If Nike’s Pegasus was born to be the everyman’s runner, their Vomero, which came nearly 20 years later, was designed to serve as the “Cadillac of running shoes.” And while delineating between the different specialized models on the market might give you a headache, the athletic brand has just found a way to make things a bit more straightforward, debuting two new versions of the Vomero with clear-cut differences — oh and by the way, one of them has an insane 55mm stack height.
The Vomero Legacy Gets an Upgrade
Since designer Aaron Cooper introduced the original Vomero in 2006 with his vision of creating “the most luxurious and comfortable running shoe in the industry” (something he compared to the BMW 7 Series), the line has consistently pushed the boundaries of plush cushioning. The Vomero 5, released in 2011, became a cult favorite for its dual Zoom Air setup, and now Nike’s taking that comfort-first philosophy even further, to say the least.
These two new additions represent the brand’s attempt to simplify their bewildering road running lineup into three clear categories: Structure for stability, Pegasus for responsiveness, and Vomero for maximum cushioning. Each category now offers Icon, Plus, and Premium tiers, which actually does make choosing your next shoe a whole lot easier.
ZoomX Goes Full-Length
First, let’s talk about the Vomero Plus, which is essentially what happens when Nike takes everything they learned from the Invincible 3 and applies it to their cushioning flagship. The full-length ZoomX midsole sits at a respectable 45mm stack height — still substantial but not breaking any laws of physics. This is the same ultralight foam that powers their racing shoes, delivering roughly 85% energy return according to Nike’s testing, which is superb in its own right.
Standing out here is the combination of the ZoomX base with an increased rocker geometry and a wider platform. What you get is something that should feel bouncy, but without the instability that often plagues max-cushion shoes. The upper gets the soft, stretchy engineered mesh treatment with enhanced collar and tongue padding for full comfort all around.
Anti-Gravity Ambitions
Then there’s the Premium, and this is where things get pretty wild. That 55mm heel stack makes it the tallest road running shoe in Nike’s entire lineup, and taller than Hoka’s previous Stack Height King, the Skyward X at 48mm. Nike’s inspiration came from anti-gravity treadmills used by elite athletes, and they’re basically trying to recreate that low-impact sensation on regular pavement.
The key innovation lies in the exposed Air Zoom units at both the heel and forefoot. Rather than burying them in foam like before, Nike gave these pods room to expand and contract, theoretically maximizing their energy return potential. Combined with the ZoomX midsole, you’re looking at a technological sandwich that’s both a racing accessory and a recovery shoe.
More Than Just a Cloud for Your Feet
As Nike bets that runners want mega-cushioned options for their feet, the construction quality appears solid throughout both models. High-abrasion rubber outsoles should handle the extra wear that comes with heavier shoes, and the thoughtful midsole geometries suggest Nike’s engineers have aimed to mitigate any stability issues that are inherent in large stack heights.
Whether these actually deliver on their recovery promises remains to be seen, but the technology foundation is sound. ZoomX has proven itself in racing applications, and Nike’s Air Zoom units have literal decades of refinement behind them.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nike Vomero Plus
Midsole: Full-length ZoomX foam
Stack Height: 45mm (heel)
Upper: Soft engineered mesh with enhanced collar/tongue padding
Outsole: High-abrasion rubber
Key Features: Increased rocker geometry, wide platform, ~85% energy return
Price: $170
Release Date: August 7
Model: Nike Vomero Premium
Midsole: ZoomX foam with exposed Air Zoom units (heel & forefoot)
Stack Height: 55mm (heel)
Upper: Premium construction (materials TBD)
Outsole: High-abrasion rubber
Key Features: Anti-gravity treadmill inspiration, maximum impact reduction, ~85% energy return
Price: $220
Release Date: October 2
Pricing & Availability
The Vomero Plus launches first on August 7 at $170 through Nike.com and select retail partners, while the Premium follows in October, starting at select retailers on October 2 for $220.
Recap
Nike Vomero Premium & Vomero Plus Running Shoes
Nike aims to simplify its running shoe lineup with the Vomero Premium and Plus models, the former of which features a whopping 55mm stack height, which might just be the largest on the market.
