Nike Vomero Premium Review
By David Salas and Andrea Myers
Nike Vomero PremiumPrice: $229.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 11.6 oz, 329g (men's size 9), 10.0 oz, 283g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 55 mm heel / 45 mm forefoot (Men's)
Drop: 10 mm
Shoe Purpose: Maximum Cushioning, Daily Training Shoe, Road Running
Pros: Excellent rocker with a lot of bounce. Spacious fitting upper with good lockdown.
Cons: Certainly on the heavier side. Potentially too high for those with balance and proprioception issues.
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Nike Vomero Premium is a maximum cushioned daily training shoe that has the goal of providing an "anti-gravity sensation" per Nike. The shoe has a towering stack height of 55mm in the heel (men's 10) with an incredibly bouncy ride. The shoe has a lot of sole flaring and a large rocker to accompany the stack height and provide for a more stable experience. The upper is very spacious without sacrificing lockdown. It is a lot of shoe that carries some weight, but it provides a very well-designed rocker for those logging long miles on the road.
SIMILAR SHOES: Adidas Prime X Strung 3, Hoka Skyward X
PAST MODEL: New Model
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
David: The Nike Vomero Premium fits true to size in my Men's 9.5. The general fit throughout is very spacious. The shoe has a lot of volume in the forefoot and throughout the full length of the shoe. The width in the heel, midfoot, and forefoot are all slightly wide. The tongue has a lot of padding to it, and I had no biting from the laces. Despite the space throughout the shoe, it did lock down really well. I did not have any issues with foot translation or heel slippage. The upper material is a thicker mesh, but it actually breathes decently well when running. I never got any hot spots or irritation. There is a stiff heel counter, but I had no issues with rubbing or pressure into the Achilles region. The upper does provide a premium feel to it, without sacrificing breathability. I was impressed with how well it fit and performed for a shoe this large.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Andrea: The Nike Vomero Premium fits true to size in my usual women's 9.5. While I found the Vomero 18 and Vomero Plus too narrow and slightly short in the toe box, the Vomero Premium has a slightly wider and higher volume toe box that I found very comfortable. I have nearly a full thumb's width from the front of my big to to the end of the shoe. The midfoot and rearfoot are normal width and I found the overall fit to be secure and comfortable. The gusseted tongue is highly padded and contributes to the secure fit of the upper. It was easy to lock down the laces without many on the run adjustments. The rearfoot features a small, rigid counter in the lower half of the rearfoot and there is moderate internal padding. I have no complaints about the fit of the Vomero Premium and it is definitely the best fitting for me of the current Vomero lineup.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: Brooks Hyperion Max 1 and 2, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, ASICS Novablast 4 and 5, PUMA MagMax Nitro
Shoes that have fit snug: Altra Escalante 4 (toe box width and volume), Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 and 3 (length), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-4 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes, if no balance impairments
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes, if no balance impairments
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not very flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Spacious enough, but not recommended due to foam
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Good
PERFORMANCE
David: The Nike Vomero Premium was one of the few shoes this year that gave me a unique ride experience. This shoe is very different than other maximum cushioned trainers on the market. The Vomero Premium really leans into the super shoe technology for its bounce, but then builds around it to provide a relatively stable trainer. The shoe also has more stack height than any other shoe that I have run in so far. The stack height is 55mm in the heel and 45mm of stack in Men's 10. There is a lot of sole flaring to accommodate the stack height. This is a lot of shoe. Despite that, the shoe still had a decent amount of life when running in it.
The Nike Vomero Premium operates off of a stiffer rocker platform with a very noticeable amount of bounce. The midsole is full length ZoomX that is accompanied with large Air Zoom units in both the heel and the forefoot. The shoe has a lot of compliance to it where the pods are. You get a suspension-like feeling when loading the shoe in both of those regions. The heel especially feels like you are suspending into a water bed or a thick gel of some kind. That sensation is quickly followed by a large bounce and rebound on the other side of it. That feeling in the heel was novel for me in a training shoe like this. The wider platform underfoot is also very noticeable and is welcomed. The wide platform, stiff rocker, and midsole combination make for a very bouncy and rockered ride underfoot. For some this won't be an issue, but I do have to acknowledge it.
In order to get all of this into the shoe, it does come with weight. I do tend to be a little more sensitive to heavier shoes, and so I could feel a little fatigue in my hip flexors when running in the Vomero Premium for longer distances. However, my feet and calves felt quite good. The bounciness of the shoe feels great at controlled paces. The weight gets in the way of going faster, and you almost feel like you want just plant the shoe once you lift it and get it out in front of you. The shoe feels great in a tight cyclical rhythm. For shuffling miles and long outings this shoe is great if you can tolerate the weight. The outsole traction is pretty good underfoot and is relatively full contact. This really is a "premium" feeling trainer from top to bottom.
