For me, Vomero Plus is heaven-sent: Coming back from an injury, it was ideal to have a cushioned shoe that provided extra shock absorption. I've used – and been very happy with – , since its release, so I was looking forward to the launch of its successor: Vomero Plus.
I must quickly add that I'm biased due to my relationship with as a sponsored athlete – however, this also means that unlike other reviewers, I've actually run over 600 km in the shoe and tested it extensively over a longer period. Therefore, I feel I can delve deeper and better highlight both the advantages and disadvantages 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. That's more than (40 mm heel, 31 mm forefoot), which is likely the closest previous Nike shoe.
With Invincible 3, I experienced some instability over the midfoot, which I think is due to the combination of my wide feet and a narrow midfoot, but also the upper, which I never quite liked. Every foot is different, so it makes sense to try different shoes to see how they fit you and your foot.
Vomero Plus at a glance:
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Breathable and soft upper that fits well
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Full ZoomX midsole for max 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 workouts
When I first got Vomero Plus in hand, I could see the focus on improved stability along with the increased foam. The shoe looked wider and more stable along its length, yet felt soft 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 capture 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 in?
The shoe is simple to describe: A soft and breathable upper that ensures a good fit, combined with a large amount of ZoomX foam, providing a soft and bouncy running experience. The width is what ensures the impressive feeling of stability for me.
As you can sense, it’s a nice shoe that will be part of my rotation – but what will it be used for, and is it the right shoe for you?
I have, as mentioned, logged many kilometers in the shoe and tested it at different speeds and terrains to try to provide the answer:
Speed / workouts:
The first few runs were easy, but quite quickly I started adding strides and running workouts in the shoe. It matched perfectly with my return from injury and the need for more cushioning.
When the shoe is packed with ZoomX foam, the experience is one of good energy return and thus a pleasant and smooth running experience.
For me, it especially makes sense to use such a shoe when needed – as mentioned, coming back, or if I’m tired, sore, or otherwise need a little extra.
I have a term I call a "Kasper-Skov-shoe." Kasper is a good friend, a former elite runner, who now runs a few times a week. He’s always fresh and fast. To run with him, sometimes you need 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’ve also run strides and workouts in the shoe. Strides (short bursts of speed to loosen up) feel fine – as they do in most shoes – but the more established workouts are where I have time to test the shoe and its feel at higher speeds.
I’ve run several lighter tempo workouts in the shoes: multiple 10 x 1 km, 3 x 10 min, and similar. At paces from 3.30 to 3.00. I recently tested the shoe on a bigger workout: I ran 4 x 5 km, pace 3.25 down to 3.15 with a 1 km break between (3.40 to 3.30). The intensity was increasing but in control, giving a good sense of the shoe’s limits. Running faster than 3.10–3.15, nearing marathon race pace (3.00), I miss some aggressiveness from the shoe, which provides a smoother running experience. I get that from Nike’s carbon shoes: Tempo shoe Zoom Fly 6 or race shoes Alphafly 3 or Vaporfly 4. Pegasus Plus can also cover short intervals, if you want to avoid a carbon plate.
Surface:
I started on asphalt and even terrain because I was nervous about stability and the risk of rolling over. Already on the first run, I felt a good sense of stability, and it gave me confidence. Thus, I quickly moved on to gravel and forest paths – without major issues.
If the terrain becomes too technical and uneven – single tracks, farm roads, or paths with large loose stones – a trail shoe or a shoe with less height is preferable.
On a treadmill, it can also be used, but I already feel a kind of recoil effect, making running easier. Combining it with a very bouncy shoe like Vomero Plus gives a double effect. If tired or needing it (as described above), it makes 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 routine and rotation. Unlike Vomero 18, it's softer due to ZoomX foam, offering both pros and cons. I use them on days needing extra energy return, especially for longer runs, light tempo, mostly on asphalt or established gravel and forest paths. Try them at RunningXpert and feel the energy.
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