The Nike Vomero 18 is a no-nonsense trainer that combines a modern high-stack build with dependable cushioning, making it a trusted, protective workhorse for daily training. A taller stack of dual-density foam places a lively layer of ZoomX directly underfoot, supported by ReactX foam for added stability and durability, giving the shoe an even plusher, more protective ride than its predecessor, the Nike Vomero 17. The 10 mm drop, broad heel platform, and reliable rubber outsole make it a dependable, inherently stable option for daily outings. A generously padded upper delivers step-in comfort, though the extra cushioning, padding, and rubber do add noticeable weight that limits its suitability for faster efforts. Overall, the Vomero 18 caters to athletes seeking durable cushioning, smooth rockered transitions, and "set-and-forget" comfort for their shorter daily runs.
Our Verdict
The Nike Vomero 18 isn't built for chasing PRs over 42 km. Its high stack, generous foam, and stable feel are appreciated for comfort, but the bulk and modest spring underfoot mean you'll expend more effort holding race pace than in lighter, livelier marathon shoes. Think of it as a reliable cruiser that gets you to the finish line in comfort rather than a performance weapon.
Dual-density midsole offers good underfoot protection.
Good stability.
The forefoot tends to bottom out after a while.
Dull ride, despite the ZoomX namesake.
Heavy and bulky.
The Nike Vomero 18 is more of a friendly training partner than a high-performance option. A firm forefoot helps you push off crisply, yet the extra ounces and subdued rebound keep the shoe from feeling truly snappy when the watch says go. It's fine for the occasional fun run, but dedicated speedsters will definitely want something lighter and more propulsive.
Dual-density midsole offers good underfoot protection.
Dull ride, despite the ZoomX namesake.
Heavy and bulky.
The Nike Vomero 18 trades raw spring for plush security. Up top sits a denser trainer-grade ZoomX that lacks the explosive feel of the super shoe formulation, while the supporting layer of ReactX adds durability but further mutes rebound. Both foams feel a bit lively during short shakes, yet their pop fades as soon as the miles stack up, leaving the ride flat for extended efforts.
Dual-density midsole offers good underfoot protection.
The forefoot tends to bottom out after a while.
Dull ride, despite the ZoomX namesake.
The Nike Vomero 18 has good cushioning, especially in the heel. A thick ZoomX top layer softens impact while the broad ReactX carrier absorbs road chatter. If day-to-day comfort and protection top your priority list, this is where the shoe truly shines.
High heel-stack.
Dual-density midsole offers good underfoot protection.
The forefoot tends to bottom out after a while.
The Nike Vomero 18 feels reassuringly stable thanks to its wide base, gusseted tongue, and firm forefoot foam. The large platform resists unwanted wobble really well, helping you stay confident during your daily miles. This inherent stability lets heavier runners or those with mild form breakdown keep moving smoothly without resorting to a formal stability shoe.
Dual-density midsole offers good underfoot protection.
Super wide base.
Firm at the forefoot.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Oct 28, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our changelog.
- Updated Oct 20, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.2, which updates our methodology for the impact force range used in our compression tests to improve their accuracy. This also affects all usage and performance usage boxes using those compression tests as score components.
-
Updated Sep 17, 2025:
We updated the Popular Running Shoe Comparisons box to ensure it remains both concise and relevant.
-
Updated Sep 09, 2025:
We've updated the Popular Running Shoe Comparisons section with the latest release in the Nike Structure series.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Nike Vomero 18 in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label of our unit, in the White/Electric Green/Volt/Black colorway. This model is offered in a full range of men's and women's sizes, but no wide-fit versions are available. Other colorways include Summit White/Dusty Cactus/Geode Teal/Black, Black/Coconut Milk/Light Iron Ore/Summit White, Black/Dark Smoke Grey/Light Smoke Grey/Black, Barely Green/Hyper Crimson/Barely Volt/Metallic Silver, and Platinum Tint/Siren Red/Light Smoke Grey/Metallic Pewter, though availability may vary by region.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The Nike Vomero 18 is a no-fuss modern trainer built for comfort, protection, and durability over short, easy miles. While it shares its ZoomX top layer with Nike's faster models, it's tuned for a very different purpose: not performance, but cushioning and reliability. Unlike fun, bouncy shoes like the Nike Invincible 3, this one doesn't return much energy through its midsole, though it still provides a smooth, rockered transition and deep underfoot protection. It's also heavier than most of its peers but makes up for it with a stable platform and a luxuriously padded upper, making it a solid option for runners seeking comfort. For even more cushioning and a higher stack height in a lighter package, consider the Mizuno Neo Zen; just don't expect the same step-in comfort feel you get from the Vomero in the Mizuno's mesh upper. Meanwhile, the PUMA Magnify NITRO 3 and the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are lighter, more energetic daily trainers.
