Nick's favorite of the two — a livelier, more exciting ZoomX-powered max-cushion daily trainer worth paying up for if you value fun on the run, though it's the pricier and heavier option. — The Run Testers
The reviewer's shoe of 2025 and possibly of the last two to three years — an S-tier shoe he considers so good it deserves a hypothetical S+ rating.
A standout max-cushion recovery trainer that the reviewer would lace up over the Vomero 18 — soft, bouncy, durable, and a contender for best max-cushion shoe of the year.
Best for: Easy days, recovery runs, and long runs at conversational pace.
One of Ben's top three picks — a cushioned, poppy daily trainer he would use for easy runs, described as more lively underfoot than the Novablast.
Best for: Easy runs and long runs for runners wanting a cushioned, poppy ride
His favorite super trainer in the lineup and the shoe he runs the most in: a ZoomX-loaded high-stack trainer with a smooth, stable, bouncy ride that's versatile from easy to marathon pace.
Best for: Everything from easy to marathon pace, especially long runs; less suited to fast track intervals
Ben Parkes calls the Vomero Plus the most enjoyable Nike daily trainer since the Invincible — a protective, bouncy ZoomX max-cushion shoe that eats up easy miles and still lets you pick up the pace on long runs.
Best for: 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 Parkes' top Nike pick; a comfortable, smooth max-stack daily shoe with great shock absorption and grip, praised for looking after legs on long runs, though slightly heavy and needs care in corners due to a high-soft-foam combination.
Best for: Long runs and marathon-pace blocks, and a good option for heavier runners.
A solid high-stack daily option that is firmer and more reactive than the MagMax 2, with better stability from its full outsole but a less plush long-run feel.
Best for: A high-stack do-it-all daily shoe for runners who are not racking up the longest long runs.
Nike are back with an easy-to-recommend max-stack daily that delivers Invincible 1/2-style fun with better heel lockdown and stability, though the 45mm stack is arguably more than needed.
Best for: 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.
The Vomero Plus is a lofty ZoomX daily trainer that feels sure-footed despite its height, offering strong value at $180 versus other max-cushion options — David's #4 all-time pick for easy, high-mileage days.
What they hoped the Vomero would be. Effort is showing in Nike's trainers, not just racers.
A polarizing but highly durable, bouncy high-drop daily trainer that delivers what many hoped the Vomero 18 would be. Great for neutral runners who want a plush, chunky ZoomX long-run and daily option, but wrong for anyone wanting a wide toe box, low drop, or stability.
Best for: Neutral runners who want a high-drop, chunky-heeled, bouncy daily trainer for easy miles, long runs, and some uptempo work — especially those offloading the Achilles or wanting an alternative to super shoes.
EDDBUD says the Vomero Plus SE offers a huge amount of cushion, carrying over heavily from the discontinued Nike Invincible Run, and is great value at the discounted price.
Praised as Nike's best current daily trainer, offering ample cushioning for recovery and long runs alike, with standout outsole durability, in a budget-friendly SE colourway.
Best for: Daily training, recovery runs, and long runs for Nike loyalists wanting a durable, well-cushioned trainer at a good price (an SE colourway found around £100).
EDDBUD views the Vomero Plus as a lighter alternative to the Vomero 18 but is critical of the extreme drop feel and notes the ZoomX is not the same performance material as in the race shoes.
#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.
Comfortable plush lifestyle and easy-day option but ~2.7 oz heavier than the Megablast and significantly behind it as a running shoe.
Best for: Easy days, recovery runs, and lifestyle/walking use
Durable, padded easy-day shoe but feels dated versus newer max-cushion rivals.
A soft, maximally cushioned daily option that feels clunky and not built for fast running; reviewer currently prefers the Nimbus 28 over it.
Best for: Soft, cushioned easy miles; aggressive pricing makes it attractive at sale prices
A plush, bouncy cruiser that excels at easy and recovery paces but is too bulky for fast running and has subpar outsole durability.
Best for: Plush cruiser for easy and recovery miles, on-feet-all-day use, and heavier runners needing impact protection
Fordy's clear favourite long run shoe, powered by ZoomX foam; he used it heavily through a prior marathon block and it's the obvious, default pick again for this training cycle.
FORDY RUNS' stated favourite shoe and Nike pick; despite upcoming versions he cannot keep it off the list as his overall favourite.
One of the best Nike running shoes in years — full-length ZoomX, wide toe box, stable smooth ride and a strong price make it a credible cheaper alternative to the ASICS Superblast 2.
