Nike Vomero 18 review

We tested the Nike Vomero 18 and found that:

• Runners dreaming of a max-stack Vomero finally got their wish.
• It shines during long runs and slow-paced jogs, offering deep, comfort-focused cushioning.
• Nike’s price cut makes it more accessible, great news for those who hesitated in the past.
• Heel strikers looking for plush landings and ultra-soft comfort will feel right at home in this shoe.

We think the Vomero 18 isn’t the best pick for runners who want a lightweight running shoe. It’s on the heavier end, and based on our test runs, it lacks the agility needed for fast-paced sessions. From our perspective, shoes like the ASICS Novablast 5 or Adidas Adizero EVO SL offer similar cushioning in much lighter packages.

We’re also convinced that the narrow toebox is a real drawback for many. It doesn’t allow natural toe splay, which could become a dealbreaker for runners with wider feet. Instead, we’d go with the Topo Atmos or Mizuno Wave Sky 8.

We discovered that the Vomero 18 has officially joined the max-stack club. With a massive 42.5 mm in the heel compared to just 33.9 mm in the Vomero 17, it’s one of the most dramatic one-year transformations we’ve seen in our lab.

This change brings a super-cushioned ride that works especially well for heavier runners, long-mileage fans, or anyone needing extra joint protection. It’s also ideal for heel strikers who love comfort-first designs, although those avoiding ultra-thick midsoles might prefer the more classic-feeling Vomero 17.

The forefoot sits at a more modest 28.6 mm. It’s still a high stack height that works great for Sunday long runs and sits above average—but it didn’t exactly blow us away like the heel.

It’s also worth mentioning that both our measurements came in well below Nike’s stated specs: 46 mm in the heel and 36 mm in the forefoot. From what we saw in the lab, it definitely doesn’t look like that.

We discovered that the surprisingly low forefoot stack contributed to a towering 13.9 mm heel-to-toe drop. This, combined with the oversized heel, creates a setup ideal for rearfoot strikers or those with Achilles tendon issues—but not great for fans of flatter, more natural-feeling rides.

Oh, and that photo also showcases much of each foam is packed into the Vomero 18: ZoomX is the white layer, while the blue one underneath is ReactX.

Nike first introduced a decent dose of ZoomX in version 17, and now it’s stepping things up with even more premium PEBA-based foam underfoot.

We tested it at 15.0 HA, and thanks to the mega-cushioned heel, the ride feels really plush. We really believe that it's amazing for comfort-driven, slow-paced runs.

We know it can be confusing—especially if you haven’t read our deep-dive guide on foams—but brands like Nike often reuse names for different compounds. That means this isn’t the same ZoomX you’ll find in the Vaporfly 4. Instead, it’s a training-friendly, durability-boosted version with less energy return. And yes—we checked it under the microscope.

The Alphafly 3’s ZoomX (left) reveals an airy PEBA structure made for racing and max performance. Meanwhile, the Vomero 18’s version (right) is clearly denser and heavier, pointing to a long-lasting blend that’s clearly optimized for daily training rather than max-speed performance.

One thing that hasn’t changed in this 18th version is the dual-foam setup, with the firmer compound still sitting in the bottom layer. However, Nike swapped the underwhelming Cushlon 3.0 for the far superior ReactX foam.

We also liked how Nike made it super clear which layer is which. But you don't need that with RunRepeat, as we cut the shoe in half anyway to give you the ultra-transparent truth of every shoe.

By the way, this secondary ReactX layer scored 21.5 HA in our test. It’s firmer than ZoomX yet still comfortable, offering a stability-focused, durability-enhancing base with a much better bounce than Cushlon 3.0 ever delivered.

One of the key benefits of Pebax as a foam material is its cold-resistant nature. We proved it, with only a 13% firmness increase after 20 minutes in our freezer test.

The insole is a standard Nike design found in many of their training shoes, measuring 4.6 mm in thickness. Definitely functional but far from exciting.

The Vomero series has always offered a traditional-feeling ride without a dramatic rocker—and despite the chunky midsole of version 18, that heritage remains. We discovered a moderate-yet-subtle forefoot rocker, far less aggressive than in rival max-stack trainers.

The heel includes a generously beveled rear, which helps heel strikers roll forward more easily. But for those after a low-rockered, maximalist daily trainer, this design is ideal.

We crafted a gel-based replica of the Vomero 18 using our in-house method to analyze its fit.

We measured a width of 95.6 mm—right around average—but we discovered the shoe feels tighter than expected, especially for a max-cushion daily trainer. Let's find out why.

We discovered that the toebox width is the limiting factor—far from average and clearly on the narrow side at 69.6 mm.

Nike’s history of tapered designs continues here, as the pointy toebox of the Vomero 18 feels restrictive. However, for those with narrow feet, it's excellent.

The toebox height felt adequate all the time, even during long runs.

While it sits slightly below average at 26.2 mm, the soft-and-adaptive upper material ensures there’s no real issue with comfort or pressure in this area.

We tested the Vomero 18 using our custom-built traction machine to evaluate grip in wet conditions. It scored just 0.38, which indicates good grip on dry surfaces but only decent traction in demanding weather.

We expected better, though is not a secret that Nike sometimes struggles with grip. This rubber feels firm and slightly plasticky, which doesn’t help on soaked pavement. If grip is a top priority and you need a maximalist shoe, we recommend the Puma MagMax Nitro with its amazing PumaGrip outsole.

