Nike Vomero 18 – The year's top training shoe?

I've been around the block, so to speak, but now I'm talking about high-stack running shoes, training shoes , unfortunately. Yet, it's also my favorite category of running shoes, so I'm actually quite satisfied with that statement. There have been good ones, less good ones, such is life. Some are high-stack but only to attract attention, others have their merits, or let's clarify, others actually have something exciting to offer in the midsole, so let's dive into which group the Vomero 18 belongs to (maybe you've already guessed from the title).

HERRE

Is Nike only good for fast running shoes?

I don't think we offend anyone by saying that Nike has been strongest in their race category for many years. That's changing now. With the launch of Vomero 18, Nike is sharp in ALL categories. Vomero 18 stands as Nike's take on a max cushioned running shoe, a "daily workhorse" to use a familiar term. Max cushioned running shoes can again be broken down into several types, some made to be recovery shoes, typically ultra-soft, others more versatile and easier to run in if that makes sense. Vomero 18 is really easy to run in.

A top-class midsole - Nike Vomero 18

Let me try to elaborate on why Vomero 18 is easy to run in. It's because of a very well-composed midsole. Nike has placed two types of midsole material in the shoe, ZoomX and ReactX. You might know ZoomX from some of Nike's fastest race day shoes, and ReactX from their training shoes. These two-layer midsoles are not new, but they're not always a success. They are in this case. You get both the bouncy and energy-filled ZoomX feel underfoot, but also enough stability from ReactX foam so it doesn't become too unstable. And you get plenty of protection from the ground, with 46mm of foam in the heel and 36mm in the forefoot, giving you a 10mm drop, quite standard for their Vomero line, and it works well. It's also worth mentioning that Nike has succeeded with a great rocker geometry in Vomero 18, something not often seen in their training shoes historically.

A balanced shoe - Nike Vomero 18

With the release of Nike Vomero 18, I'm sure Nike will cement itself back into consumers' minds when it comes to training shoes. It's a shoe in balance, it rolls, it bounces, it wants to have fun, without being too much in any direction. When I read they would use two types of foam material, I was initially skeptical, like when you end up at a fancy restaurant offering fusion cuisine - it can quickly become unbalanced when mixing too much. But not Vomero 18, which is why the shoe is incredibly friendly, suitable for short jogs with fresh legs, or on days when your legs are heavy and the pace needs to slow right down.

An upper with comfort and structure - Nike Vomero 18

The upper on Vomero 18 has plenty of structure, many classic features, without any wild quirks around the heel cap, tongue, or general material choice. Overall, it's a really comfortable upper, offering you the stability and structure you need, considering this shoe is intended for running many miles. If there's a critique, the tongue might be a bit too soft, making the upper slightly warm, especially in summer.

Is weight an issue? - Nike Vomero 18

I've read some criticize the weight of Vomero 18. I must say, having run in many other shoes from the same category, some are heavier and feel much clunkier, so I'm not worried about that. It is heavier than its predecessor, yes, but you also get something nice for the extra grams. I would also add that it feels lighter than it is, unlike myself, who feels heavier than I am, what a world.

HERRE

Happy Ending - Nike Vomero 18

With Nike's new approach to their line-up, with this "silo" categorization of their running shoes, where you get the "Icon" version, as in Vomero 18, there will eventually be a Vomero 18 Plus, and a Vomero 18 Premium. From what I've experienced, I can't help but get excited thinking about Plus and Premium, but first, it's about Vomero 18, and what a running shoe you get for the money.

Nike Vomero 18 is a shoe for everyone. Yes, I said it again. But everyone from beginners to elite runners can find one or more times a week when this shoe is the right choice from their rotation. Therefore, I'm not a bit in doubt that it will be a success, it will be The Comeback of the Year, we've been missing this shoe from Nike , but now it's here.