When Nike re-arranged their daily shoe line up into the three silos, one shoe was left homeless. We had the Structure, Pegasus and Vomero lines covered. However, the Invincible was no more. Nike’s ZoomX powered crowd pleaser vanished. Thankfully, for fans of thick soles and big bounce, we have the Vomero Plus.
A monster midsole with the familiar ZoomX tattoo, is it just a re-badged Invincible or is there still a large hole in Nike’s line up? We put it to the test to find out.
Upper and Fit of the Nike Vomero Plus
What works for me
As ever with Nike shoes, the fit is excellent for me. True to size and packed with plush comfort. It certainly fits the Invincible mould. In fact, the fit on the Vomero Plus outshines the fit on the previous version of the Invincible which left something to be desired. With that iteration, there was some sloppiness in the heel area and around the ankle collar. Overall, it was a real let down.
In the Vomero Plus, we find a large amount of foam around the stout heel collar which really holds things down. Where the Invincible 3 gaped and creased around the ankle area, the Vomero Plus holds firm and keeps the lockdown secure. The lockdown and feelings of security are helped by the midsole walls which extend up and around the heel.
Continuing the theme of plushness and plenty, we reach the tongue. I have had thinner duvets in my time. There is about a centimetre thickness of soft tongue to protect your metatarsals from the bite of the laces. While there is no gusset, I have experienced no slippage from the tongue on my runs. The laces themselves are effective but basic. While they don’t offer any elasticity or give, they also remain tight and secure.
Moving to the toe-box, we find a thin mesh on top of the foot with some reinforcements around the sides. I have found that there is room for the toes to move and breath while not feeling too sloppy. The outsole rubber extends up to the toes at the end of the toecap to protect the piggies from rocks and roots.
Breathability has also proven to be no issue on my summer runs. There has been no swampiness to be found even on the muggiest of days. All in all, it is the kind of upper you would expect from a maximalist daily trainer. If light and thin is your bag, stay away from this. On the other hand, if pure comfort is your bag, dive right in!
What doesn’t work for me
It’s a good upper which, for me, works really well. The only negative I have found so far is that I seem to have caught the lateral side of the right shoe on a bramble or sharp rock. This has led to a little nick appearing in the mesh. Thankfully, it hasn’t spread any larger but it is a worry on a pair of relatively expensive shoes.
The plushness also works against it when the weather gets wet. I have been out in a few Noah and the Ark level rainfalls recently. Thanks, British summer! These do put the Vomero Plus out of action for a couple of days. All that super comfy foam and padding does a great job of soaking up the water and holding it as firm as it does your foot. Definitely one for those who live in drier climates.
Midsole and Ride of the Nike Vomero Plus
What works for me
This is the key part of a maximalist cruiser. Does the midsole live up to the expectations of the Invincible? When that was released, I, and many others, fell in love with the ride. Nike’s ZoomX which was, until then, for racing only was transformed into a mighty midsole mattress for every day running. It became a fantastic shoe for bouncing along at easy paces but it was also a very capable midsole if you wanted to run your easy runs far too fast.
The ZoomX of the Vomero Plus comes with the tagline, “Tuned for maximum cushioning” and it is certainly a different feel to that found in the Fly line. In fact, I was a little disappointed when I took the Vomero Plus out for its maiden voyage. I was expecting the same instant excitement. What I found was a much tamer beast. The foam felt more stable which is helped by the width of the platform and also the way it extends above the midsole to cradle the foot.
Furthermore, it is very much a different recipe and feel to other ZoomX shoes. At first, it felt lacking. I missed the wildness of the older Invincibles. That said, it was not a dull or dreary shoe. Just a different feel.
By now, I have around 160km in the Vomero Plus. The more I run in it the better it feels. There was definitely a breaking in of the ZoomX compound around the 70-80km mark. While it is still not as poppy as the OG Invincibles, it is certainly capable of some variety of running. I have used it for 6:00/km recovery plods up to a 12km progression run which culminated around my 10k pace. For all of this, it felt excellent. Most of all, it kept my legs feeling good afterwards.
From my tentative first steps which made me feel like I had wasted my money, the Vomero Plus has become one of my favourite shoes of the year so far. I keep pulling it from the shelf when I want to go out. Despite the weight and like its ancestors, it is a shoe which reads heavy on the scale but runs a lot lighter on foot.
