Nike Vomero 18 Review

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.

Side View Cut in Half

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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