REASONS TO BUY
Excellent comfort
Smooth ride
ZoomX midsole foam
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
A little bulky
Nike Vomero 18 Review
An impressive comfort-oriented shoe that performs best on longer, easy efforts
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 21, 2025
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Nike Vomero 18 just feels good. Thanks to a bit of forefoot rocker and a generous helping of ZoomX and ReactX midsole foams, it rolls smoothly and has a bit of bounce. Sure, it's not a lightweight shoe, and sure, it feels a little bulkier than it needs to, thanks to a thick, premium upper. But thanks to the excellent midsole materials and geometry, it feels lighter and more nimble than it actually is. It's not an uptempo shoe, but it is an excellent daily trainer for stacking mileage. The Vomero feels great whether you're walking or running easily, and it's a shoe that should work for most runners, ranging from beginner to serious.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Vomero 18 is a max-cushioning shoe — but it doesn't really run like one. It's smoother and energetic than soft and pillowy. It feels planted and nimble, even though it's high-stack and heavy. It's not an uptempo shoe, but it feels great at relaxed to moderate paces. This shoe quickly made it into my personal rotation for easy mileage after testing as a result.
With plenty of cushioning, the Vomero still retains reasonable comfort and responsiveness, making it a solid choice for many runners.
Cushioning
As with most max-cushioned shoes, the Vomero 18 is focused on providing comfort. It has 41 mm of stack height, made of a dual-density midsole. On top is a layer of premium ZoomX, which is soft and highly resilient. On the bottom is a layer of ReactX, which provides a firmer and more structured ride. The end result is a landing sensation that is soft, but not pillowy. It feels reasonably energetic, with enough firmness to provide some structure.
The Vomero has an 11 mm drop and a slight forefoot rocker. In conjunction, they create a smooth rolling shoe that feels natural and unforced. The shoe feels equally comfortable at a range of paces, although it is not a fast shoe. This is a great option for relaxed mileage, easy long runs, and runners who want a lot of comfort.
The Vomero rolls very well, with a smooth landing that transitions throughout. It's not fast, and I have found that the bulkiness of the shoe encourages me to land a little farther back on my foot than I normally do.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
The upper of the Vomero is very comfortable, bordering on plush. It's breathable, although it does run a little warm on hot days. Soft touch materials around the ankle and heel feel great, and the upper materials overall feel premium. The tongue is extremely cushioned. One large drawback of the thick upper materials is water retention. I found that on rainy or wet runs, these shoes soaked up water more than a lighter, more breathable upper.
Throughout my testing (and after), I didn't experience any rubbing, sliding, or hotspots. Some runners might find that the toe box is a little loose, although I had no issues lacing it snugger.
The Vomero has a very comfortable upper, and quickly made it into my personal rotation. I use it mostly for easy runs, when I enjoy comfort that also has some bounce.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Stability
The Vomero is a tall and slightly chunky shoe. It doesn't feel great in uneven terrain as a result. For runners who want a supportive shoe, the Vomero runs neutral, although it is more stable than many other thickly cushioned options, thanks to the not overly soft midsole.
It's pretty chunky and puts a lot of leverage on your ankles. I wouldn't recommend it for uneven terrain, but I have worn them on a few trails without issue. The Vomero feels more nimble than many other max-cushioned options.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Responsiveness
This shoe is optimized for easy running. I found it felt best on relaxed runs when getting in the miles was the main goal. At those paces, the ZoomX feels smooth and has a pleasant bounce. As I pushed into more moderate efforts, the shoe started to firm up just a bit, but retained the smooth rolling sensation. The shoe doesn't feel great at uptempo paces. That's less a result of the midsole, and more a result of the overall bulk and heft of the shoe. It doesn't feel particularly heavy, but it is.
This is a great option for longer efforts, easy days, relaxed running, and maybe gentle progression runs. I would not recommend this shoe as an option for runners who want a highly versatile shoe or one that will feel great on faster workouts.
This is not a fast shoe. It can handle some moderate efforts, but threshold and faster are not its strong suit.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Weight
The Vomero 18 weighs in at 11.62 ounces in a US Men's 10.5. That is heavy, regardless of how much foam is underfoot. Some of that weight is in the outsole, but I think the upper is the main culprit. It's comfy, but it's also much thicker than it needs to be. I would be interested to see what the shoe feels like with a little less mass in the upper. As it is, though, the Vomero doesn't feel nearly as heavy on your foot as it actually is.
For how heavy it is, the Vomero doesn't feel like it once you're wearing it.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The outsole was a pleasant surprise on this shoe, offering a good bite on all surfaces and also holding up well to use. I've logged a lot of miles on my pair, including a few impromptu routes on trails that have some pretty sharp rocks, and the outsole has held up very well.
The outsole is not only durable, but it also offers solid grip across most surfaces.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Nike Vomero 18?
Especially considering the price point, the Vomero 18 should make your short list if you're looking for a particularly comfortable daily trainer for eating up steady miles at a relaxing pace. It's well-cushioned without being overly soft, feels good, and is a great high-mileage workhorse. I think the dual-density midsole also makes it an excellent option for heavier runners who may bottom out the plush cushioning on some other max-cushioned options.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
In some ways, the Asics Novablast 5 is an interesting alternative to the Vomero. The Novablast is far more versatile thanks to a more energetic ride and lower weight. Between the two, I'd choose the Vomero for very relaxed mileage when I'm beat up, and the Novablast for days when I want a little more pace and pop, or for a longer run where I know I'll want to push the pace towards the end. The Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 offers similar levels of comfort, although in a softer package that doesn't roll quite as smoothly.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Nike Vomero 18 versus top competing products:
—Nathaniel Bailey
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