What doesn’t work for me
As mentioned above, the initial feel of the Vomero Plus did not fill me with hope and joy. I was worried that it was a clunky, heavy plodder which would besmirch the fond memories I had of the Invincible franchise. Thankfully, that initial ennui dissipated as the miles built up and the foam loosened.
That said, the Vomero Plus is still not a svelte, agile shoe. It is no waif. Lighter runners or those with less leg strength may find that the weight can be detrimental over longer distances. It is also not a shoe which will take you to your top end paces. But, Nike have a whole raft of shoes for that so it isn’t really a negative of the Vomero Plus.
Outsole of the Nike Vomero Plus
Grip and Traction
Coverage of the outsole is comprehensive. This could also explain the feelings of stiffness and stability which accompany the Vomero Plus. There are two colours of seemingly the same compound rubber to be found. One which circumnavigates the foam around the outside. Then we find a miniature moat of ZoomX foam laid bare. The middle of the outsole is again pretty fully covered.
I have had the occasion to use the Vomero Plus in a range of conditions and on a range of surfaces and have yet to find it lacking. Grassy loops on the local field on a dewy morning have been no issue. Ankle deep puddles have proven problem free. I have yet to meet snow in the Vomero Plus but it has handled all else with aplomb.
Durability
My original Invincibles ended up with around 900km in them before I sent them to the great shoe rack in the sky. My first 160km in the Vomero Plus would seem to put it on the same trajectory. With the slightly different recipe of ZoomX, there seems to be more longevity to the foam. It certainly feels softer and more bouncy at this point but there are no signs of imminent demise.
Creasing is at a minimum, the outsole rubber is barely worn and I can see this shoe lasting a lot of happy miles.
Conclusion
Value for Money
With a £154.99 price tag, the Vomero Plus sits in the upper middle tier of daily shoe prices. It does not rival the more boutique brands for eyewatering bank bashing. On the other hand it offers a lot more in terms of comfort and quality than its bargain basement brethren.
Furthermore, it is a more versatile shoe than the size or weight may suggest. It can run through a range of paces and distances. Most running other than the very top end speed days are covered. This combined with the expected durability of the mid and outsole make it seem like a good value shoe for most runners.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
As we have mentioned a few times now, the Vomero Plus is pretty versatile. While it isn’t quite a single shoe rotation, it will cover most of your running. Easy days with no pace goals? No problem. Daily miles with endurance and steady pushes? Check. Protective and bouncy tempo touches? Sure! The extra weight will probably also save you a bit of gym money too.
Final Verdict
While it is not the Invincible, it is a refined and welcome successor to the throne. After my initial skepticism of the first couple of runs, the Vomero Plus has softened in midsole and softened my heart. I find myself constantly grabbing it from the shelf and feeling glad that I did both during and after my runs. I do miss the recklessness of the OG Invincible midsole, this is a more mature take on the shoe which will probably suit and delight a wider range of runners. More stable, more welcoming and better fitting, the Vomero Plus will probably top a lot of shoe of the year lists come the reckoning.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Nike Vomero Plus vs Nike Invincible 3
The fit is an easy win for the Vomero Plus. The old Invincible 3 had a horrible fit with slippage and gaping everywhere. The Vomero fits well and holds the foot snugly. The midsole battle comes down to personal taste. If you like a more refined and more stable approach to running, the Vomero is your shoe. If you want to take a walk on the wild side, see if you can track down some discounted Invincibles.
Nike Vomero Plus vs New Balance More v6
Both very big shoes which come with some heft. However, they are shoes which run very differently. The More v6 are an excellent recovery day cruiser which I found it hard to do much else in. The Vomero Plus, on the other hand, offers more versatility and feels lighter underfoot despite what the scales may say. They can both handle the slow, easy stuff but the Vomero Plus offers more life when the paces get a little more lively.
Nike Vomero Plus vs Mizuno Wave Sky 9
For me, this is an easy win for the Vomero. While both are very comfortable shoes, I never really got on with the foam in the Wave Sky 9. I find the ride, energy return and versatility of the Vomero Plus to outshine the Mizuno. The Vomero Plus is also £10 cheaper. Every little helps!
