Nike Vomero 17 Review

Upper

Liz: "I absolutely love the upper on the Vomero 17. The one-piece engineered mesh has a bootie-style lining that is a lightly padded mesh. This gives the upper a soft and padded feel without being too bulky or hot on foot. The tongue provides the perfect level of padding to prevent the laces from cutting into the top of the foot, while still being thin and lying flat across the foot. While I do not think it is the most stylish shoe, the look is similar to the Pegasus and makes for a clean, classic-looking sneaker that crosses over well from daily runs to the gym to casual wear as well."

Jon: "The Vomero 17 is true to size and offers a comfortable fit all around. The heel fits average, the midfoot fits average, and the toe box is average to roomy with a good amount of volume. The engineered mesh is relatively breathable, though things got a bit warm on an unseasonably hot long run.

The best feature for me is the plush tongue and stretchy laces. The tongue is thick, which could be a little warm for some, but it felt great during my runs. The one area of irritation I experienced was the heel collar, which was a little tall for me, so it rubbed against my ankle bones. Long socks helped, but the rubbing was still not ideal. Overall, the upper gets the job done, but it lacks the premium look and feel of Nike's other premium daily trainers, such as the Nike InfinityRN or Invincible."

Kaleb: "The Vomero 17's engineered mesh upper was very comfortable and is worthy of the plush badge of approval thanks to the padded heel and tongue design. The shoe fit my average-width foot very well, providing a nice balance of security and spaciousness. That can be tough to get right in a shoe, so hats off to Nike in that regard. 

I agree that the upper ran a bit warm, and the Vomero 17 is not the shoe I would go with when temps are toasty, but regardless, I never experienced any hot spots or blisters. I also really enjoyed the simple, classic style of the upper. It is not overly flashy, by any means, which is perfect for the office, and it even looked good alongside my more casual outfits when out about town."

Midsole

Liz: "The ZoomX foam top layer of the midsole gives the shoe a light and squishy softness upon initial step in, while the Cushlon bottom layer helps to compose the foam, adding stability and extra impact protection. The Vomero also offered a very comfortable and versatile ride for daily training. There is still a touch of ground feel and responsiveness when you want to pick up the pace, but I would not describe the ride as bouncy or explosive. Rather, the midsole prioritizes comfort and protection for daily training and longer runs. I would liken the midsole experience to a firmer memory foam pillow. There is a squishy softness at first, but the foam is dense enough to provide support without feeling harsh underfoot."

Jon: "Wow, I really enjoyed running in this shoe. The top layer of ZoomX foam is soft and bouncy, while the Cushlon 3.0 bottom layer offers excellent stability. The Vomero's ride was very protective thanks to the 39 mm of foam in the heel, and heel-to-toe transitions were silky smooth thanks to the ZoomX. The addition of the Cushlon 3.0 elevates the shoe's versatility, in my opinion, especially when compared to shoes like the Invincible, which I would only wear for easier-paced runs. Of course, the Vomero would not be my top choice for a speed training day, but it can certainly get the job done. Moreover, I would not hesitate to lace these up on my weekend long runs or recovery days."

Kaleb: "During the fall season, I spend a lot of time running around coaching soccer, so getting a lot of mileage in can be difficult, which is why shoes like the Vomero 17 come in so clutch. I can put it on in the morning knowing that I can comfortably wear it around the office, then transition to soccer, and finally an evening run without skipping a beat.

The well-balanced midsole is protective, pleasantly bouncy, and stable, giving me the versatility I need to complete an assortment of daily training runs, which is perfect, as runs I get in post-practice can be dependent on my energy levels after a long day.

The midsole has received a big upgrade with version 17, and the Vomero is now definitely softer with a more distinguishable energy return compared to its predecessor. It still is not a speed shoe and there are more protective options for my longest efforts, but the ride was very smooth and fun to run in, and I am excited to get more and more mileage with this shoe." 

Outsole

Liz: "I was super impressed with the Vomero 17's outsole. I feel like most running shoes feature more minimal outsole designs to save on weight, but instead, the Vomero 17 sees a burly, full-length outsole with a very grippy design."

Jon: "There is considerable rubber coverage on the Vomero's outsole, and I appreciated the grip it offered. There is some considerable lug depth as well, which also makes this shoe suitable for light trail use."

Kaleb: "The Vomero 17 has excellent grip thanks to the high-abrasion rubber and small-lugged design. I had no problems with the outsole grip on paved surfaces and was also confident running loose gravel and dirt paths. Given that this is a road shoe, I did not take the Vomero on a trail run, but I believe it has the versatility to tackle lighter trails if you so choose. I also do not foresee durability being an issue with the Vomero 17. After the testing period, my pair is showing no noticeable signs of wear."

Comparable Models

ASICS Nimbus 25 vs. Nike Vomero 17

Liz: "The Vomero 17 competes directly with other premium daily trainers like the ASICS Nimbus. Both shoes have a well-cushioned and soft midsole design, but I found the Nimbus to be softer and more protective underfoot.

The Nimbus has a bouncy softness with a more forward-rolling feel, while the Vomero has a firmer feeling responsiveness that puts you more on your toes when you pick up the pace. I feel that the Vomero has a more versatile design for those who want a shoe that crosses over well to other types of workouts and has a touch more ground feel than a shoe like the Nimbus."

Kaleb: "The Vomero 17 is soft and protective, reminding me a bit of the ASICS Nimbus 25, though the Nimbus is more protective and better suited for long-distance runs than the Vomero. Both shoes fit very well and emphasize comfort, but I personally enjoyed the Nimbus' knit tongue design more overall. I feel like runners cannot go wrong with either model. If you want a more protective shoe, then go with the Nimbus. If you want a little more pop and versatility, then go with the Vomero."

Nike Pegasus vs. Nike Vomero 17

Jon: "Typically, I like to compare a testing shoe to a comparable model from a different brand, but the Vomero 17 feels unique. It features a dual foam setup similar to some super trainers but does not contain any midsole plate. It is soft and highly cushioned but not as plush as some other max-cushioned daily trainers currently available. So, rather than finding a direct comparison, I think it is more helpful to think of the Vomero 17 as an elevated Pegasus with a midsole influenced by the Invincible.

Like the Pegasus, the Vomero 17 can do a lot of things well and could certainly be the go-to, reliable workhorse in your shoe rotation, but with a premium midsole design. The upper and outsole of the Vomero 17 are also reminiscent of the Pegasus, just slightly more built up and with a more plush tongue. Compared to the Invincible, the only similarity is the top layer of ZoomX. Overall, the Vomero 17 offers the versatility of a Pegasus with premium comfort that is just a step below that of the Invincible, making it my choice out of the three."