Nike Vomero Plus Review

Nike Vomero Plus

OUR VERDICT: 90% – GREAT

The Vomero Plus delivers best-in-class max-cushioning for recovery runs and long runs at easy paces.

Buy from Nike.com

SUMMARY

The Nike Vomero Plus is like the Invincible 3, but with a greater sense of purpose. By fine-tuning the midsole design and ZoomX foam, the Vomero Plus does a much better job of unlocking the potential of the ZoomX midsole, making it more versatile. It’s an excellent trainer for recovery runs and long runs at speeds slower than 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile). The Vomero Plus is not a fast shoe, but it stays well clear of the mushy zone.

While many shoes have been called the ‘Hoka Bondi killer’ in the past, the Vomero Plus is a serious challenger to any max-cushioned trainer in the running and athleisure category.
 

WHAT THE VOMERO PLUS DOES WELL

– Recovery runs, long runs, and daily training, ideally at 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile) or slower.
– Marathons with finish times of 4 hours and longer.
– Delivering maximum cushioning with a moderate rocker assistance.
– Great for beginner runners who want lots of cushioning with a high heel drop.
– Plush interior comfort and secure fit.
– Delivers cushioning with a neutral and supportive character.
– Visibility during low-light conditions.
– Midfoot and heel strike-friendly because of the wide midsole and outsole layout.
 

WHAT THE VOMERO PLUS DOES POORLY

– Any form of speed-work, be it tempo training, intervals, and marathons with finish times under 4 hours.
– Ventilation during hot days.
– Outsole grip on damp roads.

POTENTIAL ISSUES

1 of 2

The interiors run warm because of the thick upper mesh, ultra-padded tongue, and snug fit. Runners who run in hotter climates may want to consider more breathable options.

While the shoe fits true-to-size for most runners, the sleeve-free interior opens up excess room in the toe-box. If your runs involve uphill sections, it may be worthwhile to buy a half-size smaller (US 10.5 instead of US 11). When compared to the Vomero 18, the Vomero Plus has a half-size worth of extra space inside the toe-box.

THE RIDE EXPERIENCE

1 of 2

Unlike the Vomero 18’s dual-density design, the Vomero Plus’s midsole is made entirely of ZoomX foam. With rear and forefoot stack heights of 45 mm and 35 mm, this is as max-cushioned as it gets. Understandably, comparisons will be drawn between this shoe and the Nike Invincible 3, but there’s not much in common except for the underlying theme. We began this review by saying that the Vomero Plus has a greater sense of purpose than the Invincible. So what do we mean by that?

1 of 3

While it’s true that both shoes are built on a tall and high-volume midsole featuring ZoomX, the Vomero Plus is a comprehensive top-to-bottom reimagining of its predecessor. The step-in cushioning has improved, thanks to the foam strobel (the Invincible 3 used fabric) and Ortholite insole. The ZoomX foam feels tighter, with the raised midsole edges doing a better job of seating the foot.

1 of 2

The forefoot has a late-stage rocker for smoother toe-offs, while the beveled heel offers gradual landings for heel strikers. The Vomero Plus stays clear of formulaic midsole design and opts for a solid core and full-contact outsole without voids or negative space. The continuous outsole is available for heel and forefoot striking, as well as the entire loading cycle.

During runs, the ZoomX midsole produces a very consistent cushioning experience that avoids some of the pitfalls associated with mega-stack shoes. The transitions feel linear, and the bouncy softness doesn’t go overboard. There’s just enough firmness to prevent the midsole from turning into mush. The outsole traction is decent for the most part, except for slight hesitancy during forefoot kick backs on wet roads.

1 of 2

The wide base, optimal outsole coverage, and sidewall molding make the Vomero Plus very neutral; it doesn’t have a cushioning bias towards the lateral side. If you’re a heavy runner, the Vomero Plus will do okay – the firmer Vomero 18 is a better choice over the Plus variant though.

RECOMMENDED ROTATION

1 of 6

THE UPPER DESIGN AND FIT

1 of 4

Not only is the upper extremely plush, but it is also full of pleasing details. Nike has put in the effort to create a refined and aesthetically pleasing upper that fits into the overall max-cushioning theme. The plump tongue and heel collar are generously padded for interior comfort. Nike appears to be entering a sleeve-free era, as evident on the Vomero Plus and Structure 26. Instead of a gusset, the midfoot features a smooth lining with a satin-like feel. The tongue doesn’t slide as its thickness doesn’t let it slide into the side gap, helping it stay on top – where it does an excellent job of preventing lace bite.

1 of 2

A no-sleeve interior affects the sizing, however. The Vomero Plus fits true-to-size, but barely. Compared to a full-sleeved shoe like the Vomero 18, the Vomero Plus fits a half-size larger. While staying true to size works for flat and downhill sections, the excess space becomes glaringly apparent when running uphill. The insole marking says MR-10, so Nike used the same last as the Vomero 18 without accounting for the extra space from the missing sleeve. Barring that, the forefoot has a snug and secure fit, as does the midfoot and heel. This shoe also sells in an extra-wide width.

1 of 2

We love the little details on the upper. The fused bumper lends a nice profile to the toe-box while preventing the mesh from getting soaked when running over puddles. The mesh texture gives the upper a three-dimensional depth, and the lines match the midsole molding. Reflective bits are housed on the outsole tip, toe-box, tongue, and heel for visibility in low-light conditions. The heel loop, while helpful, could be larger. How much larger? Well, Asics Nimbus 27 larger.

SHOES COMPARABLE TO THE NIKE VOMERO PLUS

1 of 6

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS