If you’ve been a connoisseur of running shoes in recent years, you know that most training shoes have gotten a lot higher off the ground and a lot cushier. Hoka brought us the age of maximalism in the early 2010s and refined it for several years before every other brand followed the trend.
But Nike arguably pioneered the max cushioning concept way back in the late 1980s, when it launched the groundbreaking Air Max 1 shoe in 1987. While that shoe pales in comparison to today’s high-stacked super trainers, like the new Nike Vomero 18, it was the origin of running shoes becoming cushier, more responsive and, yes, slightly heavier and a bit more expensive, too.
Fast-forward back to 2025 and Nike is back at the forefront of the maximally stacked shoe trend with the Vomero 18. It’s part of a new realignment of the Nike shoe lineup of cushioned trainers (after phasing out the popular Invincible and InfinityRN models) that will eventually include the Vomero Plus, and the Vomero Premium. That’s part of the reason the Vomero 18 actually went down $10 in price and embellishes excessive cushioning, extreme comfort, sufficient stability, and long-wearing durability. Although it’s not a do-everything everyday trainer, it definitely follows the “more is better” design motif in most (but not all) ways.
What’s New: Nike completely overhauled the Vomero from its previous edition, upgrading the foam midsole package to include a thin layer of hyper-responsive ZoomX foam on top and a thicker layer of the reformulated ReactX foam (now more bouncy and durable) on the bottom and adding 6mm in midsole stack height to create a much more cushy and responsive maximally cushioned training shoe. A more dramatic rocker geometry, a re-engineered stretch-mesh upper, a grippy waffle-patterned outsole, and a more padded heel collar and tongue round out the smorgasbord of positive enhancements.
Fit/Feel/Ride: The Vomero 18 fits true to size with a medium-narrow interior and a tiny bit of wiggle room in the toe box. (It’s a lot more accommodating than the traditional narrow fit that Nike has been known for, but it doesn’t come in a wide version so it will feel a bit snug for runners with wide feet.) The step-in sensation is soft and plush with all the trappings of a premium trainer. The moment I laced it up, I could feel the maximalist vibe and the high-off-the-ground dimensions. Early in my first run, I felt the soft cushioning and a hint of bounciness, but I also felt the weight of the added material.
Once I got into a consistent mid-range running pace, the biggest thing I noticed was the smooth-rolling ride that felt like an optimal state of flow. At every pace, the Vomero 18 serves up an easy-rolling ride with a lot of softness and a bit of energetic bounciness in every stride.
Why It’s Great: The Vomero 18 is all about comfort. It stands out for its plush cushioning and easy-flowing ride. If you need an “easy-day shoe” in your quiver, this is one to consider. Its buttery smooth heel-to-toe transitions feel great at slow to moderate speeds, and, with a hint of bounciness, puts a tiny spring into every step. It’s one of those shoes you can lace up and not think about, knowing that it will accommodate your varying stride patterns, your fatigued body, and whatever mood you happen to be in. I found it great for cruising on moderate-length runs (5 to 10 miles) at slow to moderate paces. Every time I laced it up, it served up sublime comfort and cushiness, and I found that little spark of springiness goes a long way.
Price: $150
Weight: 9.2 oz. (women’s size 8), 11.5 oz. (men’s size 9)
Heel-Toe Offset: 10mm; 46mm (heel), 36mm (forefoot)
Why You’ll Love It: This is one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. My feet felt like they were wrapped in plush cushioning all the way around, especially from the thickly padded tongue and heel collar. I think this would be a great shoe for taller or bigger runners who are exerting a lot of force in every stride because it offers superior shock absorption and it’s a shoe built with durability in mind.
Why You Might Not Love It: The Vomero 18 is “a lot” of shoe. There’s no getting around the fact that any proprioceptive feel for the ground is muted, and it lacks agility and versatility. I had fun throwing in some spontaneous fartlek-style surges in several of my runs, but ultimately it’s not a shoe that can easily run at tempo pace or faster. In that way, it feels similar to the Brooks Glycerin Max, ASICS Superblast 2, Hoka Bondi 12, and Saucony Triumph 22.
Pro: The midsole package, structure, and wide footprint create sufficient stability and guidance. It’s definitely not a traditional stability shoe, but for such a high-off-the-ground shoe, it’s more stable than most.
Con: Although it runs lighter than it feels when you take it out of the box, the Vomero 18 is not a light shoe. The well-balanced design and the hint of springiness absolve it from being too heavy, but if you appreciate moderately light shoes, more feel for the ground, or more agility in your daily trainers, this probably isn’t the shoe for you.
