The Nike Vomero 18 trainers. All pictures: iRunFar/Nathan Allen
The Nike Vomero 18 ($150) is considerably totally different from earlier variations of the shoe, and we advocate re-framing your mindset when you’re hoping for the same match and really feel. The adjustments are largely for the higher, nevertheless it’s a completely totally different shoe. We’ll dig into the nitty-gritty, however first, a disclosure: The Vomero 17 was one in every of my favourite sneakers in 2024. I’d heard that Nike went all out on updates to the most recent iteration of the shoe, and I used to be excited to strive it. And whereas my expectations have been admittedly excessive, the shoe largely lived as much as the hype.
Let’s begin with the positives. Within the newest model, Nike upped the cushion ante, gaining a claimed six millimeters in stack peak on the heel and forefoot — going from 40 millimeters to 46 millimeters within the heel and 30 millimeters to 36 millimeters within the forefoot. That places it increased than the Nike Invincible 3 and virtually as excessive because the Hoka Skyward X. The upshot is it’s one of many plushest trainers at present out there. Nike layered two of its finest midsole foams to create a responsive experience with good power return. The shoe additionally stays very snug.
To make certain, the updates didn’t come with no few adjustments I’m much less enthusiastic about. For one, the Vomero 17 was already on the heavier facet. The added stack and a few modifications on the higher take the burden as much as an precise 11.3 ounces (320 grams) for U.S. males’s 10. There’s additionally much less protection of the waffle-inspired rubber outsole and, thus, extra uncovered midsole foam, which implies much less grip on grime, gravel, and crushed rock, and the potential of the shoe’s backside sporting out quicker. This makes the shoe much less versatile than the earlier model, however it’s most likely higher for day by day restoration and simple runs or for runners needing a cushion enhance. We additionally positioned it in our Greatest Nike Operating Sneakers and Greatest Cushioned Operating Sneakers guides.
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Nike Vomero 18 Higher
The Nike Vomero 18 combines Nike’s ReactX and ZoomX midsole foams.
Like many trainers as of late, the Nike Vomero 18 options an engineered mesh higher. Nike elevated the padding within the tongue and across the heel to spice up consolation. I’ve seen some complaints on-line in regards to the tongue being too plush, nevertheless it hasn’t actually bothered me. Regardless that Nike designs its engineered mesh to be breathable, I’ve some issues contemplating the quantity of fabric on the higher. I’ve solely taken the sneakers on runs into the higher 70s Fahrenheit, and to this point, they haven’t been overly scorching, nevertheless it’ll be fascinating to see how breathable they’re later in the summertime.
What the shoe would possibly sacrifice in breathability and doubtlessly being too heat, it makes up for in consolation. These are actually among the most snug sneakers I’ve run in shortly, and a part of that has to do with the plush higher that cradles the heel and the again of the foot. The higher’s total match is fairly normal, and the toebox, midfoot, and heel are all middle-of-the-road in width and form. The shoe isn’t overly slim, nevertheless it additionally isn’t broad by any means.
After 100 miles, the one put on and tear on the shoe is a little bit of a fabric tear on the collar of the left shoe, however I think that is much less of a shoe challenge and extra of a me challenge. I’ve a serious pigeon foot, particularly with my proper foot, which means my proper toes typically clip the within of my left calf, ankle, and shoe. There’s no comparable tear on the proper facet. Additionally, the tear doesn’t impression the shoe’s integrity, and it nonetheless feels the identical.
Nike Vomero 18 Midsole and Outsole
The Nike Vomero 18 (left) has much less waffle-inspired rubber outsole in comparison with the Vomero 17.
Whereas the higher portion of the Nike Vomero 18 has some adjustments, it’s the decrease a part of the shoe that makes it completely totally different. For the primary time ever, Nike combines two of its midsole foams, stacking a layer of the ZoomX foam on prime of the ReactX foam. To be taught extra about Nike’s foams, take a look at our Greatest Nike Operating Sneakers information. With out getting an excessive amount of within the weeds, the ReactX and ZoomX are Nike’s two premium foams. ZoomX, specifically, is often solely discovered within the model’s high-end racing sneakers, just like the Alphafly. It’s Nike’s lightest and most responsive foam. The model claims it supplies an 85 % power return.
The mix of the 2 premium foams offers the shoe a reactive and enjoyable experience, particularly contemplating its weight. I’ve discovered many different most cushion sneakers, just like the Hoka Bondi or Nike Invincible 3, to be overly clunky due to the large stack peak and weight, however this mix of midsole foams makes this shoe pleasurable to run in.
For the outsole, the model eliminated a very good portion of the normal waffle-inspired rubber when in comparison with the earlier model, changing it with what they name pods. Nike says the brand new design supplied higher agility and heel-to-toe transition, and I think they contribute to the shoe not feeling clunky, despite the fact that it’s one of many heaviest and highest-stacked sneakers I’ve examined shortly. That mentioned, one of many issues I cherished a lot in regards to the Vomero 17 was its versatility, which was highlighted by the waffle-inspired rubber outsole. That very same outsole is likely one of the causes we love the Nike Pegasus 41 a lot. Eradicating sections of that outsole lessens the shoe’s versatility and exposes extra midsole foam to the bottom. I haven’t had any points to this point, however I can’t think about that extra midsole foam publicity to the bottom helps sturdiness.
One other enchancment Nike made to assist with the experience was including a rocker profile. The rocker form helps enhance the heel-to-toe transition and is very useful for heel-strikers.
Nike Vomero 18 General Impressions
After 100 miles, the one noticeable sturdiness points are on the collar across the heel. Photograph: iRunFar/Nathan Allen
The Nike Vomero 18 is the model’s premium maximum-cushioned operating shoe. Nike just lately went to a brand new lineup of sneakers for on a regular basis coaching runs, which incorporates the Construction, Pegasus, and Vomero. The Construction is the flagship stability shoe, the Pegasus is the impartial mid-cushioned shoe, and the Vomero is the maximum-cushioned shoe. Every shoe has three variations — common, plus, and premium. The Vomero we examined is the common model.
Nike went all-in on this model of the Vomero, and it reveals. The midsole combo of Nike’s two premium foams helps this maximum-cushioned shoe really feel much less clunky than different maximum-cushioned choices. The added materials on the higher — particularly across the heel and on the tongue — makes it a gentle and cozy mattress for the foot, and the rocker profile helps enhance power return and effectivity. It has the loft and softness of a maximum-cushion shoe however a experience intently resembling an on a regular basis coach.
But, the shoe isn’t for everybody. It’s nonetheless an total heavy shoe, and, fairly frankly, not everybody wants 40-plus millimeters of stack peak. However when you desire a most cushion shoe or when you’re a much bigger runner, this is likely one of the finest maximum-cushioned sneakers you’ll be able to at present get.
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