Nike Vomero 18 GTX review

After cutting the Vomero 18 GTX in half, we found that it is perfect for:

• Heel strikers who want a high cushioned trainer for slow, easy miles.
• Runners in cold or wet climates, who need a shoe made for harsher conditions.
• Those with a neutral gait, who just want a touch of stability without moving to a dedicated stability shoe.

We don't think the Vomero 18 GTX is the right pick for runners seeking a light, responsive ride. It is a heavy shoe that provides little spring to your step. A couple of alternatives that offer similar protection while adding some energy to your runs are the PUMA Magnify Nitro 3 or the Nike Pegasus Premium.

We would also steer warm weather runners away from it. This GORE-TEX upper makes the shoe excel in cold, wet conditions but traps heat as the temperatures climb. So if the weather where you usually run is hot, you'll be better off with the standard version of the Nike Vomero 18.

A true protector of the legs. This is how we think of the Vomero 18 GTX, and at 145 SA in the heel and 113 SA in the forefoot, it falls into the max-cushioned category of running shoes.

As expected, the energy return of the Vomero 18 GTX doesn't change much from its normal version. With 55.9% in the heel and 58.6% in the forefoot, don't expect a very responsive ride.

Modern daily trainers are often characterized by a higher heel stack, and that is exactly what we found here!

With a stack height of 42.2 mm, the Vomero 18 GTX provides a super-cushioned ride that works wonders for heavier runners. Those looking for a shoe that can handle high mileage or who require joint protection will be pleased with this model!

The forefoot got an upgrade over the standard Vomero 18. We measured 31.5 mm for the GTX version, compared with 28.6 mm, which might be confusing at first but could be explained by the thicker insole and the addition of a thicker, waterproof membrane between the insole and the midsole foam.

Raising the forefoot stack height compared to the standard version reduced the drop of the Vomero 18 GTX. We measured a 10.7 mm heel-to-toe drop, which is perfect for heel strikers.

In the photo, it is possible to see the thick waterproof membrane between the blue insole and the white layer of ZoomX.

The ride of the Vomero 18 GTX is very plush, as confirmed by our Asker C measurement of 31.0 AC. All in all, a great shoe if you're looking for comfort on your slower runs.

As per usual, the dual-foam setup is replicated from the standard version to the GTX version of the Vomero 18, with the firmer ReactX compound sitting at the bottom layer. Nike made sure to differentiate those two layers in the heel area!

However, the ReactX we tested here is slightly softer. At 36.9 AC, Nike might have tuned the foam density slightly for a winter shoe, since GTX builds sometimes run marginally firmer.

Not as aggressive as its maximalist trainer rivals, not pancake flat. Somewhere in between, providing a very natural step!

Using our gel test, we generated a replica of the Vomero 18 GTX to analyze its fit.

At 96.9 mm, slightly above average, this shoe feels a tad more spacious than the standard version. Usually, GTX versions have a less flexible upper, so providing more space inside the shoe will definitely help!

The fit didn't improve only in the general width. We also found that the usually tapered toebox, very characteristic of Nike, has improved by 3.5 mm from the standard version, now measuring 73.1 mm.

Very good news for those who have narrow feet, as it will be easier to splay your toes in this version of the Vomero 18. It's nothing too extreme, but we definitely felt the difference.

As GTX uppers feel stiffer and tighter, we were not surprised to see that the toebox height measurement is below average.

At only 24.1 mm, it won't feel too spacious at the beginning or end of a long run, and wiggling your toes in the Vomero 18 GTX will be a challenge.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the Vomero 18 was its modest 0.38 coefficient of friction on wet concrete.

Thankfully, Nike addressed the issue. The Vomero 18 GTX climbed to an impressive 0.64 coefficient of friction, delivering a dramatic improvement and far more confidence than the standard model.

Like every winter-focused model, the Vomero 18 GTX was not adapted only in its upper.

The outsole was upgraded, including the Storm-Tread pattern, which comprises triangular lugs along the entire forefoot and in the heel cup, specifically designed to improve control during your landing phase and help you push off in more slippery conditions.

Flexing the Vomero 18 GTX 30 degrees in our bend test took 15.8N of force! Apparently, the more structured upper did not influence the flexibility of this model.

Don't expect the Vomero 18 GTX to be a nimble shoe. This is a great model for slow, longer runs, but you will definitely feel the 10.8 oz (306g) at the end of them.

One advantage of the GTX models is the slightly more structured upper, which improves stability. Combined with a wide base and ReactX foam, the shoe is stable enough for neutral runners who need to give their stabilizing muscles a break.

Still, those with stability needs may need to look elsewhere for a shoe better suited to them.

The more maximalist design of the Nike Vomero 18 GTX makes it very difficult to twist in either direction. Our custom torsion machine required 18.7 Nm to twist it 10 degrees.

As a Nike staple, this heel counter provides both comfort and structure. After a manual assessment, we rated it 4 out of 5.

Nike was able to balance the stack height of the Vomero 18 GTX, while keeping the width of the base balanced. At 117.0 mm, provides a nice middle way between stability and agility during toe-off.

We were surprised by the width of the Vomero 18 GTX's heel. Nike kept the stack height the same as the standard version, so the 94.9 mm is a downgrade for those seeking stability during heel strike.

Added water-splash protection doesn't mean greater durability. So a 3 out of 5 in our Dremel test, similar to the standard version, means you'll get solid durability from this toebox.

Comfortable AND durable? Yes, this heel padding has it all. We tested it with our Dremel, and it earned our highest score, a 5 out of 5!

We love to see when the outsole durability dips below 1 mm, and the Vomero 18 GTX met our expectations. After our Dremel test, we found 0.8 mm of wear, which is clearly an improvement from the standard version.

If the durability is better but the outsole thickness remains nearly unchanged at 3.7 mm, Nike must have slightly changed the rubber composition to ensure it wears more slowly.

Don't expect anything different in the thickness of this insole. Nike kept the standard design, and at 5.0 mm, it will provide some cushioning, but nothing crazy!

The insole of the Vomero 18 GTX is removable. However, to fully take advantage of the shoe's waterproofing, we recommend keeping it!

Also, Nike added the motto "Stay warm, stay dry, keep running" to the insole, which we think adds a nice touch!

A winter-focused shoe has to shine in the cold! And that is exactly what the Vomero 18 GTX does. With only a 2% increase in firmness after 20 minutes in the freezer, this model is a must-have for those colder, easier runs.

Nike added a wave-like reflective strap and reflective eyelets to the Vomero 18 GTX, ensuring you are seen by cars and motorbikes in low-light conditions.

The GTX version of the Vomero 18 has a slightly different lacing system from the standard version, with what appear to be plastic flaps stitched directly to the upper.

The tongue has a slight decrease in thickness, and the 7.2 mm are an improvement in our eyes. It is also lined with GORE-TEX up to the middle of the foot's dorsum.

We would love to see a fully gusseted tongue in the GTX version of the Vomero 18, but Nike kept a semi-gusseted tongue. If you step into large puddles, the ungusseted part of the shoe might be where water enters.

Always a happy day for us when we see function meeting form, and Nike got that with the heel tab. It is fully integrated into the heel counter and adds a nice touch to the Vomero 18 GTX.

There was a slight price increase from the standard to the GTX version of the Vomero 18, which we fully understand. A shoe designed for harsher conditions comes at a price, and Nike made sure the bump was not a big one.