ON THE RUN
Keith: The first time I hit the road in the Nike Vomero Plus, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d been here before—testing out a crazy-looking Nike shoe stuffed with massive quantities of ZoomX foam. But this time was different.
Maybe it was the “Whoa, those look cool” compliment I got before I even started my run. Maybe it was the glorious absence of heel pain for the first time in weeks. Or maybe—just maybe—it was the fact that this full layer of ZoomX didn’t feel like I was bouncing on a waterbed or stepping on a balloon filled with Jell-O (looking at you, Invincible).
Don’t get me wrong, I grew to love the Invincible, but it took me a couple miles to figure out how to run in it—it kinda had a mind of its own. The Vomero Plus? Instant groove. No drama, no adjustment period. Just cushion, comfort, and smooth turnover that made zoning out on my run feel effortless.
If you like your max cushion but want a side of stability and not too much squish-fest, the Vomero Plus hits that mark and makes every run feel easier.
Sidney: Laying eyes on the Vomero line for the first time, I looked like a cartoon character with hearts in my eyes—and after sneaking a try-on of the Vomero Premium (spoiler alert: hot dang, it’s good), I knew the Vomero Plus would steal my heart too. As a former Nike side eye-er who fell hard for the Vomero 18, I was beyond excited to test out the all-new Vomero Plus. Nike’s new Plus and Premium game is simple: take a solid shoe and make it extra—more cushion, more comfort, more epic in every way.
My relationship with the Vomero Plus started like one of those “right shoe, wrong time” love stories. A brutal heat wave had just steamrolled into Southeast Michigan—humidity through the roof, temps soaring, basically a Texas summer cosplay. On top of that, I was nursing a case of plantar fasciitis after jumping back into high-mileage weeks post race. So our first run together? Definitely not a dreamy first date. I was buzzing with excitement and butterflies, but my arches were screaming and my legs felt like concrete blocks. Not exactly sparks flying—but hey, Vomero Plus, it’s me, not you.
THE FIT
Keith: Whether it’s totally fair or not, Nike tends to get roasted for making shoes that fit like a vice. But with some of their newer models—like the Vomero Plus—they’ve clearly loosened up. This might be the highest volume fit I’ve had in a Nike… maybe ever. The base is nice and wide, giving your feet a roomy landing pad, and the foot sits deep enough in the shoe to avoid any annoying toe or top-of-foot rub.
And can we talk about the ankle collar and tongue for a second? So many max cushion shoes come with paper-thin tongues—like that’s the magic trick to making them lighter. Spoiler: it’s not. It just makes them less comfortable. But not here. The Vomero Plus brings the plush, with cushy touchpoints all around. It’s like a cozy foot hug in 360 degrees—and yes, that’s exactly as nice as it sounds.
Sidney: As someone who usually sticks with Altras for their roomy toe boxes, I was honestly surprised by how well the Vomero 18 fit — and even more so with the Vomero Plus. Nike clearly made some updates here, because the fit feels more generous through the forefoot and midfoot without going overboard. The toe box gives your toes space to splay naturally, but still holds things in nicely with just enough structure in the upper.
The mesh over the toes is soft, breathable, and moves well with your foot — no weird pressure spots up top. Heel lockdown feels secure without being overbuilt, and the padded collar adds a nice touch of comfort. For Nike, it’s shockingly roomy — and honestly, a breath of fresh air compared to their usual fit.
THE FEEL
Keith: It’s inevitable that the Vomero Plus will draw comparisons to Nike’s Invincible series—a shoe with a serious cult following. I’ll admit, I was drinking a lot of the kool-aid on the original Invincible. But let’s be honest: it lost its magic with each new version. Thankfully, Nike hit the brakes and took the time to rethink things. The result? A true max-cushion option runners can count on for miles cushion and comfort in the Vomero Plus.
This shoe has the high stack you’d expect from a max-cushion model, but without the overly squishy feel that turns your stride into a slog. Instead, it’s tuned just right—soft enough to protect, firm enough to keep your legs from feeling like flimsy bamboo sticks wobbling with every step. And for a shoe with this much cushion, the transition is impressively smooth.
