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Nike is in the middle of a major overhaul of its training shoe lineup. For several years, the brand has been pouring much of its innovation into carbon fiber racing shoes like the Alphafly 3 and Vaporfly 4, and competitors like Hoka, Asics, New Balance, and Brooks have surged ahead in the daily trainer category.
Recognizing the growing demand for max-cushioned trainers, Nike has overhauled its everyday cushioned-shoe lineup and is creating three distinct versions of the classic, trusted Vomero. The base model, referred to as the “Icon” by Nike, is the Vomero 18. Two premium options, the Nike Vomero Plus and the Nike Vomero Premium, will be released this summer. Each tier upgrade brings enhanced foam, improved technology, and a more refined ride.
Set to launch on August 2, the Nike Vomero Plus sits one level above the Vomero 18. We got an early pair to test out. Here are our first impressions and thoughts on who should be considering a pair.
Nike Vomero Plus Review
Weight: 10.3 oz (men’s 10) / 8.5 oz (women’s 8)
Stack Heights: 45–35 mm
Heel-to-toe Drop: 10 mm
At A Glance
Pros
+ Heavily padded tongue and heel collar is extremely comfortable
+ Smooth, highly cushioned ride
+ An ounce lighter than the Vomero 18
+ Peppy for such a plush shoe
Cons
– Loud slapping sound when running
– Little ground feel
Nike Vomero Plus: First Impressions
Whether it’s a lasting shift or just a passing trend, it’s clear that thick-soled, max-cushioned shoes are dominating the market right now. Just a few years ago, a 35-millimeter heel stack was considered high; today’s max-cushioned models, like the Vomero Plus, are pushing 10 millimeters higher than that, and beyond.
I’m not complaining: I readily admit I have a soft spot for thick-soled, heavily cushioned shoes. It might be a full-blown addiction. After more than 30 years of competitive running, my body has come to crave that plush, forgiving ride.
When I first stepped into the Vomero Plus, I knew immediately this was my kind of shoe. Everything about the Vomero Plus is plush, from the thick stack of soft foam underfoot to the most heavily padded tongue and heel collar I’ve worn.
At a glance, it’s easy to confuse the Vomero Plus with its sibling, the Vomero 18. The engineered mesh upper has a few subtle design differences, but both shoes share the same sculpted midsole look. Wavy, contoured lines draw attention to the heel, where “ZoomX” is boldly stamped—drawing attention to Nike’s signature, light, soft, and bouncy cushioning material. Unlike the PEBA-based ZoomX found in their groundbreaking super shoes, however, this version uses a TPE-based foam said to be more durable, and seeming, on first impressions, to have similar properties.
The Vomero 18 pairs ZoomX with a bottom layer of more stable ReactX foam, while the Vomero Plus features a full ZoomX midsole. I quickly noticed the difference on the run: The Plus has a much smoother and peppier ride. Surprisingly, given its plush feel, the Vomero Plus actually sits one millimeter lower than the Vomero 18. It’s also more than an ounce lighter, which helps explain its speedier feel.
My initial test run was meant to be a recovery run, since I had done a fartlek the day before, but I found myself unconsciously slipping into a quicker pace without much effort. The ZoomX midsole injects a bit of spring into each stride, giving the shoe a subtle but noticeable pop. Even though I wasn’t pushing the pace hard, the cushioning felt lively enough to encourage a quicker turnover. It’s not an inherently fast shoe, but I wouldn’t call it slow.
Despite all the foam underfoot, the forefoot offers a good amount of flex (credit the soft ZoomX foam). This allowed my metatarsals to bend and engage, resulting in a more natural and efficient toe-off. While minimalist enthusiasts will likely find it’s too much material underfoot, I think most runners will appreciate the balance between protection and flexibility.
The only downside was the noise. The ride, while exceptionally smooth, was surprisingly loud. Other shoes with Nike’s ZoomX foam, like the Vaporfly, are known for producing a loud slapping sound as the sole hits the ground—and the Vomero Plus was no exception.
Nike Vomero Plus: The Verdict
I’ve historically been lukewarm on Nike’s everyday cushioned trainers, but the Vomero Plus, in my opinion, stands as one of the top max-cushioned shoes on the market. It’s well cushioned, but not so much that it’s mushy and unstable, and offers just the right amount of responsiveness when you need to pick up the pace. Compared to max-cushioned models from Hoka, Asics, New Balance, and Brooks, the Vomero Plus stands in a category of its own. Think of it as a faster Brooks Glycerin Max, a plusher Asics Superblast 2, or a plateless alternative to the New Balance Supercomp Trainer v3 or the Hoka Skyward X.
I found it leaps and bounds better than the Vomero 18 in just about every aspect: comfort, ride quality, performance, and just plain fun. It’s well worth $25 more than the Vomero 18. That said, the Vomero 18 might still appeal to runners who prefer a more muted, less bouncy ride for everydays miles and who are put off by the audible “slap” that comes with the full ZoomX midsole.
Nike Vomero Plus: Who It’s For
Outside of those who prefer a minimal, ground-sensory running experience, I can’t think of any runner who wouldn’t appreciate the Vomero Plus. While the 45 millimeter stack height is a hefty amount of foam underfoot, it didn’t feel like too much. For beginners, it delivers a plush, comfortable ride that could easily serve as a do-it-all shoe, suitable for easy runs to race day. For the more experienced runner, it’s an excellent plush trainer for everyday, easy-to-moderately paced runs and longer efforts.
Similar Shoes
Asics Superblast, New Balance Supercomp Trainer v3, Brooks Glycerin Max, Hoka Skyward X