Nike, like lots of other gear brands, has been putting Realtree’s camo on its outdoor-focused clothing and footwear in some capacity since 2011. But this year, the brand did something rather unprecedented when it put the photorealistic print on the Air Force 1 Low. This time around, it wasn’t a hiking jacket or boot but a classic streetwear staple that was now blurring the line between urban and trail milieus.
Now, Nike has done something even more outrageous by giving its top-of-the-line running shoe a dose of black camo.
The Tall Stack Gets Tactical
The Vomero Premium already sits as Nike’s most maximalist road runner, built specifically for recovery days and high-mileage training. With its towering 55mm stack height at the heel, it’s the tallest shoe Nike’s ever made for the road — so tall, in fact, that it exceeds World Athletics competition limits. But that’s beside the point. This isn’t a racing shoe, and wrapping its midsole in Realtree Edge makes it arguably even more unorthodox.
The black mesh upper keeps things stealthy with tonal overlays and a ghosted “AIR” graphic running along the side. Then there’s the midsole, where Realtree’s photorealistic pattern wraps around that massive platform, bringing some visual texture to what would otherwise be a monolithic slab of cushioning. It’s an unexpected pairing that actually works, somehow toning down the shoe’s inherent bulk while nodding to the outdoors.
Realtree’s Unexpected Journey
Since Bill Jordan founded Realtree back in 1986 in Columbus, Georgia, the brand’s photorealistic patterns have been synonymous with hunting gear. Jordan’s goal was to create camo that actually worked by mimicking the three-dimensional layers of oak trees and natural foliage. What started in the back of his father’s boat dealership became the world’s leading camouflage brand, with over 1,500 licensees today.
But somewhere along the way, Realtree transcended its hunting roots. The patterns started showing up on everything from Wrangler jeans to Carhartt sweatshirts merch, and vintage Realtree gear became a streetwear staple. Nike’s Vomero Premium is one of the more unusual, turning a technical shoe into a lifestyle piece.
Built for Volume, Not Speed
Underneath all that camo sits the same tech that makes the standard Vomero Premium such a fantastic recovery shoe. The midsole combines a thick layer of ZoomX foam with exposed Air Zoom units in both the heel and forefoot, designed to compress and rebound freely for maximum shock absorption. It’s constructed to save your joints from getting beaten up, which is particularly useful for heavier runners or anyone logging lots of miles.
The upper matches the plush midsole with soft padding throughout and a secure lacing system that keeps your foot stable atop all that foam. Reflective details on the toe and Swoosh give you visibility for early morning or evening runs.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nike Vomero Premium “Black Realtree”
Upper: Black mesh with tonal overlays, ghosted “AIR” graphic
Midsole: ZoomX foam with exposed Dual Air Zoom units
Outsole: Realtree Edge camo pattern wrap
Stack Height: 55mm (heel), 45mm (forefoot)
Colorway: Black/Dark Smoke Grey-Anthracite-Metallic Dark Grey
Price: $230
Pricing & Availability
The Nike Vomero Premium “Black Realtree” is expected to drop during the holiday season for $230, matching the price of other Vomero Premium colorways. Check Nike’s website for exact release details as they become available.
Recap
Nike Vomero Premium Black Realtree
Nike just wrapped its maxed-out Vomero Premium running shoe — the tallest, plushest trainer in its lineup — in Realtree’s black camo pattern, turning what’s already a recovery-day workhorse into an unexpected lifestyle piece.
