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 suggest re-framing your mindset in the event you’re hoping for the same match and really feel. The adjustments are largely for the higher, however it’s a completely totally different shoe. We’ll dig into the nitty-gritty, however first, a disclosure: The Vomero 17 was certainly one of my favourite sneakers in 2024. I’d heard that Nike went all out on updates to the latest iteration of the shoe, and I used to be excited to attempt it. And whereas my expectations had 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 greater than the Nike Invincible 3 and nearly as excessive because the Hoka Skyward X. The upshot is it’s one of many plushest trainers at the moment out there. Nike layered two of its finest midsole foams to create a responsive journey 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 aspect. The added stack and a few modifications on the higher take the load 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 dust, gravel, and crushed rock, and the potential of the shoe’s backside carrying out quicker. This makes the shoe much less versatile than the earlier model, however it’s in all probability higher for day by day restoration and straightforward runs or for runners needing a cushion increase. We additionally positioned it in our Finest Nike Working Footwear and Finest Cushioned Working Footwear 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 concerning the tongue being too plush, however it hasn’t actually bothered me. Though Nike designs its engineered mesh to be breathable, I’ve some considerations contemplating the quantity of fabric on the higher. I’ve solely taken the sneakers on runs into the higher 70s Fahrenheit, and to date, they haven’t been overly sizzling, however it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how breathable they’re later in the summertime.
What the shoe may sacrifice in breathability and probably being too heat, it makes up for in consolation. These are really a few of 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, however it additionally isn’t large 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 believe that is much less of a shoe situation and extra of a me situation. I’ve a serious pigeon foot, particularly with my proper foot, that means my proper toes typically clip the within of my left calf, ankle, and shoe. There’s no comparable tear on the proper aspect. 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 high of the ReactX foam. To be taught extra about Nike’s foams, try our Finest Nike Working Footwear 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 provides the shoe a reactive and enjoyable journey, 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 mixture of midsole foams makes this shoe pleasant to run in.
For the outsole, the model eliminated a great portion of the standard waffle-inspired rubber when in comparison with the earlier model, changing it with what they name pods. Nike says the brand new design provided higher agility and heel-to-toe transition, and I believe they contribute to the shoe not feeling clunky, though it’s one of many heaviest and highest-stacked sneakers I’ve examined shortly. That stated, one of many issues I beloved a lot concerning the Vomero 17 was its versatility, which was highlighted by the waffle-inspired rubber outsole. That very same outsole is without doubt 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 date, 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 journey 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 Total 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 working shoe. Nike not too long ago 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 exhibits. 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 smooth and cozy mattress for the foot, and the rocker profile helps increase power return and effectivity. It has the loft and softness of a maximum-cushion shoe however a journey 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 in the event you desire a most cushion shoe or in the event you’re a much bigger runner, this is without doubt one of the finest maximum-cushioned sneakers you may at the moment get.
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