Nike Vomero Plus review

We tested the Vomero Plus in the lab and found that:

• It’s a strong option for runners who miss the first two generations of the Nike Invincible, which we loved for its fun ride. While different in areas like flexibility, it delivers similar vibes at times thanks to its full ZoomX midsole.
• Runners looking for a daily trainer with energetic bounce and outstanding shock absorption will enjoy it.
• It performs wonderfully as an easy-day or recovery shoe for everyone.
• Heel strikers will appreciate its solid stability, plush comfort, and high drop.

We believe that the Vomero Plus is not the best option for runners worried about weight. It feels heavy when compared with other high-stack trainers like the ASICS Superblast 2 or even the Hoka Clifton 10. From our perspective, if you dislike a sluggish feel, we suggest considering those lighter alternatives.

Additionally, we think the high price of the Vomero Plus makes it less appealing against models like the ASICS Novablast 5 or even the lower-tier Nike Vomero 18. While it does feature a full ZoomX midsole, we’re convinced that not every runner truly needs that.

The Nike Vomero Plus is perfect for runners who want maximum impact protection. That impression is obvious when simply picking up the shoe and looking at its oversized profile, but it’s even better to have proper confirmation from our lab testing.

To give perspective, we tested and recorded 147 SA in the heel and 131 SA in the forefoot. For comparison, the Nike Pegasus 41 measured only 125/92 SA, a huge difference that truly highlights the max-cushion character of this shoe. And if you want even more, Nike also offers the Pegasus Premium with a pillowy 155 SA in the heel.

Many would expect the Vomero Plus with ZoomX to hit over 70% in our energy return test, yet we measured 67.1% in the heel and 68.8% in the forefoot.

While it doesn’t hit supershoe-like levels because of its training-focused design with a thicker outsole rubber for durability, it still ranks near the top and outperforms most competitors in the daily trainer category.

To achieve this level of shock absorption, the shoe packs a massive layer of ZoomX foam underfoot.

We measured 42.3 mm in the heel, making it a top choice for runners seeking to cross the 40 mm threshold and embrace today’s max-stack trend.

The forefoot is also super high at 32.7 mm, standing out clearly when compared to other shoes in our interactive chart. As a result, we can confirm that midfoot and forefoot strikers needing maximum impact protection for demanding long runs are 100% supported with the Vomero Plus.

This shoe features the standard drop Nike uses in most of its daily trainers, measuring 9.6 mm and nearly matching the official 10 mm. It delivers a familiar ride for loyal Nike runners and works especially well for heel strikers.

Nike used to rely on a low-cost, durability-focused version of ZoomX for every shoe outside the supershoe line. That changed over the past year, as models like the Pegasus Premium and this Vomero Plus now use a formulation strikingly close to what we tested in the Nike Alphafly 3.

With 15.1 HA of softness, the foot simply sinks into the foam delivering a plush ride, yet it rebounds with a lively response that feels energetic. That’s the major difference compared to shoes like the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5, which pack a mountain-high stack but often provide a flatter, less dynamic ride that can feel dead during long runs.

The rocker of the Vomero Plus is subtle in the front, and more pronounced in the heel. We think it’s designed with rearfoot strikers in mind, helping them roll gently forward without harsh landings.

Compared to many max-stack trainers that use aggressive, forward-leaning rockers for midfoot or forefoot strikers, this one feels far more traditional.

From the moment we stepped into the Vomero Plus, it was clear that this is a classic Nike fit, leaning slightly toward the snug side. But enough impressions—let’s check the mould and confirm.

Our first measurement came in at 94.6 mm, which sits close to the average. However, to paint the full picture, we need to look deeper!

Our second measurement came in at 71.1 mm, confirming the snug fit we mentioned earlier. This makes the Vomero Plus a less appealing choice for runners with wide feet.

The toebox height also measures slightly lower than average at 26.2 mm.

This confirms that runners who enjoy a snug and secure fit will appreciate the Vomero Plus, while others may find the limited space disappointing. Still, this is a Nike shoe, and the outcome is really familiar.

Another common cliché with Nike shoes is their underwhelming traction compared to brands like PUMA or Adidas, or even ASICS’ latest top-tier models.

The Vomero Plus performed just okay, especially for its premium price. Scoring 0.42 in our grip test isn’t a failure, and the shoe feels fine on slightly wet surfaces, but it’s still far from impressive.

The outsole of the Nike Vomero Plus features full-length rubber coverage, a design choice that stands out compared to many competitors. We discovered that square-shaped lugs dominate both the heel and forefoot, arranged in a consistent grid pattern.

But why so much rubber when most brands are going for the opposite side of things? Well, the more rubber a shoe has, the more surface area touches the asphalt with every stride. Since Nike’s rubber isn’t the best in the game—as we proved in our lab—it makes sense they added extensive coverage, unlike other brands that can reduce weight by trimming rubber while still maintaining solid traction.

