabbed our Dremel, we were only 22 seconds away from disappointment...

By the end of the test, our Dremel burnt straight through the rubber overlay! This is unacceptable considering that much cheaper shoes only got a dent in the same conditions.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Toe guard durability test

Unfortunately, the shoe's poor toe drag protection deserves nothing more than 1 out of 5 on the durability scale.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 1

Toebox durability

It's odd to read "abrasion-resistant" in the description of the shoe's mesh considering how paper-thin it is. We fear a single brush against the court will tear this fabric for good.

And just as we anticipated, the mesh failed our 12-second Dremel test in which we exposed it to sandpaper at a 5K RPM speed. The glaring hole convinced us to rate the shoe's toebox mesh durability with the lowest score of 1.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Toebox durability test
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 1
Average 3.8
Compared to 26 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The inner fabric of the Roger Pro 2 seemed a little more promising.

But even though the damage was rather moderate, we couldn't rate the shoe's heel padding durability any higher than 3 out of 5.

With the amount of friction that occurs inside the shoe in professional tennis, we are concerned with the material choices for this expensive shoe.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Heel padding durability test
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 26 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

On the bright side, the rubber outsole of this On tennis shoe seems to be more hard-wearing than the upper.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Outsole hardness

Checking its hardness with a durometer returned 85.5 HC which is a solid reading for a tennis shoe.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 85.5 HC
Average 85.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
73.4 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

A hard rubber compound is a good start but how does it hold up against aggressive wear and tear?

Setting the Dremel speed high (10K RPM), we tested the limits of the shoe's outsole for 22 seconds. Luckily, the dent turned out to be as minor as 0.8 mm which is an average result among high-performance tennis shoes.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Outsole durability test
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 0.8 mm
Average 0.7 mm
Compared to 26 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Checking the shoe's outsole thickness further raised our confidence in it. In the heel (where the traction pattern is smoother), our calliper showed a standard reading of 4.3 mm.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Outsole thickness

But in the forefoot (where lugs are protruding), we measured a whole millimetre more! At 5.6 mm, this is one of the stoutest tennis shoe outsoles we've come across.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Outsole thickness forefoot lugs
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 4.3 mm
Average 4.1 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
3.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Weight

During the playtest, the On Roger Pro 2 felt lightning fast on our feet! So when we put it on the scale, we were genuinely surprised by its static weight.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Weight

At 14.4 oz (407g) in a men's US size 9, it is about 1.5 ounces heavier than average! And yet it feels quick thanks to its stable, responsive, and grippy construction.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 14.36 oz (407g)
Average 12.84 oz (364g)
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
10.30 oz (292g)
Weight
14.71 oz (417g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

We found the On Roger Pro 2 to be a moderately cushioned tennis shoe with a pronounced court feel.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Heel stack

Based on our calliper measurements, its heel stack height comes in at 29.2 mm which is an average for the tennis shoe category.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 29.2 mm
Average 29.3 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
25.3 mm
Heel stack
33.0 mm

Forefoot stack

The shoe's forefoot stack also showed nothing other than an average - 20.1 mm.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Forefoot stack

Considering that hard rubber comprises about 5.5 mm of that stack, the balls of our feet did not feel spoiled by cushioning at all.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 20.1 mm
Average 19.6 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
17.0 mm
Forefoot stack
23.4 mm

Drop

According to the brand's official specs, the Roger Pro 2 has a heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm. Our own measurements came very close to that number showing 9.1 mm. But this minor difference can hardly be felt on foot.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Drop

Tennis shoes tend to have a moderate heel elevation of 8-10 mm which puts the foot in an optimal position for the sport. The heel packs more foam for impact protection and takes the pressure off the Achilles while the forefoot sits closer to the ground allowing better control over the footwork.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 9.1 mm
Average 9.7 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
6.3 mm
Drop
12.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Designed to generate speed, this On shoe offers a very firm underfoot experience.

This can either be a blessing or a deal breaker, depending on what kind of platform you are looking for. Some people prefer this unforgiving setup as it helps them get up and go in a split-second while others will be turned off by the lack of comfort and shock absorption.

The shoe's midsole is on the firmer side of our tennis shoe catalogue. With a durometer reading of 32.3 HA, we found it to be 10% firmer than average.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Midsole softness

Even though the Roger Pro 2 returns nearly as much energy as you give it, it can also leave your feet and legs more beat up by the end of the session.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 32.3 HA
Average 29.0 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
20.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
34.0 HA

Insole thickness

A touch of cushioning is offered by the shoe's moderately padded insole. We measured its thickness at 4.5 mm in the heel area.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Insole thickness
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 4.5 mm
Average 5.2 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
3.9 mm
Insole thickness
8.5 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

The On Roger Pro 2 kept us exceptionally surefooted as we dashed from side to side, took off, and bounced back from each shot. Because we didn't lose any time or energy on stabilising our feet, the experience felt dynamic and speedy.

We attribute this agile experience to the shoe's firm and grounded platform as well as internal and external stabilising components.

Torsional rigidity

As a whole, the Roger Pro 2 feels remarkably stiff. Our manual test showed that it is nearly impossible to twist!

Even when we applied maximum force, the shoe didn't yield at all! This amount of torsional rigidity certainly deserves the highest score of 5.

