Nike Vomero Plus Performance Review

Nike Running continues to unveil the shoes that make up its new (as of late 2024) matrix approach to running shoes. The latest addition is the Nike Vomero Plus. It’s both an upgrade over the Vomero 18 and a replacement for the popular Nike Invincible series. Some think the Invincible peaked with the original while others prefer the third iteration.

The Vomero Plus attempts to mix Invincible and Vomero DNA and create something even better. Did Nike succeed? Let’s find out.

What is the Nike Vomero Plus?

According to Nike, the Vomero Plus “provides an ultra-comfortable ride for every day runs thanks to a mountainous stack of full-length ZoomX foam, the most responsive foam in the industry.”

“[M]ountainous stack” is pretty close to correct as the heel boasts 45 mm of midsole. That’s about the same stack as the Vomero 18 (46 mm in the heel); but instead of a midsole split between ReactX and ZoomX, the Vomero Plus is all the latter. And yes, PEBAX, which is used to create ZoomX, is probably the most responsive foam in the industry (although certain blends of ATPU are equally fantastic).

A Nike product description that’s really light on the marketing pizazz? Surprising but appreciated.

Cushion

As mentioned previously, the Nike Vomero Plus features a full-length ZoomX midsole similar to what appeared on the three Nike Invincible models—except this ZoomX feels different. Nike’s press release called it “an evolved version” of ZoomX. ZoomX now feels different across a bunch of different models: the Pegasus Plus, Streakfly 2, and Vaporfly 4 to name a few.

The ZoomX in the Nike Vomero Plus feels less like an Invincible and more like the Asics Superblast 2. It’s soft and plush, but the plushness is contained so that the shoe doesn’t list too needlessly side-to-side. I didn’t sink down into the shoe as much as I did in the Invincible series but still got a nice pop when pushing off while running. It’s much more stable than an Invincible and falls into a nice middle ground between the Invincible series and the Vomero 18.

That said, if the Nike Invincible series bothered your ankles or knees with its softness, you’ll start feeling the same thing here after a few runs. The Vomero Plus midsole breaks in, softens up, and gets bouncier once it’s got around 10-15 miles in it.

I still think most Invincible fans will appreciate the setup, but it’s no more friendly for walking than that shoe was. I wouldn’t choose it as a theme park shoe or for a job with a lot of standing. It’s too much of a soft boy for that type of use case. [Editor’s Note: A “soft boy”, eh? Pardon me while I imagine the great many interpretations of this sentence out of context…] The Vomero Plus is best when on the run and soaking up daily miles while providing maximum impact protection.

Support

As mentioned in cushion section, the Nike Vomero Plus is more supportive than any Nike Invincible but not as supportive as its lower tier cousin, the Vomero 18. This means you can corner without feeling like there’s a good chance of sliding off the footbed, and uneven cobblestone isn’t necessarily inviting an ankle sprain.

I think it’s a nice level of stability for a shoe meant to be super soft with a heavy emphasis on impact protection.

Traction

The Nike Vomero Plus gets a full-coverage waffle pattern outsole that riffs off the patterns from the Nike Invincible line. It works well in dry and wet conditions. Transitions from wet to dry don’t cause issues either.

Durability is ok but not top tier. During the test period I noticed the traction lugs in my high-wear zones took a beating. There’s plenty of rubber, but that rubber is on the softer side. I expect durability to be slightly below average.

Upper

The upper on the Nike Vomero Plus is a mixed bag. The thin, engineered mesh upper looks amazing and allows a lot of airflow (helpful during my summer test period). The thin but strong build also helps the shoe feel lighter as there’s no bulk above or around the foot.

Well, with one exception. The tongue is weirdly poofy and crinkly. It feels cheap in comparison to the rest of the shoe and doesn’t lie as flat or as out of the way as the better tongues on the market. A more streamlined tongue would be a much better fit with the rest of the upper’s construction.

Is the Nike Vomero Plus wide-foot friendly?

For a Nike shoe (and versus the Vomero 18), the Vomero Plus provides some extra room in the forefoot and midfoot. That’s helpful, but I think most wide-footers will want to opt for the extra wide versions that are available in both men’s and women’s sizing on the Nike site.

Is the Nike Vomero Plus worth $180?

Yes, the Nike Vomero Plus earns its $180 price tag. Even though it’s not a particularly versatile shoe, the amount and type of cushion are exactly what’s expected from a $180 shoe. If you view it as the spiritual successor to the Invincible line, it’s comforting to note that the price point has been $180 ever since its launch in 2021, a rarity in today’s sneaker market.

How to use the Nike Vomero Plus

The Nike Vomero Plus is best used for easy, recovery, and long runs. The max-cushion build optimizes impact protection and helps insulate legs from taking too much pounding on normal, everyday runs.

Nike Vomero Plus Summary

The Nike Vomero Plus picks up where the Invincible line ended and provides a high-cushion, full-length ZoomX option for those who want it. It’s all about impact protection, but there’s a nice bounce and more stability than expected from an all-ZoomX shoe. There are some issues, including outsole durability and a subpar tongue, but fans of the Invincible line will be happy as will people who love their Vomero 18 and want a little more softness underfoot for days when they need it. And with Nike absolutely nailing the aesthetics, we’ll see a lot more people than just runners rocking the Vomero Plus.

How does the Author Run?

Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Disclosure

While Nike did provide pairs of the Vomero Plus to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.