Nike Vomero 18 Review
Plush comfort, tons of cushioning and a premium feel, the new Nike Vomero 18 has a clear directive to bring you comfortable and easy daily miles.
The Nike Vomero 18 is no longer living in the shadow of the Nike Pegasus. It's stepped into its own lane, leaning all the way into max cushioning with a smooth, plush ride built for recovery runs, easy long sessions, and relaxed miles where comfort takes top billing. One of the team here at Pro:Direct took it out for a long run on tired legs, and let's just say... this one's got legs of its own.
But before we dive into how it runs, let's roll back a bit.
The Nike Vomero Legacy
Back in 2006, the original Zoom Vomero+ carved out a name for itself as Nike's premium daily trainer. Over the years, it's been the one you reach for when you want softness without slop, structure without stiffness, and that little bit of Nike magic underfoot. Versions like the Vomero 5 went cult-status in lifestyle circles, while later models experimented with Flyknit uppers, Air Zoom pods, and varying fits.
With the Vomero 18, Nike has finally locked in what this shoe is really about. It's now the flagship for one thing: maximum cushioning. Think of it as the easy-going sibling in Nike's three-part daily trainer trio Pegasus for responsive pace, Structure for stability, and Vomero for plush, all-day comfort.
Fit and Feel: Premium All Around
Straight out the box, the Vomero 18 has that unmistakable Nike running shoe polish. It looks sharp, especially in the Summit White/Black/Dusty Cactus colourway, but it's what's inside that counts.
The engineered mesh upper feels more dialled in than any recent Vomero model. It's wider through the midfoot than you'd expect from Nike, think Zoom Fly 6 levels of space, but softer. There's a padded heel collar, thick but breathable mesh, and a plush tongue that gives it almost a slipper-like feel. Even for runners with higher-volume feet, this shoe fits true to size and settles nicely once you're moving.
Midsole Tech: ZoomX Meets ReactX
Let's get into the guts of it. The Vomero 18 brings together two of Nike's most advanced foams. ZoomX on top and ReactX beneath. ZoomX is that same Peba-based superfoam from the Vaporfly and Alphafly, giving you a cloud-soft landing with a bit of spring in every step. But to stop things getting too wobbly or unstable at this stack height, Nike added a base of ReactX underneath-more durable, more supportive, and better for the planet with a 43% smaller carbon footprint than standard React.
The result? 46mm in the heel and 36mm in the forefoot. That's the highest stack height in Vomero history and gives you 10mm of drop-perfect for heel strikers or those who want a little help rolling forward. What surprised us most was how this shoe rides. Despite the weight (325g for men, 263g for women), it rolls smooth. Nike's reworked rocker geometry deserves credit here. It's not the aggressive rocker of a plated super shoe, but it glides forward like a much lighter trainer.
You won't mistake this for a tempo shoe. But at cruising pace it delivers exactly what you want: cushion, protection, and a rhythm that makes long runs feel short.
Outsole and Traction: Tacky and Thoughtful
Flip it over and you'll find a podded rubber outsole that's both grippy and strategic. There's just enough segmentation to give the shoe some flex, especially through the forefoot. That's a smart move at this stack height, where some competitors feel stiff and blocky.
Durability-wise, early signs are promising. But yes, the exposed ZoomX in the midfoot will show wear sooner than the surrounding rubber. That's expected and doesn't affect performance.
How It Runs: Easy Does It
So who's this shoe for?
If you're getting back into running and want something forgiving underfoot, the Vomero 18 is built for you. If you're chasing a marathon PB and need a shoe that makes those 30K Sunday runs less brutal, the Vomero 18 is your new secret weapon. If you're an elite using it for doubles or recovery days, the softness and stability combo is spot on.
You're not going to get a big pop off the toe. That's not the point here. But what you do get is a stable, easy ride with subtle energy return and tons of protection. And at £134.99 it's an absolute value play.
Comfort That Keeps You Coming Back
Nike didn't just tweak the Vomero. They gave it a new role and executed it brilliantly. This isn't the shoe you'll use to chase down splits, but it might just be the one that keeps your legs fresh enough to do it the next day.
It's not trying to be flashy. It's trying to be dependable. And that's exactly what a cushioned daily trainer should be.
Nike Vomero 18
- Price: £134.99
- Weight: 325g (Men's), 263g (Women's)
- Stack Height: 46mm heel / 36mm forefoot
- Drop: 10mm
- Best For: Easy miles, long runs, recovery days
- Surface: Road
Want more miles with less muscle soreness? The Vomero 18's got you. And if you're building your rotation, pair it with the Pegasus 41 for quicker sessions or the Structure for more support.
This one's staying in our weekly rotation for a while.
