Nike Vomero Plus vs Brooks Glycerin Max v2
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
| Nike Vomero Plus | Brooks Glycerin Max v2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 43.0 / 33.0 mm | 48.0 / 42.0 mm |
| Drop | 10.0 mm | 6.0 mm |
| Weight (men's 9) | 9.9 oz (281g) | 11.1 oz (315g) |
| Midsole | ZoomX (PEBA) | DNA TUNED (nitrogen-infused EVA, dual-size cells) |
| Plate | none | none |
| Upper | Mono-blended engineered mesh | Triple jacquard air mesh |
| MSRP | $180.00 | $200.00 |
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Nike Vomero Plus
A bouncy, full-length ZoomX max-cushion daily trainer that recaptures the liveliness of the original Invincible while adding stability and durability; versatile enough for easy miles through tempo work, though some find it heavy and prefer firmer alternatives.
Brooks Glycerin Max v2
A max-cushion trainer built for easy miles and recovery, the Glycerin Max 2 delivers consistent protection with a pronounced rocker but feels heavier and less dynamic than its predecessor, leaving some testers questioning its value at $200.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Vomero Plus is cheaper in the UK and feels like a step up on midsole performance
Vomero Plus is more nimble and bouncy; Glycerin Max is more stable, denser and has a better outsole
Nike is lighter, bouncier and more fun; Brooks is firmer, more stable and more rockered but less lively off the toes.
Softer, bouncier, lighter, and smoother rocker than the firmer, more stable Glycerin Max
Vomero Plus beats it hands down on price
Brooks is heavier, firmer, more rockered and more stable but less bouncy and less versatile at faster paces.
Better ride with ZoomX, easier to pick up pace, cooler upper, similar comfort/outsole/stability, and cheaper at £155.
Mentioned as a preferred max-cushion alternative with more bounce
Nike Vomero Plus — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , low energy return , neutral stability .
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Honorable cushion daily trainer mention — the middle member of the Vomero family with a big stack of ZoomX foam offering comfort, bounce and versatility across paces.
In their words: "from easy runs to faster ones" · "big stack of Nike's bouncy Zumx foam"
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#4 long-run shoe — slid down from where the Invincible 3 sat. Less peppy than predecessor, slightly heavier, overly padded tongue/heel.
In their words: "a little less peppy" · "a little heavier overall" · "unnecessary foam padding in the tongue"
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#10. Best Nike shoe of 2025. Plush comfortable upper, reasonable weight and price, widely available. Great for easy recovery efforts and giving legs a break.
In their words: "Easy recovery vibes" · "the better max cushion shoes" · "best Nike shoe that they've released"
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What they hoped the Vomero would be. Effort is showing in Nike's trainers, not just racers.
Ride:Toned-down Vomero Premium in a more manageable package at ~45mm stack. Neutral and decently stable despite all the ZoomX and Air Zoom. Matt's #5. David's #3. Great versatility — can pick up pace when needed. Durability crushed at 100mi — basically no outsole wear.
In their words: "more manageable package" · "magnificent price point" · "nice and still feel plush"
Brooks Glycerin Max v2 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , soft_plush feel , neutral stability .
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A solid max-cushion option but heavier and less fun than the Vomero Plus; Nick also prefers the original Glycerin Max over this update.
Ride:Consistent poppy ride with a firmer, more stable feel than ZoomX; the Glide Roll rocker and lower 6mm drop give a smooth turnover but limited toe-off bounce, and the shoe feels labored at faster paces.
Fit:True to size in UK 9 / US 10; stiff internal heel counter is noticeable but not a problem on the run; comfortable padded upper with a slightly thinner, more breathable forefoot than the Nike.
In their words: "very nice consistent poppy ride" · "more stable than Zumax" · "a bit labored"
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A denser, heavier Glycerin Max that is locked into the easy recovery niche; the reviewer clearly prefers the lighter Nimbus 28 at a similar price.
Ride:Denser foam than v1, still soft and forgiving but not quicksand-like; aggressive outsole with more rubber coverage especially in the heel; ~314g feels bottom-heavy on foot; slightly lower drop than Nimbus
In their words: "a much heavier shoe on foot" · "a much denser foam" · "feels quite bottomheavy"
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A disappointing update that strips the original's dynamic bounce and personality, leaving a forgettable, heavy max-cushion shoe that's hard to justify at $200.
Ride:Very pronounced rocker, but foam feels blocky and lost the squish/bounce dynamism of v1.
Fit:Plush padded upper, slightly narrower forefoot than v1, fits true to size.
In their words: "rocker is the most pronounced characteristic" · "more narrow than the last version" · "doesn't feel that soft or max cushion"
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A meaningful improvement over the original Glycerin Max for runners who prefer a firmer, more structured ride; the sharp forefoot rocker masks the weight and feels great on long runs, though the heel transition may not suit everyone.
Ride:High stack rockered ride with slightly firmer DNA Tuned foam than v1; sharp forefoot rocker creates rhythmic roll, heel feels structured and can be slightly slappy/clunky through the midfoot transition. Outsole grips very well.
Fit:Normal width throughout, plush triple jacquard mesh upper, breathable but may run warm in summer; normal forefoot volume with adequate toe space.
In their words: "max stack training shoe" · "very rockered" · "heel might be a touch clunky"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Nike Vomero Plus if
- High-mileage daily training, easy runs, long runs, and recovery for runners who want max cushion with more energy and bounce than typical comfort-focused shoes — The Run Testers
- A high-stack do-it-all daily shoe for runners who are not racking up the longest long runs. — Ben Parkes
- Everyday runners who want a great long-run shoe at a lower price and don't want the softness of the Superblast 3 or the narrow fit of the Megablast. — FORDY RUNS
- Runners wanting a max-cushioned daily trainer that can also handle long runs with an uptempo finish, and Invincible fans looking for a replacement. — Ben Is Running
- Runners looking for the spiritual successor to the Nike Invincible 1/2 — a fun, plush, do-it-all daily shoe with enough versatility to race in. — Ben Parkes
- Easy days, recovery runs, and lifestyle/walking use — EDDBUD
Consider the Brooks Glycerin Max v2 if
- Runners who want a very stable, natural-feeling max-cushion shoe for racking up easy miles and long runs. — The Run Testers
- Easy/recovery running where weight is not a priority — EDDBUD
- Max cushion easy miles for runners who prioritize rocker over bounce. — Believe in the Run
- Walking and short easy efforts for runners who specifically want a very tall, very cushioned shoe — The Run Testers
- Heavier runners and grueling marathon training blocks needing leg protection — EDDBUD
- Neutral runners wanting a protective max-stack trainer with a pronounced forefoot rocker for longer efforts — Doctors of Running