Foot Doctor Zach's Nike Vomero Plus Review

The Nike Vomero Plus features highly breathable uppers that effectively release heat and moisture.

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The shoe exhibits mild heel slippage due to insufficient padding in the heel counter and ankle collar.

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The outer Zoom X carrier measured 35 durometer, while the inner Zoom X measured 14.5 durometer, indicating a firmer exterior and softer interior.

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The shoe bends appropriately in the forefoot and snaps back, demonstrating good flexibility for forward motion.

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Despite acceptable forefoot torsional stability, the bottom half of the shoe shows significant twisting, indicating overall instability, particularly problematic for runners.

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The shoe provides a smooth transition, measured at 45 degrees by a tensiometer.

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The bounce height test resulted in 37 cm in the rearfoot and 42 cm in the forefoot, indicating it doesn't offer the highest bounce compared to other Zoom X products.

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The full-length waffle pattern outsole provides pretty good traction on various wet and dry surfaces.

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The shoe features an enormous heel width of 9.6 cm, a length of 28.8 cm, and an inflare of 8 degrees, contributing to stability. Metatarsal and toe box widths are standard at 9.7 cm with a 38-degree taper.

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The shoe is highly comfortable and supportive for casual wear and standing but presents instability and potential for pain (plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, arch pain, ankle sprains) for long-mileage running, especially for individuals with foot deformities.

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Upper Breathability Test

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The reviewer performs a breathability test, showing fog pouring out of the sides and forefoot of the uppers. He notes the shoe lets go of a lot of heat and moisture, making a substantial difference in hot and muggy conditions.

Lace Irritation with Runner's Knot

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The reviewer experienced some lace irritation when using a runner's knot, though it was fine without using the back eyelet.

Mild Heel Slippage

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The reviewer noted mild heel slippage, unable to get the heel to lock down like other Nike shoes, attributing it to a lack of padding in the heel counter and ankle collar.

Outer Midsole Durometer Reading

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The outside carrier of Zoom X on the shoe measured 35 on the durometer, described as super tense and substantial.

Inner Midsole Durometer Reading

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The durometer of the Zoom X on the inside of the shoe measured 14.5, which is typical for Zoom X and not super squishy, indicating the outer coating adds hardness.

Forefoot Flexibility and Snapback

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The reviewer demonstrates that the shoe bends appropriately in the forefoot and snaps back, indicating good sagittal plane movement.

Torsional Stability Assessment

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The reviewer twists the shoe, noting that torsional stability in the forefoot is 'not terrible' for a high-stack max cushion shoe with Zoom X foam.

Lower Half Instability Demonstration

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The reviewer demonstrates that the bottom half of the shoe twists easily in his hands, highlighting a significant issue with instability in this max cushion design.

Midsole Tensiometer Measurement

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A tensiometer measured the transition at 45 degrees, which the reviewer describes as a pretty smooth transition.

Bounce Height Test Results

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The bounce height test yielded 37 cm in the rearfoot and 42 cm in the forefoot, which the reviewer notes is not as much bounce as some other Zoom X products, consistent with max cushion shoes not always equaling the most bounce.

Outsole Traction Performance

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The reviewer found the outsole traction to be 'pretty darn good' on various surfaces, including damp, wet asphalt, cement, or concrete.

Heel Width Measurement

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The heel width was measured at 9.6 cm, which the reviewer considers enormous and contributing to stability.

Length Measurement and Inflare

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The shoe measured 28.8 cm in length and had an inflare of only 8 degrees, indicating a pretty straight profile from rearfoot to forefoot, which also adds stability.

Metatarsal Width, Toe Box Width, and Taper

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The metatarsal width was 9.7 cm, the toe box width was 9.7 cm, and the taper was 38 degrees, described as standard for most running shoes.

Comfort for Casual Wear

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When walking around or standing at work, the reviewer found the shoes to feel fantastic, like being 'propped up almost like on clouds,' with not a lot of pressure on the heel or forefoot, making them genuinely loved for casual use.

How breathable are the Nike Vomero Plus shoes?

The reviewer demonstrated the shoe's excellent breathability through a test where fog poured out of the uppers. He noted a substantial difference in comfort in hot, muggy conditions, indicating that the shoe effectively manages heat and moisture.

Is the Nike Vomero Plus stable enough for running?

While the forefoot torsional stability is acceptable, the reviewer found significant instability in the bottom half of the shoe, describing it as 'wobbly.' This instability can lead to issues like 'shimming' during running, potentially causing plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, arch pain, or ankle sprains over long distances, particularly for runners who don't have a perfectly neutral strike or have foot deformities.

Are the Nike Vomero Plus comfortable for casual wear?

The reviewer found the shoes 'fantastic' for walking around and standing during the day, feeling like 'propped up almost like on clouds' with reduced pressure on the heel and forefoot. He genuinely loved them for casual use, citing their comfort and support as key reasons for their popularity in this context.

Does the Nike Vomero Plus have good bounce or responsiveness?

The bounce height test measured 37 cm in the rearfoot and 42 cm in the forefoot. The reviewer noted that despite having a lot of Zoom X, the absence of a shank means it doesn't achieve as much bounce as other Zoom X shoes, suggesting that maximal cushioning doesn't always equate to the most bounce.

How does the Nike Vomero Plus fit in terms of width?

The shoe features an 'enormous' heel width of 9.6 cm. Its metatarsal and toe box widths are standard at 9.7 cm. Importantly, the shoe is available in multiple widths, making it suitable for narrow, medium, 2E, and potentially 4E foot types, offering good customization for fit.

Is the Nike Vomero Plus suitable for individuals with specific foot pains or deformities?

For runners, the shoe is not recommended if you have unstable flat feet, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, arch pain, or knee/hip/back pain, as its instability can exacerbate these conditions. The reviewer specifically warns against it for those with very high arches (supernators) or significant overpronators due to increased abnormal forces. However, for casual wear, it is generally considered acceptable even with these conditions.