Best for: Daily training and long runs, especially as a cheaper Superblast 2 alternative for runners wanting a max-cushion ZoomX trainer
Currently the best long-run shoe the reviewer thinks you can buy for the money at £110 — a very strong value alternative to the ASICS Blast range, and a good middle ground for those who want a less soft ride than the Superblast 3.
Best for: 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.
The pick of the bunch based on price — phenomenal full-length ZoomX, excellent fit, works across weather conditions and long runs, ideal for marathon/half training.
Kofuzi likes the Vomero Plus's peppier, comfortable midsole and thinks it could work as a speedy long-run or marathon shoe for bigger/taller runners, but at 10 oz he personally finds it too heavy for anything beyond easy everyday runs.
Best for: Bigger/taller runners wanting a peppy, comfortable speedy-long-run or marathon shoe; Kofuzi personally finds it too heavy for anything but comfy everyday runs.
#4 long-run shoe — slid down from where the Invincible 3 sat. Less peppy than predecessor, slightly heavier, overly padded tongue/heel.
The reviewer's preferred max-cushion shoe overall thanks to its exceptionally bouncy ZoomX midsole, edging out the Clifton Pro despite being pricier and heavier.
Best for: Runners wanting maximum bounce and comfort on easy and long runs; not intended for faster workouts.
The reviewer's preferred cushioned daily trainer for a rotation alongside dedicated workout shoes, prized for its exceptionally bouncy, never-bottoms-out ZoomX ride at easy and steady paces.
Best for: Runners wanting a maximally cushioned, bouncy daily trainer for easy and steady miles, paired with separate shoes for workouts.
Seen as a cushion shoe that still manages to feel zingy and bouncy.
Best for: Cushioned easy-day running with a livelier ride
The Vomero Plus is dropped from the group stage partly because only one of the reviewers had tested it, limiting their ability to evaluate it fairly.
Nick's favorite max-cushion shoe and the standard others should aim for, delivering a fun, energetic, bouncy ride without sacrificing stability.
Best for: Runners wanting a fun, bouncy max-cushion shoe for easy and long daily training runs
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.
Nick's go-to long-run shoe and one of the first max-cushion shoes he's truly loved — ticks every box for marathon training miles.
Best for: Most-comfortable marathon pick for runners wanting cushion plus rebound at a more normal price than the Premium.
Best for: Top cushioned shoe of 2025 for Nick — fun and lively daily mileage.
A strong addition to the max-cushion category that brings back the lively, bouncy feel of the early Nike Invincible while being more stable; a versatile mileage-eater that the reviewer thinks is a step up on midsole performance versus rivals.
Best for: 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
Nick's favorite of the two — a livelier, more exciting ZoomX-powered max-cushion daily trainer worth paying up for if you value fun on the run, though it's the pricier and heavier option.
Best for: Easy and long runs for neutral runners who want a soft, bouncy, fun max-cushion daily trainer that can also handle some tempo work.
Nick's favorite cushion shoe on the market thanks to its exceptionally bouncy ZoomX ride that feels lively at both easy and faster paces.
Best for: Versatile max-cushion daily trainer for easy runs, long runs, and even first races
Nick's favorite max-cushion shoe overall — more fun, bouncier and more versatile than the Glycerin Max 2, and cheaper too.
Best for: Easy and long runs for neutral runners who want a max-cushion shoe that still feels lively and responsive.
A plush, bouncy max-cushion easy-day shoe with strong outsole coverage and durability; more supportive but less versatile than the RAD UFO.
Best for: Easy and long runs in a rotation; cushion-shoe slot.
Nick's favorite easy/long run shoe on the market; bouncier and more fun than the 1080 V15 without sacrificing versatility.
Best for: Easy runs, long runs, and daily training; top pick for cushioned daily trainer
The preferred pick of the two: lighter, bouncier, more versatile, and cheaper, making it a strong one-shoe-does-everything max-cushion trainer.
Best for: Easy, long, and daily training runs with enough versatility to stretch into tempo work.
Reviewers note: True to size with good toe room and secure heel/midfoot hold; thick padding on tongue and heel, may run slightly warm in hot conditions.
Per The Run Testers.
The Nike Vomero Plus weighs about 281g (men's 9), has a 43.0mm heel stack and a 10.0mm heel-toe drop.
Reviewers compare the Nike Vomero Plus to ASICS Novablast 5, Puma MagMax Nitro 2, ASICS Superblast 3, ASICS Superblast 2.
Per The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS, Ben Parkes, EDDBUD, Believe in the Run, Kofuzi, Ben Is Running, Doctors of Running.
Next Pair aggregates 45 expert reviews of the Nike Vomero Plus, including The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS, Doctors of Running.
Per The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS, Doctors of Running.
Compared to other road easy recovery in the same lane.
