Can We Please Share the Road Until Springtime?
For a brief time every winter, we runners are forced onto the roads with the rest of the world. Can't we all just get along and share the road?
So you think the new Nike Vomero Plus looks like a high-stacked maximalist training shoe? Well, yes, it is, and it meets one of the trends happening in cushioned training shoes. But it’s only a glimpse of what’s to come in the revamped Vomero line this year.
For a quick background on high-stacked running shoes, Nike’s original Air Max 1 shoes were the first high-loft running shoes when they launched with considerable fanfare way back in 1987. Although it had stack heights of only 32mm in the heel and 20mm in the forefoot, its visible Air Sole technology created a very lofty midsole height for the time. Fast forward all the way to 2010 and Hoka made maximalism cool and functional when it burst on the scene with the original Bondi road shoe and original Mafate trail shoe, each of which had 32/28 heel/toe specs—still seemingly gargantuan compared to other shoes at the time.
Obviously, cushioning has continued to mushroom since then—in size, shape, and performance capabilities. While racing shoes reached the 40mm stack height limit as set by World Athletics in 2020, some current training shoes have 45mm heel heights or higher. The Vomero Plus has 45/35 specs, but that’s nothing compared to the forthcoming Vomero Premium that drops on October 2 with cartoonish 55/45 stack heights and an even more advanced cushioning foam.
The Vomero Plus is actually a tiny bit lower to the ground and quite a bit lighter than the Vomero 18 that came out earlier this year, so from those metrics alone, it’s a better shoe. Maximalist training shoes aren’t for everyone and certainly not meant to be worn on every single run, in part because they mute the proprioceptive feel for the ground, aren’t very agile, and often aren’t very speedy. But they do offer loads of cushioning and protection, and that can feel good and be helpful on long runs and recovery runs.
What’s New: Combining the cushioning technology of the previous Vomero with criteria taken from the now-defunct Invincible 3, the new Nike Vomero Plus features a full-length, high-rebound ZoomX foam midsole with a 45mm heel stack height—roughly similar to the Vomero 18 and 4mm taller than the Invincible 3. The midsole leverages “an evolved version of Nike’s lightest, softest and most responsive foam” to deliver a propulsive feeling that Nike says provides roughly 85 percent energy return.
Fit/Feel/Ride: The Vomero Plus fits true to size with a medium volume interior and a compact (but not restrictive) toe box. It has a plush, soft interior that includes a thickly padded tongue, a thin but cushy sockliner, and a well-padded heel collar. The widebody dimensions of the shoe, the sturdy heel cup, semi-stiff flex pattern, and the semi-firm feel of the midsole (that wraps up the medial and lateral sidewalls) provide quite a bit of stable structure. (It comes in regular and wide widths and has room for an aftermarket footbed if you choose to replace the standard sockliner.)
All of that makes the Vomero Plus very cushy, comfortable, durable, and protective—all good things when it comes to running long distances and making this your high-mileage workhorse training shoe. While the ride is semi-soft and moderately responsive, it also feels a bit thick and stodgy without very good feel for the ground, which makes it limited to slow to moderate running, either for long runs or recovery runs. But it feels great on those kinds of runs.
Price: $180
Approximate Weights: 8.5 oz. (women’s size 8), 10.0 oz. (men’s size 9)
Heel-Toe Offset: 10mm; 45mm (heel), 35mm (forefoot)
Why It’s Great: The secret sauce of the Vomero Plus is the full-length ZoomX foam midsole. It’s not the same Peba-based ZoomX foam that’s found in Nike’s high-end racing super shoes, but a TPE-based ZoomX compound. This version of ZoomX is tuned for daily use at moderate paces; it’s less spring-loaded, more balanced. It feels soft but not mushy, and surprisingly bouncy for a max-cushion trainer. The geometry includes a slight rocker that helps with smooth transitions, and the wide base provides a grounded, secure feeling on the run. An engineered mesh upper and a durable, high-abrasion rubber outsole round out this premium-level training shoe.
Why You’ll Love It: The Nike Vomero Plus is a great choice for runners seeking a max-cushion trainer that combines softness, bounce, and everyday style. (Yes, the color motifs and overall design aesthetics look good with shorts, jeans, yoga pants, or other casual wear.) Designed for comfort and stability, it’s an ideal companion for easy runs, recovery days, and long-distance training. Compared to the Vomero 18, it delivers a lighter, more responsive ride—making it a clear upgrade for those craving a smoother, livelier feel underfoot.
The Vomero Plus is best for slower to moderately paced long runs and recovery runs. It offers excellent impact protection and cushioning for high-mileage training, making it a reliable option for runners aiming to stay fresh through heavy training blocks or marathon prep.
Why You Might Not Like It: Well, it’s a bit one-dimensional. The Vomero Plus is built for comfort, not speed. It lacks the quick turnover and snappy responsiveness found in lighter or plated models. I found it slow to respond when trying to pick up the pace. Compared to sleeker daily trainers, it can feel bulky and weighty, particularly during faster strides or pace changes.
Pro: It’s one of the most comfortable shoes available this summer, and a great choice for bigger and taller runners.
Con: It’s a little bit heavier than I’d like, even for a max-stacked training shoe, and that limits its pace variability and agility.
Similar Shoes: If you like the high loft of super-max cushioned shoes with somewhat of a responsive feel, there are plenty of good ones to choose from on the shoe wall at your local running shop—Brooks Glycerin Max, Asics Superblast 2, Hoka Skyward X, Saucony Hurricane 24, and New Balance Supercomp Trainer v3. The key to finding one that works for you is finding the balance between weight and responsiveness that feels best for you based on try-ons at your local running store.
Senior editor Brian Metzler has wear-tested more than 2,500 running shoes and is the author of “Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes” (2019) and “Trail Running Illustrated” (2019). He has raced just about every distance from 100 meters to 100 miles, but he’s most eager to share stories about his experiences pack burro racing in Colorado.
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