Article by Sam Winebaum
Nike Vomero Premium ($220)
Introduction
Sam: Gigantic, flat on the ground and seemingly not run-able but for sure colorful the Vomero Premium, at least visually makes a clear statement Nike is going to extremes of cushion depth and with their signature ZoomX and Air Zoom no less. Gimmick or real run shoe?
At 55mm at the heel the Vomero Premium is the highest stack height shoe I have ever run, towering 5mm over the previous record holder, the Prime X Strung with the not released 100K Prime EVO is rumored to be well above 50mm and much lighter.
Poking and prodding I notice the all Zoom X midsole is very soft with dual Air Zoom units (backed by their lower plates) seemingly intended to provide some response and maybe some stability.
The answer to the question above.. Yes, Vomero Premium is run-able and fun and in no way a gimmick!
Pros:
Incredible cushy comfort that cradles your foot like a giant cloud: Sally/Sam
Softest and bounciest Nike ever. Sam
Super fun and bouncy ride that makes easy miles a joy Sally/Sam
Soft cushioning and foams absorb the impact of your run and provide excellent protection for your leg and joint muscles: Sally
Notably smooth transitions and flow for such a giant (55mm heel) shoe: Sam
I am finally tall enough to ride all the rides at the Carnival when wearing these shoes - they literally add two inches to my height and I like that: Sally
Cons:
Very hefty weight: as expected with such a massive shoe but.. could have Nike stopped at a mere 50mm heel instead of 5mm Sally/Sam
Pricey ($230) for a trainer that is not a race day option: Sally/Sam
Not recommended for attempting paces approaching marathon pace or faster: Sally
Crazy looking: Sally
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 11.55oz / 327g US9 //women’s 9.9 oz / 282g US8
Sample Weights:
men’s 11.3 oz / 323g US 8.5
women’s: 9.9 oz / 282g (US W8)
Stack Height: 55 mm heel / 45mm forefoot, 10 mm drop
Platform Width: 100mm heel / 90mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot US M8.5
Releasing October 2nd 2025 select and October 16 Globally
Vomero Premium Video Review HERE
Most comparable shoes
Asics Megablast (Sally/Sam)
Hoka Skyward X (Sally/Sam)
Brooks Glycerin Max (Sally/Sam)
Nike Vomero Plus (Sally/Sam)
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Sam: The upper continues a bit of a trend at Nike first seen in the Pegasus Premium and Vomero Plus towards softer, roomier and less “performance” focused uppers so “comfort” leaning and that for sure is the case here.
The mesh is soft, very thin and quite pliable.
The mesh is essentially a very fine non stretch monofilament fiber type grid with knit in standoff “puffs” as well as printed dot and line overlays concentrated at the midfoot for support that work in conjunction with the very well padded gusset tongue. The foot wrap is very comfortable and while I was skeptical does a great job holding the foot to the giant height platform.
The midfoot does not work alone in securing the foot that is for sure as we have a truly massive rigid extended heel counter with a high achilles collar.
All the collars are densely and deeply padded especially so the hold is totally secure and comfortable. There are fairly rigid extensions of the padding into the lace up including a flexible plastic panel fully connecting the rear to the lacing.
All of this rear construction likely contributes to the weight of the Premium but it is effective and likely essential give the soft foam and huge heights.
The toe box has very decent height, volume and width with the thin soft and pliable mesh, while non stretch, having some give for wider feet. Not a wide wide fit but for sure not a Pegasus narrow low toe box or with any sense of suffocating hold. The length is true to size without issues.
All in all a very appropriate and comfortable upper up to the task of holding the foot to the giant platform.
Midsole & Platform
Sam: The platform is the big statement from Nike here. With a 55mm heel / 45mm forefoot they have out maxed the competition The platform is appropriately broad enough at 100mm heel / 90mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot US M8.5. I noted the unusually wide midfoot platform which gave me pause.
Would transitions be labored as in addition to the broad midfoot the stack height at the ground platform is very flat with only a minimal rear rocker and no carve out at midfoot to speak of, and on top of that, a rigid non flexing profile. My worries were unfounded.
We have an all ZoomX foam midsole here with two Air Zoom units with at midfoot a short stretch with no Air unit. The Zoom X foam is softer than the Vomero Plus’s and the Air units are not over pressurized. Landings are soft and easy, not totally stable despite the big heel counter but are reasonably stable.
Then feeling at midfoot in transition is like a subtle hinge with the foot moving through the gap then gradually plunging down into the foam towards a nice stately smooth toe off. The 10mm drop for sure is in order here and assisting in those smooth transitions.
It all works really well given the massive geometry with lots of soft energetic bounce and infinite cushion. I did notice at faster slow tempo paces (8:30 mile) the softness made for some wobbly rear softness (similar to the new much lighter and somewhat lower stack ASICS Megablast) but glancing at the watch I was surprised how much faster my pace was than I expected.
