Martin Hopley
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With the original Nike Vapor range of drivers I nearly reviewed the Vapor Flex driver separately, but decided it was close enough to the other two to be part of the same family.

However now the Vapor Flex 440 driver is not named as part of the Vapor Fly driver clan, it gets its own page.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

It is not just the name that leads us to this, because the Vapor Flex 440 driver is a totally different construction. The head is essentially two parts, with the face and leading edge being made out of titanium and the rear section made out of a lighter, stronger RZN material infused with Carbon Fibre.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

RZN is Nike's special material that they use where they need strength combined with light weight. There are over 20 different variations in production for use in drivers, fairways, irons and golf balls, amongst other things.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

This design concept is not really new as Callaway were creating FT drivers with titanium front sections and lighter carbon crowns over 10 years ago. It works because the RZN crown is stronger than titanium whilst saving weight so that means the spare weight can be moved around the head to maximise performance.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

The manifests itself in the adjustable FlightPod weight that was also in the previous model. This is a cylinder with a 9.5g weight at one end and a 0.5g weight at the other that can be inserted forwards or backwards into the driver head.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

If you insert the heavier yellow end facing towards the front of the head then that will lower the spin by around 300rpm with a lower flight than if you switch it around and have the heavier weight at the back.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

Like the Vapor Fly models, the Covert Cavity on the Flex 440 has been made larger around the FlightPod channel compared to before in order to increase the Moment of Inertia and forgiveness on off centre hits.

You can also see that the Volt coloured compression channel at the front is also wider than before to enable the face to deliver more ball speed at impact than before.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

The dimensions of the head are also much bigger at 14.2mm deeper front to back and 2.9mm taller in the face. This gives a larger face area of 169.4 cm2 and a 30cc larger head volume than before at 440cc, hence the name.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

Having a head size less than 460cc enables Nike to have the space to add adjustable features like the FlightPod and the FlexLoft 2.0 adjustable hosel that enables you to move the loft through 5 settings from 8.5° to 12.5°.

The black crown also features a honeycomb pattern across a section of the head to further reduce weight by making the crown thinner.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

There is a choice of shafts as standard including a UST Elements Chrome and a new limited edition Mitsubishi Diamana Blue with Kevlar in the butt and Boron in the tip.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

In addition there is also a new black Mitsubishi Tensei shaft not shown that feels really good.

The Photo Blue front section really stands out from the black face and crown at address and almost acts like an alignment aid in its own right. Apart from the Volt channel the looks are dark and not to flashy which may appeal to some more than the Vapor Fly drivers.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

The sound is a little more muted because the larger RZN body reduces the frequency of the impact sounds, but I felt it still sounded very solid.

It also felt very solid at impact and even with the FlightPod in the rear, high launch setting, it still produced a lower trajectory than the Vapor Fly Pro driver.

All the technology does its thing and really it is 'as you were' with the Flex version of the Nike driver range. This is a driver aimed at higher swing speed players who generate a lot of spin because it is the lower spinning of three new Nike drivers.

Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver

The head is a little larger and more traditionally shaped than the original Flex, but in this case I do think the blue section improves the look and the blue swoosh on the heel is less in your face than the volt version.

It is also a little more expensive as you are paying for the extra materials and adjustability and if this is the best driver for you out of the three on a launch monitor then you won't go wrong. However all things being equal I would follow Rory and head for the Vapor Fly Pro driver.

Golfalot Rating: 4 stars
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Nike Vapor Flex 440 Driver - Product Details

UK Launch04 March 2016
UK Launch RRP£379.99
USA Launch04 March 2016
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityLeft, Right
Left Handed Lofts8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5°, 12.5°
Right Handed Lofts8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5°, 12.5°
MaterialTitanium, Composite
Head Volume440 cc
AdjustabilityLoft, Weight
Shaft NameMitsubishi Diamana S+ Limited 60
Shaft TypesGraphite
Shaft FlexRegular, Stiff, X Stiff
Shaft Weight50g
GripGolf Pride Z-Grip
Manufacturer's WebsiteNike Website

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User Reviews

Dominic
September 2017

Just got this driver and I am replacing my XR driver. Hit fairways consistently and only missed a couple and it didn't punish me at all. It feels way different and sounds different but I like it. Low ball flights but strong and far. I recommend this driver.

Kevin Huck
May 2017

Very nice driver, it takes time to play around with settings but love it. Drive straight and longer than my friends do lol, now I just need a set of Nike Vapor irons 😊🏌️.

February 2017

Played 3 rounds with it and my ball flight has never been straighter and I am 20 yards longer off the tee. It has the Diamana limited stiff shaft and it's awesome as well. Awesome combination.

January 2017

Just replaced my XR Pro with this after hitting a demo of it at the range a few times. I finally caught it at an excellent price. Played 1st round with it today and I'm really, really satisfied. I'm an 8 handicap and love hitting high, baby-cuts. This driver does exactly that and allows me to control it more than my XR. Distance is about the same as my XR, but I can control the Flex a lot more.

August 2016

I'm a 5 handicap and was previously hitting the Covert 2.0. Paired this driver with a Graphite Design Tour AD shaft and have easily gained 20 yards. One of the straightest drivers I have hit and also very forgiving. Feels very soft. The sound at first sounds really odd but overtime you grow to like it more and more after the ball fly's long and straight consistently.

August 2016

I love this beast of a driver - straight and long and better than last years model. It is a keeper.

July 2016

Very long and very straight! Did I say how straight! Yes, I will say it again straight! I've been old school for the last 25 years still hitting a great big bertha. A golf buddy let me hit his a few times. I now own my new Nike Vapor Flex 440!!!!

May 2016

Played one round with the Vapor Flex 440, as everyone is saying the damn thing goes straight, no I mean really straight. I hit three balls on the range with the "gamer" Taylormade R1 and three with the Vapor Flex 440, the Taylormade went back to the trunk. What I like the most is the lower ball flight and additional roll in the fairways, we played in a two club wind last week and still managed to keep it out of trouble all the way around. Good stuff from NIKE, I suggest you go get one...

April 2016

Bought this driver two weeks ago and it's my best purchase ever!!! Very consistent driving and longer distance. Really happy with this.

March 2016

Just purchased and I was fitted with the Diamana S+ Limited 60 stiff.

Love the ball flight. Low and penetrating on a windy day. Carry 245-255 on 102 mph ss. Wet fairways here, but I expects a ton of rollout when we dry out. No left or right. I typically play a 10 yrd fade. Ball took off straight and stayed on target. Confidence inspiring! It was an odd thing for me to hold a straight line with a driver. Played with the setup a bit, but landed on 11.5 straight with FlexPod CG set low. Felt and sounded like my ping persimmon from the 90's.

February 2016

I hit this today and it is very solid. and it sounds good. I was swinging harder and harder and it just kept taking it and transferring to the ball. A very nice driver.

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