Article by Sam Winebaum
Nike Vomero Plus ($180)
Introduction
The Vomero Plus is Nike’s all supercritical ZoomX foam super max trainer. It has the same 45mm heel / 35mm forefoot stack height as the Vomero 18 (RTR Review) swapping that shoe’s lower firmer EVA Cushlon layer for an all Zoom X midsole. It also updates the outsole to a fuller coverage more substantial waffle type pattern for better grip and to help stabilize the soft ZoomX.
It drops 14g in weight to less than 10 oz and goes up $30 in price. Does Nike finally have a big cushion, fun to run unplated trainer? They sure needed one..Let’s find out!
Pros:
At long last a modern, fun, practical big cushion daily trainer from Nike, and super max no less! Sam
Deep ZoomX midsole is very energetic and bouncy yet stable enough: Sam
Smooth easy flow for such a giant: good riddance lower Cushlon EVA and glue layer: Sam
Commendably light weight of 9.85 oz / 279g US M9 for such as big 45/35 stack height: Sam
Cons:
How much is too much? A few mm less stack to extend the versatility & drop the weight noting Invicible Run is 4mm lower stack: Sam
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 9.85 oz / 279g US9
Sample Weights:
men’s 9.6 oz / 272g US8.5 (Vomero 18: 10.1oz / 286g US8.5 )
Stack Height: 45 mm heel / 35 mm forefoot (same or close to Vomero 18)
Platform Width:95 mm heel / 75 mm midfoot / 115 mm forefoot US M8.5 (5mm wider at midfoot than 18)
Available August 7, 2025
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
The Vomero 18 had a very conventional, thick and quite warm engineered mesh upper. To go with its all Zoom X foam midsole and higher pricing, the Plus gets a thinner considerably more breathable, similar fitting and somewhat more secure yet upper.
The mesh on closer inspection has an outer mono mesh fibers layer with stitched-in polyester? threads and dots for support.
There is also a very thin inner lining.
The soft flat laces go through cord loops attached to a reinforcing strip in similar fashion to the Vomero but overall we have a thinner construction here.
The tongue is almost identical: puffy, thick and totally protecting from the laces but unlike the Vomero there is no gusset and none needed and which also improves the breathability.
We have a very stout heel counter with now no external hot glued or stitched on suede overlays.
Support and stability at the rear is insured by the foot sitting deep (and far deeper than the Vomero into the midsole side walls. This also gives the visual that the shoe is higher stack at the heel than the 18. It is not.
The fit is true to size for my narrow to medium volume feet.
The toe box volume is slightly less than the Vomero 18 as the new mesh has less stretch and there is now a fairly substantial toe bumper overlay which the 18 did not have.
Vomero Plus (Left) Vomero 18 (Right)
The same applies to the midfoot area, a bit more volume in the 18 and also even without the gusset not quite as solid a hold on my fairly low volume foot. That said both uppers are similar in fit and most should size the same as in the 18 unless you were at the upper limit for width in the 18, then consider sizing up a half size.
Midsole & Platform
All ZoomX here. No more lower Cushion EVA and its glue layer as in the Vomero 18. The 18 has a mere 15mm or so of Zoom X (everything below the red in the photo below) as far as I can tell from the outside although its center core may be deeper.
All Zoom X midsole for the Plus (Top), about 15mm for the 18 (Bottom)
And this 100% ZoomX is great and clearly is a more energetic, fluidly rolling and more fun feeling ride although now a stiffer flexing one.
The midsole is on the soft side, very vibration absorbing (giant 45/35 stack height also of course assisting), energetic and forgiving with that characteristic quick return of ZoomX.
No mushy squishy sink and stay down feeling here. As a PEBA foam, I find its return quicker than nitrogen infused EVA such as in the Puma trainers. And no plate, and I think none needed as the outsole (plus the foam) helps provide very decent response. No getting bogged down here and at any pace.
We have a broad 95 mm heel / 75 mm midfoot / 115 mm forefoot (US M8.5) platform which is stable enough, helped by the foot sitting deep into the midsole side walls at the heel as shown above making the shoe look higher stack yet as well. There is also 5mm more midfoot platform width at midfoot.
A slight rear rocker helps the runner get off the heel at slower paces.
While not the speed ZoomX trainer in the Nike line, the Pegasus Plus is currently in that slot. I have found all training paces of far (although no intervals or fast tempo as of yet) just fine in this giant of a shoe.
Outsole
The outsole has almost complete coverage in a waffle lug type pattern. Given the soft foam and high stack height, such coverage is a real smart move as it adds some clearly felt stability and response even if rubber, as the heaviest material in a shoe, adds some weight along with great grip everywhere.
The regular Vomero (18) has less extensive coverage as shown below.
Vomero Plus (Left) Vomero 18 (Right)
Grip is excellent on the dry surfaces I have tested to date and durability should be good.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Some initial thoughts with more runs, comparisons and testers joining the review soon. I will also be doing an A/B to Vomero 18 from the run comparison video soon.
Fun and energetic, deeply cushioned, smooth riding and below 10 oz / 283g for such a big stack shoe are the highlights. Polished for a change from Nike in trainers with no oddities of upper fit, overweight, or strange geometries. The Plus is bold and succeeds in delivering a versatile ride at giant stack heights. Maybe not quite as stable as the Vomero 18, it is way more pleasant and smiles inducing than any current Nike trainer and most others I can think of.
Its pace range is broad from recovery to daily training paces which for me have been from 11:00 miles down to mid 8:30’s miles so far. All as smooth as can be, rare for a big stack shoe, and right up there with the Skyward X which is plated, considerably heavier (and felt) and more expensive. Compared to the Pegasus Premium (RTR Review) with its rocker based ride and Air Zoom plate, we have a more natural feel here with more rebound but, as with the comparison to the Vomero 18, somewhat less underfoot stability for those who really really need it.
Giant stack height, no plates, no gimmicks the all ZoomX powered Vomero Plus really shines with big smiles every run. A suitably supportive upper and extensive outsole keep the energy “under control” and powering forward without resorting to any EVA or plates. Not easy to do, and a big step forward for Nike, as they refocus on running and everyday runners in the highly competitive run shoe market.
For sure Big Smiles: 😊😊😊😊😊
Final Score soon!
All RTR reviews: HERE
Latest Reviews-chronological order HERE
Tester Profiles
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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