A few weeks back, after many years of faithful service, my favorite pair of trusty running shoes finally bit the dust. I have to admit, I was a little relieved as they weren’t the most supportive in the end. The harsh terrain of LA, combined with the hot Californian sun had really done a number on my feet, and I was excited to pick up a pair of good-quality hiking/running shoes that were actually comfortable to wear.
There are a few things in life that I don’t compromise on, and comfortable footwear is one of them. Trust me, I’ve hiked in cheap and uncomfortable shoes in the past and I was paying the price weeks later. Never again.
After hearing a lot of good things about the Nike Vomero 17, I decided to go one better and test out the new Nike Vomero 18. Finally, while out in Santa Monica, I took the plunge and picked up a pair.
Eager to try them out, the next day I snapped a few shots of them on and headed to Zion National Park for their first hike. Here’s a look at what I liked about them, what I loved, and what I wasn’t very impressed with.
First Impressions
So, what did I think of the new Nike Vomero 18 shoes? Well, after comparing them with the 17s, I have to say I liked what I saw.
The Vomero 18s are vastly different to the 17s. So much so in fact, that they’re pretty much unrecognizable from their predecessors. From my understanding, this is Nike’s first attempt at a high-stack midsole shoe and as of this writing, is their tallest shoe to date.
I personally love the color of this shoe, as the predominantly white design, including the laces, contrasted with the bright colors of the outsole and midsole looks great. The trademark black Nike swoosh really helps tie everything together. For me, these shoes just looked professional, and expensive.
There’s plenty of colors to choose from, though as you can see from the pictures, I opted for white and teal, which I think looks great. I was tempted by the electric pink and white. I liked how the colors and the design is gender neutral too.
When I first slipped them on, I was also pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they were. They were definitely a true fit, and there was plenty of foam padding in the heel and the tongue. If I have one criticism, it’s the fact that my feet did get a little clammy as there wasn’t heaps of room for air to circulate inside. I’m sure the fierce LA sun probably didn’t help, but it’s worth remembering if you’re prone to sweaty feet.
Specs and Features
After putting in a steady 11 miles or so around Zion National Park and a few other local beauty spots, I definitely had a better feeling of what these shoes were all about.
Here’s a quick overview of what I think are some of the more important specs and features of the Vomero 18.
Unique Midsole
One of the features that really helps this shoe to stand out is its unique midsole with a 10mm heel drop. Not only does it look great, and offer exceptional stack heights, but it also has plenty of cushioning too. This gives it a nice springy feel, especially when running on hard or uneven terrain.
It’s also very thick, or thicc, as they say on TikTok nowadays. Which I loved. It reminded me a lot of the Asics Gel Kayno 30, which is no bad thing.
Forefoot Rocker
The Nike Vomero 18 also features a forefoot rocker which helps give plenty of propulsion. I definitely noticed this when first setting off from a stationary position. I also sometimes suffer with a little pain and stiffness in my toes, so this was a welcome feature.
Zoom X and React X Foam
I keep talking about that midsole, but for me, that’s what really sells these shoes.
A layer of both Nike’s Zoom X and React X Foam help to provide plenty of cushioning and support for the feet. It’s nice and firm, which I really like in a running shoe.
Outsole and Grip
The Vomero 18 also features a carbon rubber outsole, with regrind rubber under the forefoot.
I found that this helps it to perform better for longer runs or hikes, rather than short and explosive workouts. It performed great on hard, dry, rocky terrain as well as indoors on a treadmill.
Being in Cali, I haven’t had chance to properly test them out in wet conditions, though I did go for a walk after a sudden downpour and the grip wasn’t as impressive, but I guess that’s to be expected.
Pull Loop Heel
Now, I’m not ashamed to admit that I love a shoe that’s easy to slip on, so whenever I see a pull loop heel, it immediately grabs my eye.
The Vomero 18 does indeed have a pull loop heel to assist with slipping it on and off effortlessly. It’s a little snug, even for my fingers, but nevertheless, it’s a welcome feature in my eyes.
What I Loved
Okay, so, what did I really enjoy about the Nike Vomero 18? Well, take a look and see for yourselves.
- Attractive, colorful, modern, gender-neutral design
- Very versatile shoe ideal for running, hiking, walking, and other indoor and outdoor pursuits
- Great on hard, soft, dry, flat, and uneven terrains and surfaces
- Plenty of comfort and support
- Forefoot rocker for comfort and practicality
- Secure, comfortable, true-to-size fit
What I Wasn’t Impressed With
With the positives, you must also take the negatives, so here are a few minor details I feel that Nike could quite easily improve upon:
- Feet can sometimes get hot and sweaty due to poor airflow circulation inside
- Grip wasn’t the best in damp conditions
Final Thoughts
So, what did I think of the Nike Vomero 18? Well, I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised.
The Vomero 18 is a very versatile shoe that would be ideal for runners and hikers alike. It offers plenty of comfort and support, and so far appears to be very durable. It’s performed great on off-road hikes on dry, dusty, uneven terrain, as well as indoors on treadmills at my local gym.
At around $155 – $175 as of this writing, it’s more than double that of the budget-friendly Nike Revolution 7 (another solid entry-level shoe) but for me the price is worth it.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not, and there are a few issues that Nike should address. Ultimately, though, this is a solid, comfortable, versatile shoe that should appeal to runners and hikers alike.
