THE SPECS
Support: Neutral
Weight: 11.4 oz / 323 g (men), 9.3 oz / 264 g (women)
Stack Height: 46mm heel /36mm forefoot
Midsole Drop: 10 mm
Cushion Level: High
ON THE RUN
Joe: Okay, full disclosure: it’s been a *long* time since Nike made it into my daily trainer lineup—like, nearly two decades. So when the Vomero 18 landed in my hands, I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t run in a Vomero before, and let’s just say the memories of Nike's Invincible 2 (hello, marshmallow-like run across oobleck!) still haunted me. But as soon as I hit the treadmill, I realized: *This* is not that shoe.
Right from the first stride, the Vomero 18's plush cushioning made itself known, but not in that "I can’t feel my legs" way. No, this was a smooth, stable, and supportive cushion that felt more like an inviting cloud than a bouncy trampoline. The foam combo of ZoomX and ReactX really delivered—it’s soft, but with a responsive pep when you want to pick up the pace. It's like walking on marshmallows *that actually work for you*. Over the weeks, I kept finding myself reaching for these shoes for everything from easy miles to long, steady runs.
Sidney: When I first heard about weartesting the Nike Vomero 18, my initial thought was, Nah, I’ll pass. Then I looked up some reviews and saw a stunning picture of the white and rainbow colorway. That was it—I knew I needed to get my hands on a pair. I figured it would be a good test for both myself and the shoe, considering the last pair of Nikes I wore was the original Invincible (I have the same fears, Joe).
What better way to break in my Vomero 18 than a run with friends in the frigid Michigan winter? The shoe felt great for a quick three-mile jaunt through downtown Brighton in the cold. Despite my lack of fitness, I didn’t feel too terrible trying to keep up with my fast friends. The Vomero 18 is springy and responsive, yet balanced, thanks to its high stack of ZoomX foam.
When packing for a trip as a runner, choosing the right shoes is always a struggle—especially for an overpacker like me. Since I hadn’t run in two months due to health issues, I needed a shoe that would support my running comeback. After much debate, I decided to bring only one pair and put them to the ultimate test.
A day after my first run in the Vomero 18, I was finally in warm weather. Sometimes foam feels different in the cold, so now it was time for the real test. I found a route with a tree-lined path forming a heart—obviously, I had to run in circles just to get a cool Strava map. Thirty laps later on a 0.10-mile heart, I can say the Vomero 18 may have tugged at my heartstrings a little. I judged them too soon. I stereotyped them. I’m sorry, Vomeros—I take it back.
THE FIT
Joe: The Vomero 18 fits *just right*. I’m talking Goldilocks levels of "just right." My medium-width feet have had no issues in this re-engineered upper, and the fit remains solid across all types of socks. From ultra-thin Smartwool on mild days to thick cushioned socks for those Michigan winter mornings that make your face feel like it's freezing in real-time, I’ve experienced zero blisters, no hot spots. The tongue and heel are plush—Nike's improvements here really stand out, even if I can’t back them up with "before" comparisons.
The Vomero sports a 10mm heel drop, which for me is almost a bit too much, but with the nature of the combo ZoomX-ReactX midsole, there’s a good chance it functions like an 8mm heel drop when running in it (note: Nike hasn’t stated this officially, this is my personal take when comparing against other shoes I’ve run in that function at a lower heel drop than they state). The heel drop, with the improved rocker technology gave me just the right transition from heel to toe to keep the runs feeling fresh mile after mile.
Sidney: Now let’s break it down. I went up a half size in the Vomero 18, anticipating a snug fit, and I’m glad I did. However, towards the end of my run, my feet started going numb—something that happens to me often, so I chalked it up to a personal issue.
When I first slipped them on, I felt like my heel might pop out. The tongue is thick, which adds cushion but also makes it a bit tricky to get a secure lockdown. As someone who prefers a looser fit, the Vomero 18 wasn’t the most perfect match for my foot but is something I can disregard due to the stable comfort this shoe provides.
THE FEEL
Joe: Cushioning? Oh, yeah, the Vomero 18 delivers—big time. With a 7mm stack height increase from the previous version (we’re talking 46mm in the heel now), it’s *a lot* of cushion. But here's the midsole magic: Nike has blended their ZoomX and ReactX foams into one midsole in the Vomero 18. The ZoomX foam is responsive, while ReactX underneath keeps you from feeling the ground beneath your feet.
Per Nike, the two foams together give you, “one for durability and response, and the other for next-level softness.” Physically in the shoe this looks like a thin layer of ZoomX (think Vaporfly midsole) sitting onto of a thick layer of ReactX (think Pegasus midsole). And after a few weeks of runs in the Vomero 18, I agree with their statement. You certainly feel the plush cushioning of the ReactX midsole, but if you wanted to increase your tempo for a short while, the ZoomX foams adds that extra bit of pep in your step. For all of the cushioning, and the weight of the shoe (and I’m lugging around a pair of 12.5s), they feel lighter than advertised when running in them. It’s like a big, soft pillow that somehow doesn’t feel heavy or overbearing.
