In this product guide:
In the span of a year, the Vomero went from a has-been to a hot commodity. On its eighteenth birthday, the Vomero received a transformative makeover. The brand-new ZoomX and React X midsole introduced a fresh blend of comfort, support, and liveliness. The contrasting characteristics of the two foams create a balanced and versatile feel that appeals to most runners. On top, the soft and bouncy ZoomX foam adds plush cushioning comfort. Beneath it, the firmer ReactX foam provides stability that even heavier runners will appreciate. Despite its tall stack, the midsole’s rocker geometry gives it a propulsive quality that’s often missing in trainers with similar stack heights. This versatility makes the Vomero well-suited for daily runs, long-distance training, pre-race mileage, and even marathons – as long as the pace isn’t too aggressive.
Not only is the Vomero 18 GTX waterproof, but it’s also a proper winter running shoe with additional cold-weather features. Nike goes the extra mile by substituting the standard Vomero outsole with a grippy Storm-Tread design for better traction on wet roads. The tighter weave and knit of the reflective GTX upper also effectively block wind (and therefore cold) during winter runs. Naturally, the upper doesn’t breathe very well in warmer conditions.
This time, we don’t get the Shield version of the Pegasus, but a Gore-Tex model. That’s a good call by Nike; the market for waterproof running shoes is getting increasingly crowded, so mere water resistance (which the Shield had) no longer cuts it.
Nike also did the right thing by carrying over nearly all of the winter-specific features from the Shield models. For example, the Nike Pegasus 41 GTX has a special wet-weather outsole called Storm-Tread. It was previously used on the Pegasus Shield with proven performance on wet roads. With the Gore-Tex membrane, the upper is waterproof to a certain extent. The upper has other weatherproofing elements like the ripstop mesh, insulated tongue, and sealed seam tapes. Low-light visibility is provided by the reflective trims on the upper.
There’s no sleeve like the regular Pegasus, so the GTX upper has a roomier fit. Yes, you read that correctly. This model shares the ReactX midsole with the standard Pegasus 41, so the on-road performance is almost identical. Most of the cushioning is loaded under the heel, so this shoe works better for rearfoot strikers. The stiff Zoom Air bags add stability in the front and rear. They work well together with the React foam to produce a versatile ride for everything from everyday miles (including tempo runs) to a half-marathon.
- Nike’s marketing pitch: Energized ride for wet weather road running.
- Upper: Waterproof ripstop mesh, inner sleeve, Gore-Tex membrane, reflective details.
- Upper fit: True to size and spacious.
- Midsole: React X foam, Zoom Air bags. 10 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: StormTread rubber with wet-friendly traction.
- Weight: 297 gms/ 10.4 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 36 mm (heel), 26 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Single – D (regular).
- Recommended use: Everyday runs during wet weather and winters.
- Footstrike orientation: All types (heel/midfoot/forefoot).
- Median lifespan: 400 miles.
- Recommended paces: 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile) and slower.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -10° C/14° F.
Pros
- Cushioned and neutral ride
- Effective wind and water blocking
- Reflective details
- Midsole stability
- Spacious forefoot
- Excellent grip on wet roads
Cons
- No widths
- Thin and flat forefoot cushioning
The Winflo 11 doesn’t have a React midsole as the Pegasus or InfinityRN do, but it is the softest it’s ever been. The extra softness comes from the full-length Air bag and the thicker EVA foam midsole. There’s a foam insole under the foot as well. Together, these cushioning layers deliver a comfortable ride experience. There are no stiff Zoom Air bags inside the Winflo, so its midsole is easier to compress than the Pegasus. We view the Winflo as the less expensive version of the InfinityRN 4. There’s plenty of cushioning for everyday miles, making this shoe a good value proposition.
The Gore-Tex version of the Winflo features a weatherized upper. The feature set includes a waterproof GTX membrane, quilted forefoot and tongue, and a wet-ready outsole that Nike calls Storm-Tread.
The Pegasus Trail 5 is marketed as a trail shoe, but it’s a road-trail crossover that performs equally well in urban environments. The absence of gaiter attachment points, rock shield, and low midsole stability limits its use to gentle slopes and flat trails. Barring a few changes, it’s very similar to last year’s Pegasus Trail 4. Included in the changes are a rubber toe-bumper and better reinforcement on the upper midfoot.
The soft ReactX midsole makes everyday road and park runs comfortable. The outsole geometry isn’t aggressive, so technical terrain is off-limits. Also, the soft outsole offers no protection against pointy rocks and roots. On the bright side, the shallow lugs are good for road runs and unpaved surfaces like gravel or chip trails.
Despite the Gore-Tex membrane, the upper is surprisingly supple – therefore making it a comfortable shoe for most use cases. The heel has a soft gaiter extension to prevent the debris from getting inside. The said gaiter has an unintended effect – it makes the GTX upper fit shorter than the non-GTX model. For example, a US 10 in the GTX model fits the same as US 9.5 in the regular model. The waterproofing is effective till the gusset attachment point, so this shoe keeps the feet dry on rainy days. Also, the React foam is sensitive to temperature changes and will stiffen during freezing winters.
- Nike’s marketing pitch: Helps you comfortably take on the elements.
- Upper: Waterproof mesh, Faux gaiter, Gore-Tex membrane.
- Upper fit: Fits shorter than regular Pegasus Trail 5.
- Midsole: React X foam. 9.5 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: All-terrain rubber with shallow lugs.
- Weight: 300 gms/ 10.5 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 36 mm (heel), 26.5 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Single – D (regular).
- Recommended use: Everyday runs on road, flat and mild trails.
- Footstrike orientation: All types (heel/midfoot/forefoot).
- Median lifespan: 400 miles.
- Recommended paces: 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) and slower.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -10° C/14° F.
Pros
- Cushioned and neutral ride
- Effective wind and water blocking
- Faux gaiter keeps debris out
- Protective rubber bumper
- Grip on wet roads
Cons
- No optional widths
- Inconsistent fit versus non-GTX Pegasus Trail
- Not for serious trail performance
The Juniper Trail 2 doesn’t have many bragging rights. It doesn’t have a React midsole, a high-performance rubber compound, or a rock plate. But it does offer a comfortable dual-purpose ride and a Gore-Tex upper for $135, making it decent value proposition.
The Juniper’s EVA midsole isn’t designed for serious off-road performance, but it’s a decent road-trail hybrid. Meaning, it performs well on concrete, park runs, and low-gradient trails. The Pegasus Trail-inspired rubber outsole is articulated for better flexibility. The shallow lugs are made of standard rubber compound, so don’t expect high levels of slick-resistant grip. The EVA midsole and foam footbed deliver a cushioned ride for low-intensity runs, while the snug upper keeps the foot locked in.
Along with the waterproof Gore-Tex lining, the covered lacing area prevents debris from entering. The plush heel and collar padding give the Juniper Trail the comfort level of a standard daily trainer.