The Vomero 18 brings a completely overhauled outsole that distances itself from the full-length waffle outsole used in past versions.

We discovered that Nike prioritized durability in high-impact zones by reinforcing the heel and forefoot edges. However, the smooth central groove and large exposed foam sections in the midfoot are a reminder that weight-saving choices were also part of the equation.

The Nike Vomero 18 is a neutral shoe, but we discovered it offers a few stability-friendly features. Its wider base, firmer ReactX foam, and subtle sidewalls help guide the foot gently.

While it doesn’t offer structured support like a stability shoe, it's stable enough for all neutral runners. Those with mild stability issues may especially benefit from the rearfoot design, which takes some cues from recent Adidas shoes.

Daily trainers are losing the flexibility that was so common just a few years ago, and the Vomero 18 clearly reflects that shift.

It moves from a 3/5 score in version 17 to 4/5 in v18. That's a solid result given that many road daily trainers have become fully rigid. And this change was inevitable due to the extra-deep midsole packed with more foam.

The heel counter lands at a balanced 3/5, but it feels incredibly comfortable thanks to Nike’s effort to create a plush step-in experience—packing the area with generous, pillow-like cushioning that hugs the heel softly.

Despite embracing a maximalist stack height, we appreciate that Nike kept the Vomero’s dimensions relatively contained—instead of opting for a super-wide, bulky design. The 116.6 mm forefoot strikes a nice balance between supportive stability and decent agility.

The heel follows the same philosophy, though it leans more toward the bulky side at 96.5 mm. But with the stack height pushing beyond 40 mm, Nike didn’t have much choice—extra width was simply necessary here.

We locked the Vomero 18 into our flex machine and ran a 30-degree bend test. It required 16.0N of force—an increase of 51% over version 17. As we already told you, this isn’t the same easy-bending Vomero from the past.

Another downside of this update is the weight, climbing to 10.5 oz or 298g. While manageable for easy runs and understandable given its size, it’s still a heavy shoe—there’s no point pretending otherwise.

The Vomero series has always been known for comfort-first designs, and version 18 keeps that tradition alive. Still, comfort-focused uppers and breathability rarely go hand in hand—a challenge we saw here once again.

We ran our smoke-pumping test and watched the vapor struggle to escape. While it eventually did, the airflow rate was more limited than what we wanted. We gave it a 3/5, which we consider usable for year-round runs—but we'd recommend thin socks for summer use.

Shining a bright light through the upper revealed how thick and dense it is. Barely any light made it through, which is something we rarely see in the lab.

Zooming in with our digital microscope showed a double-layer engineered mesh that prioritizes plush comfort. The yarns looked thick and fluffy—a big reason why this shoe feels so padded and also why it's heavier than expected.

Touching the upper confirmed what we saw under the scope.

The material felt soft and cushioned throughout, especially around the heel and tongue. Maybe even too much!

The soft engineered mesh of the Vomero 18 held up surprisingly well in our durability test. A 3/5 may not sound amazing, but considering those ventilation holes and comfortable fabric, it’s actually a solid performance.

The heel padding is not just incredibly plush—it’s also impressively long-lasting. We tested it with our Dremel and it earned a rare 5/5, which is remarkable for such pillow-loaded cushioning that usually compromises durability.

The outsole is one of the less exciting elements of the Vomero 18, and our Dremel test confirmed it. While 1.1 mm of wear is acceptable, we prefer to see daily trainers dipping below 1 mm.

To ensure the outsole holds up over time, Nike added 3.8 mm of rubber—more than the average. However, this layer slightly contributes to the shoe’s already noticeable weight.

Nike dropped the price of the Vomero 18. That's huge, especially after years of nothing but increases on most brands. In fact, we’ve been content just seeing prices stay the same in the last three years, so this move genuinely caught our attention as Nike, as a company, loves profit.

The reason? Well' it’s a strategic shift. For 2025, Nike restructured its lineup with the Pegasus and Vomero series now split into three clear tiers: standard, Plus, and Premium. To create enough price gap between them, the Vomero had to slide down into a more competitive bracket. So it’s not that Nike suddenly wants you to save some money. But still, a win for every runner!

We found three reflective straps on the heel of the Vomero 18, helping boost visibility to cars, bikes, and motorbikes when running in low-light conditions or after dark.

The Vomero 18 has a lacing system made of textile webbing, which are stitched directly into the upper rather than punched into synthetic overlays. This webbed eyelet row design reduces pressure on the foot and allows for a more adaptive fit, distributing tension evenly across the instep.

The tongue screams comfort at 13.4 mm of padding, placing it on the upper end of the scale. If you’re after a plush-and-protective step-in feel that cushions your instep like a dream, this one nails it. However, runners who prefer a more thinner, lighter tongue will likely find the Vomero 18 too bulky for their taste.

In our view, given the shoe’s already heavy profile, a thinner tongue—maybe around 6 or 7 mm—would’ve created a better weight-to-comfort balance.

Despite the price drop, Nike didn’t skip some premium touches of the Vomero line. We discovered a semi-gusseted tongue—a welcome feature that noticeably improves lockdown and keeps the fit secure during runs.

We liked that Nike put real thought into the heel design instead of tossing in a random finger-loop tab. It’s cleverly integrated into the heel counter, offering a dual-purpose setup that adds a premium touch.

The stock insole comes out effortlessly, and we discovered that most third-party replacements slide in without any fit issues.