Overall within the scope of Nike’s running shoe line-up, the Vomero 18 finds itself as the standard bearer for the max cushion category. New to the Vomero’s release, Nike plans to restructure its daily trainer line-up, with three main categories designated by cushioning and highlighted by long-time mainstays: the Pegasus (standard cushioning), the Vomero (max cushioning), and the Structure (supportive cushioning). The “Icon” model will anchor the category, and then the “Plus” and “Premium” models will release at higher price points, building upon the “Icon” model in bigger and better ways.
Sidney: I typically go for soft, squishy foams and lower-drop shoes—my go-to’s are the Hoka Clifton 9 and Altra Torin 7. The Vomero 18 is the complete opposite: a 10mm drop and a firmer underfoot feel. Ironically, that’s exactly what excited me about this shoe. I was impressed by the pep in my step and how lively the cushioning felt. The combination of a ZoomX top layer and ReactX bottom layer? Name a better duo… I’ll wait.
That cushioning combo, paired with the rocker shape, keeps you flowing forward effortlessly.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Joe: This shoe is made for easy miles. Recovery runs? Perfect. Long runs? Yep. Tempo workouts? Well, I tried, but the icy roads and Michigan slush made it hard to really test that tempo side. Still, the combination of ZoomX's pep and ReactX's cushioning means that, if I wanted to switch gears during a run, the Vomero’s got my back.
I foresee the Vomero 18 filling the place in my current shoe line up (which my 11 year old daughter thinks is too extensive) of that shoe that I can throw on for easy miles where I really don’t want to overthink the run, and I just want the shoe to carry me mile after mile.
For comps from other brands, the ones that come to mind immediately are the Brooks Glycerin, Saucony Triumph, Hoka Clifton, and New Balance 1080.
Sidney: I won’t lie—I came into this with a bias. Since I primarily wear Altras, I had this mindset that high-drop shoes were just not for me. For whatever reason, I had a vendetta against the Vomero before even giving it a chance. Nike? Too narrow, too high-drop—everything I normally dislike in a shoe. The Vomero 18? It completely shattered my expectations. It made me question all my previous assumptions about Nike. The blend of cushioning and responsiveness felt surprisingly natural, and instead of fighting against the high drop, I found myself rolling smoothly through each stride. It wasn’t the clunky, rigid ride I had imagined—it was fun, efficient, and dare I say… enjoyable? Turns out, sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone pays off.
THE RUNDOWN
Joe: As I said at the beginning, it has been a long time since I’ve run in a daily trainer from Nike (We’re going back to high school Joe and first year of college Joe), so I didn’t know what to really expect when the Vomero 18 showed up for wear testing. My visual hesitations (Invincible 2 instability nightmares) dissolved as soon as I put on the Vomero and hopped on the treadmill. And it’s been happy miles ever since!
With the Vomero 18, you get max cushioning with Grade-A comfort. Each step you feel supported, stable, and like you could pick up the pace at any moment without really trying to work harder at it. This may not be your first choice race-day shoe, but if you’re looking for a shoe that can log miles effortlessly, with comfort to spare, the Vomero 18’s your guy (or girl... depending on your shoe collection). If you’re running long or just need a reliable daily trainer, this shoe’s a *must* for your 2025 lineup.
Sidney: I’m pumped to have this option in the Nike lineup. I’ve always felt that Nike shoes were fine but never the best choice for me—other brands just seemed to come out on top. But the Vomero 18? It puts up a fight.
It’s versatile enough for easy miles yet responsive enough to pick up the pace when needed. The combination of cushioning and stability makes it a solid choice for a variety of runs, and despite my initial hesitation, I find myself reaching for it more often than I expected. While it may not replace my go-to favorites, it has definitely earned its spot in my lineup. Nike surprised me with this one—in the best way possible.
MEET JOE 
Joe has been running consistently for two decades. In that time he's run everything from a coach's 4X100 relay to completing 3.75 marathons to stroller runs with his kids. During the spring of 2020 he ran every street in his town in a week. Today he enjoys runs with his wife, watching others smash their PRs, and finding creative ways to give back to the community through running.
All time favorite shoe: Altra FWD Via
MEET SIDNEY
Sidney despised running her entire life until a doctor told her she wasn't allowed to run. A switch flipped and now she still can't stop years later. With an abundance of shoes and always being constantly on the move, she's fairly knowledgeable in the shoe game.
All time favorite shoe: Altra Experience Wild