Andrea: The Nike Vomero Premium is a maximal stack shoe that features forefoot and rearfoot Air Zoom units, which provides a unique and bouncy ride. As a midfoot striker, the Nike Alphafly 1 has been my favorite racing shoe for half marathon down, because it feels like the forefoot Air Zoom units placement is optimized with my midfoot strike. I feel similarly about the Nike Victory 2 track spike, which also features forefoot Air Pods and has been my spike of choice for the 800 and mile in the past year. When I saw the design of the Vomero Premium, I thought it might be a maximal shoe that would work well for me due to its unique forefoot Air Zoom units. The combination of the extremely thick slab of Zoom X with the rearfoot and forefoot Air Zoom units results in the shoe feeling mildly firm at initial contact and surprisingly bouncy at push off. There is some give at initial contact due to the loading of the Air Zoom units, but not nearly as soft as I would expect due to the Zoom X midsole. This was a very nice sensation for easy runs, particularly recovery runs when my legs were tired. Whenever I review a maximal shoe, I almost always end up comparing it to the New Balance SC Trainer v1, which is definitely my favorite maximal shoe due to its firm midsole and extremely rockered ride. That shoe felt like it ran for me, which was greatly appreciated during marathon training. In contrast, the Vomero Premium is not quite as heavy, but has a more cushioned and bouncy ride as opposed to the heavily rockered ride of the SC Trainer v1.
One thing I did not like about it is on days where I really needed to be running recovery pace, the bouncy ride of the shoe resulted in me running faster than I intended. When I tested the shoe on regular easy runs at slightly faster paces, the shoe's weight became more noticeable and I wished for something lighter, despite the bouncy ride. The shoe's stated drop is 10mm, but the moderate heel bevel and compliance from the Air Zoom units make it feel more like a 6-8mm drop shoe for me. I did not notice the rearfoot getting in the way of my preferred midfoot strike, even when running recovery paces. I think the unique forefoot pods make the shoe particularly well suited for midfoot strikers, but you have to be willing to deal with the higher weight in exchange for the bouncy ride.
I have 25 miles on my pair and there is almost no visible wear on the full coverage rubber outsole. The shoe provides excellent grip on wet roads thanks to the small lugs that cover most of the shoe's surface. I would expect average to above average durability from the shoe, which will likely be dependent on the durability of the Zoom X (and pods) as opposed to outsole wear.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
David: For being at 55mm of stack height, the Nike Vomero Premium does not run that unstable. The shoe is very wide underfoot and has a well-contoured rocker for easing transitions. The upper lockdown is quite good and I found the shoe reliable in most situations. The shoe definitely has a lot of compliance and bounce to it. The things I listed above help counter that, but it does not entirely eliminate some of the inherent instability that will come with this much ZoomX and Air Zoom. Another thing worth noting is ground feel. This shoe is very high up and the materials don't lend it to giving you much ground feel. When you are loading the shoe from a running standpoint the foam will compress and you will feel the ground some, but this effect is diminished with standing and walking. This can also effect how the shoe feels running in dirt and trail. Because of this, I do keep this shoe to road running. The shoe still runs pretty neutral for me, but I honestly think they did a pretty good job of making a workable platform with this much shoe.
Andrea: The Vomero Premium is a neutral shoe that is more stable than I would expect for its high stack height. The wide base, which runs the length of the shoe without tapering at the midfoot, is essential to stabilizing such a tall shoe. The moderate rocker geometry provides noticeable guidance to forward motion, in addition to the bounce from the Air Zoom units. The shoe also features balanced sole flaring that also runs the length of the shoe, further helping to center the foot on the tall platform. I never felt like the shoe was unstable medially or laterally, which is what I am often concerned about in maximal shoes. While the Vomero Premium does not provide true medial or laterally biased stability, it does a good job of keeping the foot centered on the very tall platform.
Thoughts as a DPT: Consumer Considerations for Running and Walking Shoes
By David Salas
The Nike Vomero Premium is a very unique shoe. The shoe is incredibly tall, soft, and bouncy (even by today's standards). However, it does follow a lot of modern trends as well. The shoe has a very wide base at the outsole and a lot of sole flaring in the midsole. The shoe also uses a large rocker profile that is consistent with other maximum cushioned training shoes. On the surface, this would look like a shoe that anyone could grab if they wanted a little more cushion than they already had. That will apply for some people, but others may have to use a little more caution.