Clearly, the well known energy return of the ZoomX foam was bouncing me along with just enough control from the platform width and Zoom Air to not lose momentum. Slower paces were also smooth and easy although I do wish the heel was a bit less soft. Deeper rubber might help to give it quicker rebound? That said there is no big sensation of having to push through the height and softness making them a nice recovery run and easier paces shoe.
All of this said, I do think the Premium would be yet more effective, just as leg friendly, and importantly lighter If Nike had stopped the height at 50mm instead of 55mm and not shot as far for the moon as they do here.
Outsole
The outsole is classic Nike with a dense array of mini waffle lugs covering nearly the entire bottom of the shoe but for 2 windows to the Air units and a shallow central exposed foam area. The extensive coverage clearly helps stabilize the soft ZoomX above. ‘
And Nike boldly stamps the stack height into the underside. Nice touch.
Durability should be good but given the geometry more miles are in order to see if focused wear areas emerge.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Sam: Nike went big, bold and soft with the Vomero Premium in a clear departure from any prior Nike trainer. The last big smiles trainer from Nike for me was the then giant for its time Tempo Next % uptempo long distance shoe. Here we are clearly on the more mellow paces side to things.
Radical yet practical, the Premium is no gimmick. Its ride is energetic and fun and while huge in all dimensions not ponderous or mushy. While clearly soft and bouncy given all the ZoomX foam, and for sure no lightweight , it has proven surprisingly "fast" given its weight which is up there at about 11.55oz / 327g US9 To a large extent the clearly felt “energy return” mitigates the mass of the shoe and its weight..
The weight and sheer mass of the shoe.. It performs well and for sure makes a bold design statement but.. I think a somewhat lower stack of the same construction and materials, say at a 50mm heel would lighten the Premium and give it more response and snap thus extending its utility and value.
For me it fits in the Nike line up as the easy recovery run shoe with the Vomero Plus the longer distance trainer for those wanting something plusher than the regular Vomero with the Pegasus Plus the uptempo option. It is also very comfortable walking and standing around all day shoe.
Nike went big and bold and largely succeeds here delivering a big smiles giant of a true running shoe that challenges conventions creating the first “super super max cushion” road trainer.
Sam’s Score: 9.15 / 10 😊😊😊😊
Ride (50%): 9 Given the huge stack height the ride is practical and fun but wish for less stack height and weight to extend utility
Fit (30%): 9.5 Superb upper that balances comfort and hold just right given the huge stack height
Value (15%): 8.5 Related to ride, a bit less shoe would deliver more utility and add to value as we are at $230 here
Style (5%): 9.5 Bold and clean highlighting the Zoom X and Air just right
Sam's Video Review of the Vomero Premium
5 Comparisons
Nike Vomero Plus (RTR Review)
Sam: A massive 51 g lighter at 9.6 oz / 272g US8.5, the Plus has an all Zoom X midsole (no Air) and a lower but still massive 45/35 stack height. Somewhat firmer and more uptempo in focus than the Premium, it has a wider range of “practical” run uses but less of the fun soft energy of the Premium and is priced $50 less.
NIke Pegasus Premium (RTR Review)
The Peg Premium at 10.86 oz / 308g US8.5 is not much lighter than the Vomero Premium. As with the Vomero Plus, it has a “lower” but still massive 45/35 stack height. Its full length Air Zoom “plate” inspired by Nike carbon Flyplate desgin and lower ReactX foam layer give it a firmer more responsive ride than the Vomero but still with lots of cushioning. It leans more uptempo daily training and support than the Vomero Premium but it is for me held back by its weight and relative stiffness for its intended uses. Of the Vomero Premium, Vomero Plus, and Peg Premium it is my least favorite of the three.
Asics Megablast (RTR Review)
The Megablast has a similar soft and energetic super foam ride with no distractions as its midsole is all supercritical Turbo foam. Its stack height is a “mere” 45/37 but still massive. It is dramatically lighter at 7.69 oz / 218g US 8.5 and this is felt. Due to its more minimal upper and no Air or plates, it is about equally as stable. Priced about the same at $225, it is a better choice for the faster lighter runner seeking a soft and energetic daily trainer while the Premium I think is a better choice for recovery runs and the more casual runner seeking the max in soft fun cushioning that is more controlled.
Brooks Glycerin Max (RTR Review)
A lower 6mm drop shoe, the 45.25 mm heel / 39.25 mm forefoot stack height Brooks is also lighter at 10.6 oz / 301g US8.5. Even with its big dimensions, the Max leans faster paces than the Premium. It has been a relative chore to run slower paces in due to its abrupt front rocker and lower drop. Its dual supercritical foam midsole is duller, firmer and less reactive in feel but more stable than the Nike’s.
Adidas Prime X Strung (RTR Review)
Utterly different approaches to super super max cushion trainers here and different uses. The 50mm heel Prime X is considerably lighter at 10 oz / 283g US8.5 and equipped with an elaborate system of plates. It is designed for uptempo running unlike the mellow paces Premium and is not much fun (or use) run at slower paces. Clear win for Nike in upper comfort here.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Tester Profile
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 1:43 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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