We were amazed by its massive longitudinal stiffness. At 19.8N, the Vomero Plus is even stiffer than many carbon-plated shoes, so forget about a highly-flexible feel here, as this is the nature of a maximalist design.

Only a few years ago, the Vomero Plus wouldn’t have been considered heavy, but today we tested high-stack options that come in lighter and cheaper. At this point, we think there are no excuses left for a shoe with such a premium price point.

The problem is that the outsole drags the Vomero Plus to 10.2 oz or 289g, and while it still works reasonably well for daily runs, we found that its weighty build clearly needs refinement for version 2.

The step-in feel of the Vomero Plus is excellent, thanks to its cosy upper that hugs the foot with a glove-like fit. While this delivers great comfort, it often comes with reduced breathability.

To check this, we used our smoke machine and observed the airflow. The result was moderate—neither impressive nor poor—so we landed on a 3/5 score.

The upper leans heavily on structure and padding, which might not suit runners in hot climates. On the flip side, it provides enhanced lateral stability and extra durability.

We discovered that the upper is crafted from engineered mesh with a layered sandwich construction. 

The outer translucent weave normally sits beneath the main mesh, while thicker interior yarns deliver reinforcement and comfort. This setup cleverly keeps the rougher layer away from the foot.

At this price point, comfort is usually the priority over maximum ventilation for most runners. Nike played it safe here.

The Nike Vomero Plus remains a neutral shoe, yet we found it more stable than many other max-cushion trainers. Tall sidewalls support the heel and extend into the midfoot, while the broad heel counters the plush midsole. Still, we don’t see it as a strong option for runners with real stability needs.

When we first saw the launch of the Vomero Plus, we expected it to feel ultra stiff. However, the soft ZoomX foam helps counteract that, which is why the shoe ended up scoring 4/5 in our test instead of the maximum.

This makes it appealing for runners seeking a max-stack shoe for everyday use, particularly in the same jobs where the Bondi 9 has gained so much popularity...

The heel is also very comfortable, avoiding the ultra-rigid counters that often feel awkward. With a 3/5 result, it delivers comfort similar to an average daily trainer, though this comes with a slight trade-off in heel stability.

The forefoot of the Vomero Plus measures 117.0 mm, which isn’t especially wide and that really surprised us.

This makes it a solid option for forefoot strikers wanting a max-stack shoe without excessive width. For us, this slimmer profile feels more agile and less bulky than other maximalist shoes.

The heel follows the usual blueprint of modern supertrainers, featuring a generous 99.2 mm width designed to provide more stability for rearfoot strikers. From our perspective, this feels like a smart decision.

Despite packing a very comfortable mesh, the Vomero Plus held up well in our Dremel test, scoring above the average daily trainer with a respectable 3/5 result.

The heel padding follows the same pattern. It's super cosy yet tough enough to withstand the Dremel test, earning a strong 4 out of 5.

The trifecta of durability checkups we tested in the lab wrapped up with the outsole, which also features a durable compound.

Using our tyre tread gauge, we measured just 0.8 mm of wear—a strong outcome, especially for a shoe with full-length coverage.

The slab of rubber measured 2.9 mm at its thickest point, which is found in the small lugs typical of Nike’s Bowerman-style waffle design. It’s a safe setup, and we don’t expect premature outsole wear, even with frequent off-road use.

We were surprised by the thin insole, measuring only 3.3 mm—clearly less than what we usually see in daily trainers. That said, it’s not a drawback but rather a plus, since it maximizes the ZoomX foam underfoot.

The insole is slightly flared in the heel to create a mild bathtub effect, adding a small stability boost. However, it can easily be swapped out for another insole if desired.

Crafted from Pebax foam, the ZoomX midsole shows excellent resistance to cold. We found it became only 6% firmer after 20 minutes in the freezer, which is quite impressive.

The Nike Vomero Plus features multiple reflective details, enhancing visibility and safety during night runs.

The Nike Vomero Plus uses a loop-style lacing system with flat laces running through stitched fabric loops, looking for a premium feel over punched eyelets. This setup spreads pressure evenly across the instep, and includes reinforced top eyelets for extra durability and multiple lockdown options.

We already mentioned the amazing step-in feel that this shoe offers, and a good portion of that comes from the oversized, ultra-plush tongue. It features nothing less than 11.2 mm of thickness from a full-length, single slab of foam. Again, Nike chose to not save any weight in here, that's clear.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the Vomero Plus is the absence of a gusseted tongue. Although it’s nicely padded and allows tight lacing without discomfort, we believe a shoe at this price should feature a tongue securely attached to the sides.

In our view, the Vomero Plus feels reasonably priced for a full-superfoam daily trainer with excellent comfort, though we understand those who think it’s steep for a shoe not designed for racing or tempo runs.

The upside of Nike’s new three-tier system (standard, Plus, and Premium) is that you can choose the version that best matches your budget.

The heel tab is a simple fabric loop stitched securely into the collar. It’s designed to help runners slide the shoe on easily without stressing the heel structure.