Nike Vomero Premium Review

When Nike started teasing the Nike Vomero Premium, it was clear this was not a normal daily trainer. A fifty plus millimeter stack, multiple Zoom Air units, ZoomX foam, and a high price tag made it hard to understand exactly what this shoe was supposed to be. This is Nike’s most cushioned road running shoe yet, made for runners who want to feel like they are running on a trampoline instead of asphalt.

The question is not “is it soft?” The question is “who actually needs this much shoe?”

Before trying the Nike Vomero Premium, I had a few questions.

Is the Nike Vomero Premium good for marathon training?

It can be a useful option for easy and recovery runs during marathon training, especially if your legs feel beat up from high mileage. For tempo runs, long race pace efforts, or the marathon itself, most runners will want something lighter and more stable.

How does the Nike Vomero Premium fit?

The Vomero Premium fits true to size with a typical Nike shape: normal to slightly narrow through the midfoot, with plenty of padding around the collar and tongue.

Is the Nike Vomero Premium worth the price?

If you already have a lighter trainer or super shoe and you want a dedicated max cushion recovery option, the price makes more sense. If you only want one shoe or need something versatile, there are better values in the max cushion category.

Nike Vomero Premium vs Nike Vomero Plus: which should I buy?

The Vomero Premium is taller, softer, and more plush, with ZoomX plus dual Air units and a more dramatic rocker. The Vomero Plus sits lower, has a full ZoomX midsole, feels a bit more stable, and is lighter and slightly cheaper. If you want maximum softness, go Premium.

Who is the Nike Vomero Premium best for?

It is best for neutral runners who crave softness, run a lot of easy miles, and like having a treat your legs shoe in the rotation. Think high mileage runners, masters runners wanting more joint protection, or anyone who simply wants the softest possible ride for recovery days.

If you treat the Nike Vomero Premium as a very specific tool instead of your only shoe, it makes a lot more sense. It is not subtle and it is not light, but it delivers on its promise of maximum cushioning.

Now let’s get into an honest Nike Vomero Premium review.

Nike Vomero Premium Quick Facts

Category: Neutral max cushioned daily trainer
Weight: 10 oz 
Drop: 10 mm
Best for: Easy runs, recovery days, and short to medium steady miles when you want more protection
Price: $230

Nike Vomero Premium Upper and Fit

The Nike Vomero Premium upper is plush in every sense of the word. There is a lot of padding through the heel collar, tongue, and ankle. It feels more like a cushioned lifestyle shoe than a daily trainer.

Fit is true to size, but this is still a Nike, so expect a slightly narrower feel through the midfoot. There is more interior volume than the Vomero Plus, but it still will not be the best choice for very wide feet.

The tradeoff with all that padding is heat. That much foam around your foot holds onto sweat. If I tried this shoe in the Mojave Desert summer, I would not be a fan. It would be too hot and sweating would likely cause blisters. If you live somewhere mild or use it mainly for cooler mornings, you will be grateful for the comfort. If you are in desert heat or summer humidity, this is not going to be your most breathable option.

As far as fit, the best running shoe uppers disappear on your feet and I have not had any issues with the Nike Vomero Premium. Many people believe Nike is narrow, and while it does have a more narrow midfoot, the overall length is true to size. I wear between a women’s size 10 to 11 wide and the size 11 fits well.

Nike Vomero Premium Ride

This midsole is where the magic happens, and there is no denying how much foam the Nike Vomero Premium has. Nike stacked ZoomX foam extremely high and then added exposed Zoom Air units into the heel and forefoot. The result is an ultra soft, trampoline like feel that still has some pop because the Air units stiffen the midsole enough to create a rocker effect.

With roughly 54 to 55 mm of foam in the heel, this is taller than most max cushion trainers from other brands and taller than the Vomero Plus. That height is why people compare it to running on a moon boot. Every step feels protected. This is not a race shoe, and technically it is illegal to race in because the stack height exceeds racing limits but if you are looking for one of the most cushioned options, the Nike Vomero Premium is a great choice.

The downside is the Nike Vomero Premium weight and stability. Even with bouncy ZoomX, a midsole this tall and wide will feel heavy. Women’s sizes hover around 9.8 to 10 ounces and men’s around 11.5 to above 12 ounces. You need to pick up your feet for it not to feel clunky.

Outsole and Durability

For a shoe this expensive, you want durability, and Nike clearly designed the outsole with that in mind. The Vomero Premium uses plenty of rubber coverage and a waffle like pattern that grips well on wet roads and basic bike paths.

The benefit of so much foam is that you have a lot of material to compress before it feels dead. Max cushion trainers in this category usually last a long time for easy mileage. It is not a fragile race day super shoe. It is more like a big, bouncy tank. I have already put fifty miles on it with no signs of slowing down. I expect it to last around four hundred miles.

Where does the Nike Vomero Premium fit into my rotation?

The Nike Vomero Premium is made for easy runs. The huge stack and soft ZoomX plus Air combination turn short and medium easy runs into something that feels closer to floating than pounding. I have tried it for longer efforts as well. It can work for long runs, but it begins to feel heavy and clunky, and picking up your feet at the end becomes a chore. It is too much shoe for workouts.

Nike Vomero Premium Conclusion

The Nike Vomero Premium makes a strong case for why max cushion shoes still have a place in a crowded running market. It does not try to be everything, and honestly, that is what makes it good at the job it was designed for. When you lace it up, you know exactly what kind of run you are getting. It is soft, tall, and forgiving, and it gives your legs a break when nothing else feels good.

It is not a shoe you pick because you want speed. It is a shoe you pick because your body needs a mental and physical reset. The trampoline feel is dramatic, and while it will not appeal to everyone, runners who love cushion will enjoy how protected the ride feels.

For me, the Vomero Premium works best when I want to run but also want my legs to stay calm the next day. It is not breathable enough for harsh heat, and it is not versatile enough to be your only shoe, but it shines in its specific lane. If you want a dedicated recovery day option and enjoy soft, towering foam, the Nike Vomero Premium is a great choice.

Who Should Buy the Nike Vomero Premium

• You want maximum cushioning.
• You run a lot of easy miles and want your legs to feel fresher the next day.

Who Should Skip the Nike Vomero Premium

• You need stability or already struggle with softer, higher stack shoes.
• You want one shoe that can handle workouts, races, and easy miles.
• You live in a hot climate and know you overheat easily in plush uppers.
• You do not want to spend a premium price for a shoe.

My Current Shoe Rotation:

Easy/Daily Runs: Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2

Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review

Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura,  Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3 

Races/Speedwork: Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Streakfly 2, Nike Vaporfly 4

Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.

You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.

Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.

Questions for you:

Have you tried the Nike Vomero Premium?

What is your favorite running shoe?