| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Soft and bouncy + Good weight + Versatile + Very comfy upper | – High price tag – Lack of breathability |
The Vomero Plus sits in the middle of Nike’s Vomero trio of pairs, in terms of price. But just because it’s the middle child doesn’t mean it should be neglected like some underachieving disappointment. In fact, I make the case for why it’s my favorite child shoe among the three Vomero offspring, in this Nike Vomero Plus review.
Nike Vomero Plus
Neutral daily trainer
| STACK | WEIGHT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 45/35 mm (10 mm drop) | M10: 10.3 oz/292 g W8: 8.5 oz/242 g | $180 |
With a name like “Plus,” you would think its 45/35 mm stack height would be taller than the regular Vomero 18. Turns out, the 18 actually has it beat by a whopping 1 millimeter. (46/36 mm) It’s not brothers comparing dick size, but it’s close! Perhaps Runner’s World was on to something when they declared shoe stack the new penis size.
Meanwhile, the Vomero Premium says “Hold my pecker” with its industry-leading, absolutely gargantuan 55.5 mm/45.5 mm stack (52 mm/42.9 mm for women). Take that, Adidas, with your measly 50/43 mm stacked Adizero Prime X 3 Strung! What exactly is the Premium overcompensating for? A small ego?
Each Vomero boasts ZoomX foam, with the Plus as the lightest and most responsive. It’s rare when you enjoy running in each variant of a shoe line, but that’s the case with the Vomero. Yet, I have a feeling I’ll absolutely hate the Vomero Pro when a fourth Vomero is inevitably introduced a year or so down the road. Hey, at least it’s not another Nike shoe ending in “-fly.”
Ride
Soft, bouncy, and not heavy, what’s not to like? With an oversized stack height and soft foam, this is a shoe that pampers your feet without weighing you down. 10.3 oz for a men’s size 10 (8.5 oz for women’s size 8) is a fantastic weight given the great amount of cushioning.
I’ve never disliked a shoe with a ZoomX midsole for a reason: the Peba foam delivers some of the highest energy return in the industry. Although, I did feel like it took 15 miles or so to break the shoe in and really start feeling the bounce.
Despite very sore quads from the previous day’s lower body workout (Who says runners skip leg day?!) I felt compelled to keep running farther than I anticipated thanks to the fun ride. Truthfully, it was my first strength workout in weeks. (Who says runners don’t skip leg day?!)
As evidenced by the circumcision of the Brooks Ghost and Adrenaline, the 12 mm heel-to-toe drop has gone extinct, with 10 mm reigning supreme as the tallest drop. All three Vomero models have a 10 mm drop, and work especially well for heel strikers like me. The shoe’s rocker geometry and quite pronounced heel bevel enable smoother heel transitions, so the Plus should still work for you even if you typically opt for lower drop shoes.
Despite a massive 45 mm in the heel, it’s a stable enough ride that actually doesn’t feel as tall as its stack would suggest. Running in this springy shoe was a breath of fresh air after slogging through the firm and unexciting Brooks Ghost Max 4.
Plus vs Premium
If you’re trying to decide between the Vomero Plus and Premium, it’s no contest: the Plus is $50 less expensive at $180 and much more versatile. Frankly, after running in the Plus, I don’t really see a point in the super-shoe-priced Premium ($230), even though it’s got a fun ride. Because the Plus serves as an excellent daily trainer, long run option, and even an easy day pair–what the Premium works best as.
Upper and Outsole
The engineered mesh upper isn’t the most breathable, but it’s certainly one of the most comfortable. Paddington Bear galore! While not gusseted, the thickly padded tongue does an excellent job holding my tootsies in place without irritation, and there’s an amply padded collar to softly cradle the heel. Even though breathability could be improved with all the padding, there’s enough volume in the toe box so you won’t feel suffocated. And when it comes to trainers, I’ll always prioritize comfort over breathability. The Plus fits true to size.
There’s a durable outsole with a surprisingly large amount of high-abrasion rubber, given the lower weight. Thankfully, the full-length rubber coverage doesn’t detract from the smoothness of the ride underfoot.
Price
My only gripe with this shoe is the price tag. At $180, I would expect there to be a plate in the midsole. Case in point: it’s the same price as Nike’s carbon-plated Zoom Fly 6. By that logic, the Plus should be priced at $170. However, the good news is, Nike typically puts select colorways on sale at the $145-$153 range. A great price for a shoe this versatile and cushioned.
Conclusion
Easily the best of the Vomero trio, and possibly Nike’s best un-plated pair, the Vomero Plus reinvigorates the brand’s lineup by delivering an energetic max-stacked ride without sacrificing comfort or stability.
The Vomero Plus is available on Nike’s website, with select colorways priced between $145-$153.
Nike graciously provided this shoe to me for wear testing. I was not compensated for this Nike Vomero Plus review and they didn’t get an opportunity to see this Nike Vomero Plus review before I published.
This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase using the links (at no extra cost to you.)
