At first glance, the Nike Vomero Plus doesn’t seem drastically different from the Vomero 18 but once you lace them up and hit the road, the shift in performance is very noticeable.
While the Vomero 18 was is about that plush ride and comfort, the Vomero Plus leans harder into responsiveness, versatility, and stability.
If the Vomero 18 was your Sunday cruiser, the Plus is more like your comfortable daily driver that also handles faster runs with ease. This is a genuine upgrade for runners who want more range out of their max cushioned trainer.
Key specifications
- Price: $180 at dickssportinggoods.com / £155 at sportsshoes.com (For UK Readers)
- Weight: 9.9oz / 282g (US Men’s 9)
- Drop: 10mm
- Upper: Soft, engineered mesh with breathable yarns (dual layer and more breathable than the Vomero 18)
- Midsole: Full-length ZoomX foam
- Outsole: High-abrasion rubber with durable traction pattern. Full coverage (much more than Vomero 18)
- Extra attributes: Webbed lace loops for lockdown, reflective details, higher midsole sidewalls for added stability
Sizing and fit
Sizing is consistent with the Vomero 18, they're true to size with a nicely shaped toe box that gives a bit more room than most traditional Nike running shoes.
The upper feels soft and secure, with a slightly more performance-oriented hold compared to the 18. It's also a lot more breathable than the Vomero 18.
That plush collar and thick tongue padding from the Vomero 18 are still present, and it still has a good balance between step-in comfort and solid heel lockdown.
Alastair Dixon
Performance review
Let’s get into what matters most, how it actually feels and performs on the run.
The Vomero Plus takes everything I loved about the Vomero 18’s comfort and soft ZoomX/ReactX midsole combo and turns the dial toward performance (speed and bounce more specifically).
Swapping out the ReactX base and going all-in on ZoomX throughout the midsole transforms this shoe from a “recovery-only” trainer into something that can comfortably handle a wide range of paces.
It has turned the Vomero 18 into a super trainer of sorts, putting it right alongside the ASICS Superblast 2, in terms of comfort/performance capabilities; and that is a HUGE compliment.
It’s lighter (by a full ounce), more responsive, and noticeably more energetic.
The full-length ZoomX foam delivers a springier toe-off and better propulsion, especially when you pick up the pace.
Unlike the 18, which could feel a bit sluggish during anything other than slow miles, the Vomero Plus invites you to stretch out your stride and flow through transitions, and the best part is that the ride feels equally well-tuned for forefoot to heel strikers.
There’s still plenty of impact protection for longer runs, and for that your legs will thank you after 90-minute efforts, but now there’s enough snap to make it feel fun on progression runs, steady-state workouts, or taking on full marathons if you're not into wearing carbon plated racing shoes.
It's a welcome evolution for runners who don’t want to rotate between a max cushion shoe and a tempo trainer every week; that could be due to budget constraints, or just wanting to wear one pair of trusty trainers to get most of your runs done.
Another improvement for me it stability.
The midsole walls are visibly higher in this version, offering a more cradled feel. That’s important when you’ve got this much soft ZoomX foam underfoot.
It’s not a motion control shoe by any means, but the sculpted sidewalls and wide base give just enough guidance to make things feel secure, even when cornering or running on uneven sidewalks.
Where it differs most noticeably from the Vomero 18 is ride feel, and response.
Vomero Plus (left), Vomero 18 (right)
The 18 felt like a classic plush cruiser, soft and smooth, but a little sleepy if you ever want to pick up the pace.
The Plus is a little firmer underfoot (still soft, just not plush), and more engaging throughout the stride. It doesn’t bottom out under pressure, and that firmness translates into more stability, and better ground feel, even with all that stack height.
The outsole retains a similar high-abrasion rubber design as the 18, offering confident traction on wet and dry pavement but it's night and day better in terms of durability due to the hugely improved coverage.
Vomero Plus outsole (left), Vomero 18 outsole (right)
The ZoomX core does leave a small amount of exposed foam, so I’ll be watching for early wear in those spots over time but I have seen no traction or durability issues so far.
Lastly, let’s talk about the drop. It's still 10mm, which feels high if you’re a forefoot striker, that said, the updated rocker geometry and full ZoomX setup help roll you forward, so even though I’d personally prefer a slightly lower drop, it doesn’t feel awkward or clunky, which did surprise me.
Alastair Dixon
My verdict
The Vomero Plus is what I wished the Vomero 18 could have been, a true do-it-all max cushioned daily trainer with comfort for long miles, enough snap for moderate tempo work, and the kind of fit and stability that make it an easy choice for everything in between.
You can even run a marathon in these, knowing you made a great shoe choice.
If you liked the Vomero 18 for recovery days but wanted something that could push a bit harder when you’re feeling good, this is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.
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