As the shoes get taller, our body's ability to recognize the ground under us begins to change. We start to feel the ground less and less. Because of this, our foots relative position vertically changes as well. This can alter our brains ability to accurately pinpoint exactly where our foot is relative to the ground. For those with a well functioning nervous system, they should be able to adjust and use the shoe as it was intended. However, those who have issues with neuropathy, balance, sensation, or just proprioceptive impairments in general may need to exercise extra precaution. The large rocker may be appealing at first, but people who struggle with balance and proprioception may find that they end up shuffling their feet in a shallow way even more. In this way, the shoe that is at 40-45mm stack with a similar rocker profile and more predictable midsole may actually serve them better for both running and walking. The compliant and bouncy nature of the shoe does great when it is loaded dynamically, but there may be extra considerations for some.
RECOMMENDATIONS
David: I found the Nike Vomero Premium to perform quite well in its first iteration. I don't have much to critique in terms of recommendation, but if I am being picky, I think the forefoot width in the upper could be a touch wider. It feels flush with the midfoot and heel (which are already slightly wide), but those needing a lot of width may still have some rubbing. I did not have an issues, and I do think the forefoot volume helps as well. I think the Vomero Premium does a pretty good job of executing its goal.
Andrea: I have enjoyed testing the Nike Vomero Premium and definitely prefer its fit to the Vomero 18 or Vomero Plus due to its slightly increased length and forefoot width. I think the use of rearfoot and forefoot Air Zoom units is quite innovative and provides a unique, bouncy ride that is uniquely suite to midfoot strikers. The bouncy ride makes the shoe feel like it would do well at faster paces, but its high weight holds it back. Hopefully, Nike can find a way to shave an ounce off the shoe and make it a more versatile training shoe.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
David: The Nike Vomero Premium is a maximum cushioned training shoe for those that want the highest and bounciest trainer out there, and don't mind the increase in shoe that comes with it. The shoe looks like a platform shoe that can run. In a lot of ways... it is. The rocker is dialed in well, and the combination of Zoom X and Air Zoom units provide a very compliant and bouncy ride underfoot. The upper is spacious throughout and should serve most peoples needs with longer miles. The shoe does carry some weight with it, and this is something to consider if you are sensitive to heavier shoes. The nature of the materials and stack height also take away some ground feel, so this may place extra considerations to those who have balance and proprioceptive impairments or considerations. For most people though, it is an incredibly plush and bouncy training shoe with a stiff rocker.
Andrea: The Nike Vomero Premium is a maximal trainer that features a unique rearfoot and forefoot Air Zoom unit design. The presence of the forefoot pods make the shoe well suited for midfoot or forefoot strikers, so don't let the 10mm drop fool you. I think the Vomero Premium will be best for runners looking for a highly protective shoe with a bouncy, firmer ride who don't mind the higher weight. For the right person, the shoe's $230 price tag may be worth it, particularly if the Vomero Premium has better durability that other maximal trainers on the market due to its high coverage outsole.
GRADES
David
Fit: A- (Spacious fit with good lockdown, comfortable upper materials, forefoot could be a touch wider but is still good)
Performance: A- (Arguably the most plush and bouncy trainer I have run in, but it is on the heavier side and loses some versatility to running on dirt)
Stability: B+ (They did a very good job with what they were working with, but the softer and bouncier nature does make this neutral. The wide base, good outsole traction, and upper lockdown all help.)
Value: A (If you stay to roads and want the tallest and bounciest trainer this should last you well.)
Personal: B+ (I like the ride and rocker, but I am a little sensitive to the weight over longer efforts in my hips)
Overall Design: A-
Andrea
Fit: A (fits a little wider and longer in the toe box than the Vomero 18 or Plus. Comfortable, secure fit.)
Performance: A- (Great for easy runs on tired legs. The high weight of the shoe limits its use, even though its bouncy ride makes it feel suited to slightly faster paces.)
Stability: [neutral] B+ (Impressively stable for its tall platform and bouncy ride. It does not provide noticeable medial or lateral support, but does a good job of keeping the foot centered through stance phase.)
Value: A (For the right person, the durability and unique ride of the shoe makes it a good value.)
Personal: B+ (Fit is great and I love the feel of the forefoot pods. I wish the shoe was a little lighter so it would feel better at even normal easy paces.)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORNike Vomero PremiumPrice: $229.95 at Running Warehouse
Shop Men | Shop Women
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FURTHER READING
Their premium trainer gets a midsole update.
Puma's daily driver.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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