Vomero Plus felt heaven-sent to me: Returning from an injury, it was ideal to have a gentle shoe that offered extra cushioning. I've used—and been very pleased with— since it hit the market, so I eagerly anticipated the launch of its successor: Vomero Plus.
I must quickly point out that I am biased due to my relationship with as a sponsored athlete—this means, unlike other reviewers, I've run more than 600 km in the shoe and tested it intensively over an extended period. Therefore, I feel I can delve deeper and highlight both pros and cons of the shoe.
Nike Vomero Plus – Upgrade of Vomero and Invincible
To be honest, I was a bit nervous about how my lower legs would react to a shoe with so much cushion. Vomero Plus reportedly has 45 mm in the heel and 35 mm in the forefoot. This is more than (40 mm heel, 31 mm forefoot), which is probably the closest previous Nike shoe.
With Invincible 3, I experienced some instability over the midfoot, which I think was due to my wide feet and a narrow shoe mid-section, but also the upper, which I never fully liked. Every foot is different, so it makes sense to try different shoes to see how they fit you and your foot.
Vomero Plus in short:
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Breathable, soft upper that fits well
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Full ZoomX midsole for maximum cushioning and bounce
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Wider platform offers better stability than similar max-cushion shoes
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Suitable for easy and moderate training sessions
When I first got Vomero Plus in hand, I could see improvements in stability alongside increased foam. It looked wider and more stable throughout the shoe's length, yet it felt pliant and flexible. My first run confirmed my thoughts. I experienced the same bounce as Invincible 3, but it felt softer, more comfortable, and—most impressively—more stable. My initial assessment and feedback on the shoe describe it well:
"The Vomero Plus is incredible. It’s comfortable, cushioned, but also bouncy and most impressively offers a stable ride."
Nike Vomero Plus – Where does it fit?
The shoe is simple to describe: A pliant and breathable upper ensuring a good fit, combined with a large amount of ZoomX foam providing a soft and bouncy running experience. Its width ensures an impressive stability feel, which is hard to achieve in such a 'high' and soft shoe.
As you can sense, it’s a great shoe that will be part of my rotation—but what is it to be used for, and is it the right shoe for you?
I have, as mentioned, covered many kilometers in the shoe, testing it at different speeds and terrains to try to answer that:
Speed / Workouts:
The first few runs were easy, but soon I began adding strides and running workouts in the shoe. As mentioned, it was perfect for my return from injury, needing more cushioning.
When packed with ZoomX foam, the experience follows: a feeling of good energy return and a pleasant, effortless running experience.
For me, it especially makes sense to use such a shoe when needed—as mentioned, on the way back, or if tired, sore, or needing a little 'extra'.
I have a term, a "Kasper-Skov-shoe". Kasper is one of my good friends, a former elite runner who now only ties his shoes a few times a week. He’s fresh and flying on every run. To run with him sometimes requires a little extra bounce, especially if you're tired from training. Invincible 3 was my previous "Kasper-Skov-shoe", but now I have a new one.
Additionally, I have run strides and workouts in the shoe. Strides (short bursts of speed to loosen up the body) feel fine—I can do that in most shoes—but the more established training sessions are where I truly test the shoe's feel at higher speeds.
I have run several lighter tempo workouts in the shoes: multiple times 10 x 1 km, 3 x 10 min and similar, ranging from pace 3.30 to 3.00. Recently, I tested the shoe in a bigger workout: I ran 4 x 5 km, pace 3.25 down to 3.15 with a one km break in between (3.40 to 3.30). Intensity was increasing, but controlled, providing a good sense of the shoe's limitations. Running faster than 3.10–3.15, nearing marathon pace (3.00), I miss some aggressiveness from the shoe for a more fluid running experience. I get that from Nike's carbon shoes: the tempo shoe Zoom Fly 6 or the race shoes Alphafly 3 or Vaporfly 4. Pegasus Plus can also cover that area on shorter intervals if you wish to avoid a carbon plate.
Terrain:
I started on asphalt and even terrain, precisely because I was concerned about stability and the risk of twisting an ankle. Already on the first run, I felt good stability in the shoe, which gave me peace and confidence. Therefore, I also quickly ventured onto gravel paths and forest trails—without major issues.
If the terrain becomes too technical and uneven, like single tracks, farm roads, or trails with large loose stones, a trail shoe or a shoe with less 'height' is clearly preferred.
On a treadmill, it can also be used well, but I already think treadmills provide a recoil effect that makes running easier. When combined with a very bouncy shoe like Vomero Plus, you get a double effect. If you're tired or need it (as described above), it may make sense—but I typically choose Pegasus 41 on the treadmill.
Conclusion:
Overall, Vomero Plus is one of the best training shoes I've run in from Nike, now part of my regular routine and shoe rotation. Unlike Vomero 18, it is softer solely due to ZoomX foam, which offers both advantages and disadvantages. I use them on days when I need extra energy return, especially my go-to for long runs, easy tempo, and if the surface is mainly asphalt or established gravel and forest paths. Try them at RunningXpert and feel the energy.
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