Nike Vomero Plus review: the do-it-all max cushion trainer
Full-length ZoomX makes the Vomero Plus lighter, faster, and far more versatile than the Vomero 18, without losing the cushion. Here's what changed, who it's for, and how it sits against the Vomero Premium.
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 all 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.
The Vomero 18 is one of my top picks in my best cushioned running shoes roundup, if you want to see how it stacks up against the other options.
Wondering whether the Plus is worth $25 more than the Vomero 18? Read my full Vomero Plus vs Vomero 18 breakdown, next.
Nike Vomero Plus vs Vomero 18: which one should you buy?
Nike Vomero Plus vs Vomero 18 compared head to head. Foam, weight, ride, durability, and price differences explained, with a clear pick for your running.
Alastair Dixon
If you purchase gear through links in this article, I may earn a small affiliate commission. For my training tools, exclusive content, newsletter, and more perks become a member, (it's free!). -Alastair ✌🏼
Key specifications
- Price: $180 at Nike
- 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
What changed from the Vomero 18
The headline change is the midsole. The Vomero 18 ran a ZoomX top layer over a ReactX base; the Plus goes full-length ZoomX, and that one swap is where the extra bounce and pace range come from.
It's also lighter by a full ounce (9.9 oz / 282g vs the 18's 10.9 oz / 309g, both US men's 9), and it sits a touch lower at 43mm/33mm against the 18's 46mm/36mm. You notice both most when you pick the pace up and the shoe turns over faster than a max-stack trainer has any right to.
The midsole sidewalls are visibly higher, so the foot sits more cradled, and the outsole rubber now covers most of the sole instead of the patchy layout on the 18. Durability is night and day better because of it.
The upper is a dual-layer engineered mesh that breathes far better than the 18's, while keeping the same plush collar and tongue padding. Fit and sizing are unchanged, and the drop stays at 10mm.
Nike Vomero Plus vs Vomero 18: which one should you buy?
Nike Vomero Plus vs Vomero 18 compared head to head. Foam, weight, ride, durability, and price differences explained, with a clear pick for your running.
Alastair Dixon
Price went up $25, from $155 to $180. If you're weighing that gap, my Vomero Plus vs Vomero 18 comparison settles it, and the best daily trainer running shoes roundup shows where the Plus lands against the rest of the category.
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.
The Best Running Shoes, Right Now
From daily training miles to trail ultras and race-day PRs, these are the best running shoes of the year (so far) that I personally rely on and recommend after thousands of miles of real-world testing. This is the ultimate running shoe rotation.
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.
Nike Vomero Plus vs ASICS Superblast 2: Which is best?
Nearly identical in feel but Superblast 2 has a bit more pop, while Vomero Plus brings a touch more comfort and control to your long runs.
Alastair Dixon
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 is 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.
7 Tips For Running Longer Distances
Learn how to build stamina, properly fuel your body, and develop mental resilience to hit your long-distance running goals!
Alastair Dixon
Vomero Plus vs Vomero Premium: which one?
Nike now sells the Vomero in three tiers: the Vomero 18, the Vomero Plus, and the Vomero Premium. The Premium is the tallest and the most expensive of the three, and it's a different tool.
On paper the Vomero Premium is a $230 recovery shoe with a 55.5mm heel (yes you read that correctly) and 45.5mm forefoot (10mm drop), full-length ZoomX plus Air Zoom units under the heel and forefoot, and an official weight around 12.3 oz in a men's 9.
That's roughly 12mm more stack and about 2.4 oz more shoe than the Plus, for $50 more. The Premium is built for slow, easy, high-mileage days where you want the maximum amount of foam between you and the road.
The Plus is the one I'd point most runners to. At 43mm/33mm and 9.9 oz it keeps enough stack to protect your legs on long runs while staying light and lively enough for progression runs and steady workouts, which is exactly the range a single daily trainer should cover.
If your rotation already has a fast shoe and you only want a plush cruiser for recovery days, the Premium is the one to look at. If you want one shoe to do most of your running, that's the Plus.
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.
Nike Vomero Plus FAQ
Is the Nike Vomero Plus true to size?
Yes. Sizing is consistent with the Vomero 18, and the toe box gives a little more room than most traditional Nike running shoes. I run my usual size.
Is the Vomero Plus good for long runs and marathons?
Yes. The full-length ZoomX midsole gives plenty of impact protection past the 90-minute mark, and there's enough snap in it to hold marathon pace. You can race a marathon in it if you don't want a carbon plated racing shoe.
Best Carbon Plate Running Shoes 2026: 15 Tested Racers
The 15 best carbon plate running shoes of 2026, race-tested by me. Max-cushion marathon supershoes and snappy 5K-to-half racers, ranked.
Alastair Dixon
Vomero Plus or Vomero 18: which should you buy?
The Plus, unless you only ever run slow recovery miles. It's lighter, bouncier, more stable, and more durable for $25 more. The 18 is the softer, plusher cruiser of the two.
Is the Nike Vomero Plus a stability shoe?
No. It's a neutral max-cushion trainer, but the higher midsole sidewalls and wide base make it noticeably more secure than the 18. If you need real support, start with my best stability running shoes roundup.
Best Stability Running Shoes 2026: 10 Tested Picks
The 10 best stability running shoes of 2026, tested over real miles. Modern guidance that steers without correcting, ranked by how they run.
Alastair Dixon
How much does the Nike Vomero Plus weigh, and what is the stack height?
9.9 oz (282g) in a US men's 9, with a 43mm heel and 33mm forefoot for a 10mm drop.
If you haven't already, signup for my free newsletter, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for all the latest running shoe reviews. 👉🏼 And for an inside look at what comes into my studio with unboxings, lace up reels, behind the scenes, and short form reviews, follow me on Instagram, and TikTok. -Alastair
Written by
Subscribe to new posts
reviews, training tips, and thoughtful stories for runners
Member discussion