Within Nike's broader daily trainer ecosystem, the Vomero anchors the cushioned category, focusing on protection and softness. It sits alongside two other lines: the Structure series, prioritizing stability, and the Pegasus series, the legacy lineup. All three series will follow a tiered model structure moving forward: a standard version (where the Nike Vomero 18 sits), a Plus version featuring a full-length ZoomX midsole (like the Nike Vomero Plus), and a Premium version built around a larger, wraparound Air Zoom unit (like the Nike Vomero Premium). The Vomero 18 is a protective option in Nike's lineup, ideal for short recovery miles or high-mileage athletes who want a plush yet durable trainer. If you're looking for more shoes, look at our recommendations for the best Nike running shoes.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best running shoes for men and the best running shoes for women.
The Nike Vomero 18 and the Nike Vomero Plus are sister shoes in Nike's lineup that share a similar geometry. The two trainers have very similar uppers but start to diverge in the midsole. The Vomero 18 has a layer of softer, bouncier ZoomX foam on top of a layer of denser, more stable ReactX foam, resulting in a stable, balanced ride. The Vomero Plus, meanwhile, has a full ZoomX midsole, meaning that it's all bounce, with no stiffer foam to stabilise the ride.
The Nike Vomero 18 and the Nike Pegasus 41 are both daily trainers, but they serve different roles in Nike's lineup. The Vomero 18 is the more cushioned and protective option, featuring a taller stack and dual-density midsole that does a better job shielding your legs on short, easy runs—which is exactly what most people need from a daily trainer. While the Pegasus 41 does offer a bit more energy return, that added bounce is less relevant in practice for this category of shoe—you're not likely to pick either of these for speed work or intervals. In the end, the Vomero may be heavier, but it delivers better on the core promise of a daily trainer: comfort, protection, and durability.
Both the Nike Pegasus Premium and the Nike Vomero 18 sit in Nike's cushioned trainer lineup, but differ in their feel and intent. The Vomero 18 is a no-nonsense workhorse built for consistent comfort, offering a firmer ride that feels more traditional underfoot. The Pegasus Premium introduces a taller stack of ZoomX foam with a Zoom Air pod, creating a softer ride at light loads and a firmer ride as pressure increases. It's best suited for easy runs. Runners valuing stability and a classic ride will prefer the Vomero 18, while those who want a more plush impact absorption for short mileage will find the Pegasus Premium more rewarding.
The Nike Invincible 3 and the Nike Vomero 18 are both daily trainers designed for comfort, but they offer different takes on that goal. The Invincible 3 feels noticeably bouncier, thanks to its full ZoomX midsole, giving it a lively, fun ride that some runners love for easy miles. The Vomero 18, on the other hand, feels more protective, with a higher overall stack and a firmer, more structured dual-foam setup that emphasizes stability and underfoot protection. The Nike's upper is also much more substantial. Both shoes are on the heavier side, and both can tend to bottom out and feel harsher for longer efforts.
We've recently started buying and testing running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The Nike Vomero 18 tips the scale well above its predecessor, giving it a noticeably heftier feel than most daily trainers. That extra mass isn't a deal-breaker for relaxed mileage, but it does make the shoe feel a touch sluggish when the pace quickens.
As one of the most notable changes from its predecessor, the Nike Vomero 17, the Nike Vomero 18 gains a substantial amount of stack compared with the previous Vomero 17's, pushing it firmly towards max-cushion territory. Nike's goal with this new geometry is greater protection from the ground without abandoning the signature 10 mm drop. In practice, the extra foam makes the heel noticeably more absorbent, but it also contributes to the shoe's added weight and keeps the forefoot feeling relatively thin.
The Nike Vomero 18 provides muted heel energy return. Upon each landing, the foam gives back little pop, so you'll need to supply most of the propulsion yourself. It returns less energy than its predecessor, the Nike Vomero 17.
The Nike Vomero 18 is similarly restrained in the forefoot, offering only minimal rebound during toe-off. The ride stays steady rather than springy, making the shoe better suited to easy efforts than to speed work.
The Nike Vomero 18 delivers very good heel cushioning. The high stack of ZoomX/ReactX soaks up impacts really well, keeping things comfortable even for heel-strikers, especially for shorter, easier miles. With this iteration, Nike doubles down on the Vomero's line role as their most cushioned daily trainers, prioritizing underfoot protection, even if it comes at the cost of added weight.
The Nike Vomero 18 offers decent forefoot cushioning that protects well during daily mileage, though it isn't quite as plush as the heel. The padding up front is sufficient for short training days, but those who crave a marshmallow-like forefoot may find it a bit more grounded. Because Nike kept the traditional 10 mm drop, there's relatively little foam under the forefoot, so it compresses quickly under higher forces and can feel bottomed-out as the miles pile up.
This model has quite a soft heel, delivering a forgiving, comfort-first landing for heel-strikers. It's not as soft as other modern trainers like the Mizuno Neo Zen, but it's definitely not a very firm shoe either.
The Nike Vomero 18 keeps a very firm forefoot, noticeably stiffer than most max-cushion contenders like the HOKA Skyward X, which is a bit puzzling if Nike aims to play in that ultra-plush space. The foam can become quite harsh late in a run, yet this update is still a move toward more softness versus the previous Nike Vomero 17. It preserves the classic Vomero character that appeals to runners who enjoy a touch of forefoot rigidity or prefer foam that holds its shape over the miles, while still being a step in the right direction.