I was battling some pretty nasty arch and heel irritation when my test pair arrived, and honestly, I thought I’d have to hold off on any real running. But that first run? Nearly pain-free. I’ve got to hand it to Nike—they’ve struck a rare balance between softness and structure. The Vomero Plus offers the kind of plush, reliable protection that max-cushion lovers dream about.
Sidney: Now one thing about me is that I love cushioning. Max cushion shoes are my jam. The Vomero Plus delivers big in that department — but what caught me off guard was just how dialed in the foam feels. It’s plush underfoot with that soft, pillowy landing you’d expect, but it doesn’t end there. There’s an impressive amount of rebound and spring that kicks in right as you toe off, giving the shoe a smooth, rolling sensation with a touch of snap.
Here’s where it gets interesting: the Vomero Plus features a full-length ZoomX midsole — the same ultra-light, ultra-bouncy foam found in Nike’s top-tier racers like the Alphafly and Vaporfly. Seeing it in a max cushion daily trainer had me scratching my head at first. Isn’t that stuff too unstable to even walk in?
But somehow, Nike pulled it off. The Vomero Plus rides like a completely different animal. It feels way more grounded and stable than anything with ZoomX. The wider base and smart shaping through the midsole calm that usual ZoomX chaos. It’s like Nike finally figured out how to let this wild foam party... but with a chaperone.
With a mountainous stack of ZoomX underfoot, the Vomero Plus somehow manages to feel both plush and controlled. One of the most versatile max cushion shoes I’ve run in — and that’s saying something.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Keith: Now’s the part of the review where I get to say something a little mean. Luckily for the Vomero Plus, it’s not about comfort or performance—because those are rock solid. My gripe? It’s the look. From a distance, this thing gives off serious Air Max 720 vibes, and not in a good way. I’ve actually found myself preemptively telling people, “No, these aren’t those.” But hey, even if I get a few side-eyes from snobby Nike hating purists, I’m still out here running happy—like a golden retriever off leash at a farmer’s market. Blissfully unaware. Unapologetically stoked.
Sidney: The Vomero Plus is that Goldilocks pick between the baseline Vomero 18 and the upcoming Vomero Premium — right where Nike seems to want it. It’s more fun and energetic than the traditional Vomero 18, and more tame than the Premium (from the few steps I’ve taken in that one, anyway).
Think of your favorite high-cushion daily trainer — and now give it real energy. The Vomero Plus takes a mountain of ZoomX, delivers plush underfoot comfort, and adds a bounce that feels more like a springboard than a sponge. Soft where it should be, responsive when you need it, and never dull.
That said, the “supertrainer” category is evolving fast. Other brands are dropping some seriously impressive foam — lighter, livelier, and closing the gap.
Sorry, Vomero Plus — I still love you. But runners should know: there’s more heat coming.
THE RUNDOWN
Keith: Max-cushion shoes are having a serious moment—every brand’s got their heavyweight contender in the ring. But true to form, Nike didn’t just show up to the party… they made sure to cut the line and grab the aux cord. Enter the Vomero Plus.
Thanks to the ZoomX midsole, it’s easy to lump this shoe in with the super trainers like the New Balance SuperComp Trainer, Mizuno Neo Vista, or Hoka Skyward X. But truthfully? The Vomero Plus is vibing more with the Hoka Bondi, Puma Mag Max, and New Balance More. This isn’t your race-day rocket ship—it’s your cruise-control Cadillac.
It shines brightest on long, slow days and those blessed recovery runs when your legs feel like overcooked spaghetti. So, if your idea of a good time involves 20 miles at a conversation pace and zero drama from your feet, the Vomero Plus is ready for that party pace!
Sidney: Like Keith mentioned, max cushioned trainers are the thing right now — and I’d like to add on... The rise of the supertrainer — high cushioning, peppy feel, no plate — is taking over. Gone are the days of daily training in a carbon-plated shoe when you can get that same energetic ride plus more protection and durability, all thanks to the latest foam tech. We're seeing some of the lightest, most cushioned trainers ever hit the market.
And this is just the start.
Now just wait for that Vomero Premium...