On The ROGER Pro 2 lateral TPU clips

We believe that the stiffness comes from the shoe's sturdy TPU clips on the sides as well as the carbon fibre Speedboard plate inside the midsole.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 5
Average 4.3
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

A sturdy multi-layered heel counter is another major stability element of the shoe.

Assessing its rigidity on a 1-5 scale, we confidently gave it a high score of 4. It completely refused to give in as we tried to push and squeeze it in our manual test.

On The ROGER Pro 2 heel counter

On the court, this translated to a pretty firm heel clutch that didn't allow our heels and ankles to shift around. In addition, our heels seemed to have sunk into the shoe's generous heel padding which prevented heel slips.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 4
Average 3.9
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

Last but not least, the On Roger Pro 2 has a pretty large landing and push-off area.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Midsole width in the forefoot

We found it to be even larger than average measuring the widest part of the forefoot at 115.1 mm.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 115.1 mm
Average 111.7 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
105.3 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
117.4 mm

Midsole width in the heel

Checking the heel, our calliper showed a standard measurement of 89.2 mm in the widest part. This is a solid midsole width to create a stable and reliable base.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 89.2 mm
Average 89.8 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
82.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
99.7 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

The On Roger Pro 2 proved to be some of the stiffest tennis shoes we've tested in our lab.

On The ROGER Pro 2 tread pattern

This is primarily due to the Speedboard plate embedded into its midsole. This carbon fibre layer caused the shoe to snap right back each time we bent our feet on the court, generating a notable energy return and an enhanced sense of speed.

For reference, it took 35% more force to bend the Roger Pro 2 to a 90-degree angle compared to an average tennis shoe. Requiring as much as 40.5N, this On shoe felt very snappy.

On The ROGER Pro 2 flexibility

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 40.5N
Average 30.2N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
18.8N
Stiffness
44.9N

Grip / Traction

Featuring an open herringbone tread pattern, the On Roger Pro 2 treated us to a very strong grip on the hard court.

On The ROGER Pro 2 outsole

We were able to stop on a sixpence and push off with maximum force while retaining speed on corners. At the same time, sliding felt effortless too.

Size and fit

Internal length

On recommends going true to size in the Roger Pro 2 and we can subscribe to that.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Internal length

Our calliper showed a heel-to-toe length of 271.0 mm in a men's US size 9. On foot, it also felt on point length-wise and we had no issues with too much or too little in-shoe space.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 271.0 mm

Toebox width at the widest part

The shoe's toebox also provides a reasonably accommodating fit. In the widest part, it even offers a few millimetres more than the average tennis shoe.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Toebox width at the widest part

We believe this little buffer is necessary considering the risk of that lateral TPU clip pressing against the pinkie toe.

On The ROGER Pro 2 fit

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 105.0 mm
Average 101.1 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
97.8 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
105.0 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

The Roger Pro 2 tapers very moderately towards the toes, showing a standard 76.4 mm of width near the big toe.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 76.4 mm
Average 76.7 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
74.8 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
79.8 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The shoe's midfoot hold is very well taken care of by a semi-gusseted tongue design a.k.a internal half-bootie construction.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Tongue: gusset type

We didn't have to worry about tongue sliding or foot twisting inside the shoe thanks to its secure hold.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 Both sides (semi)

Laces

Additional eyelets allow you to customise the lacing for a more secure lockdown.

On The ROGER Pro 2 extra eyelet

And there is a little play on words in the shoe's aglets - "Put me ON."

On The ROGER Pro 2 aglet Put Me On

Comfort

The shoe's forefoot stack also showed nothing other than an average - 20.1 mm.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Forefoot stack

Considering that hard rubber comprises about 5.5 mm of that stack, the balls of our feet did not feel spoiled by cushioning at all.

Tongue padding

The On Roger Pro 2 didn't feel particularly cushy or padded from the inside but it packed enough foam to protect our insteps from the lace pressure.

Our calliper measured a standard tongue thickness of 6.7 mm in the shoe.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Tongue padding

Most of the padding is concentrated in the shoe's collar but, as you can see, the rest of the shoe is pretty minimal and feels more like second skin.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 6.7 mm
Average 7.9 mm
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
2.5 mm
Tongue padding
13.1 mm

Heel tab

The absence of finger loops and pull tabs wasn't a problem thanks to the structured heel counter which made it easy to slide into the shoe.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Heel tab
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 None

Removable insole

The insole of the Roger Pro 2 is easy to remove in case a custom orthotic is needed.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Removable insole

But we didn't feel the need to swap it because it felt optimal for the shoe's overall stable and speedy build. Plus, the back side of it is covered in small indentations that help keep the insole in place during intense movements.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Removable insole back view
Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 Yes

Price

We believe that the asking price of the On The Roger Pro 2 is too high. Even though this tennis shoe has many advantages, we don't think it justifies paying a lot more than the average price.

On The ROGER Pro 2 Price

It seems like On forces you to pay more for the brand name, the reference to Roger Federer, and the visual appeal that stands out from a typical tennis shoe look.

Having thoroughly tested dozens of tennis shoes, we found that some of the best-performing tennis shoes on the market are priced much more reasonably.

Test results
The ROGER Pro 2 $200
Compared to 28 hard court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
£65
Price
£200