Nike Vomero Premium Review: Wuthering Heights

I really enjoy the feel of this shoe for walking or standing, but not for anything faster because it's not any more propulsive there than the Superblasts. You don't really notice the weight even though at 326g(11.5oz) in US9 it's the heaviest shoe I own, but still low compared to basketball shoes which can be up to 500g(17oz.)

There's two bounce sweet-spots(B-spots) under the forefoot and heel, more of a dead spot between them in comparison. It also has a decent rocker to help with turnover.

Besides the off-the-charts cushion, what also makes this shoe sorta unique(besides the obvious) is that it only takes the low-energy input of walking force to get the rebound, unlike shoes that feel like a brick until you pound them, like the Asics Megablast.

That said, I still think you need to put the minimal force into them to get the return by having sufficient bodyweight, don't bother unless you weigh over 150lb(68kg.) For lighter runners who won't be able to activate this shoe, there are better shoes for walking, like the Dynafish Xiaonian, and then you get the ability to run there since you don't need the ultracushioning.

The shoe feels stable despite the high stack due to a heel clip that extends down. In terms of as a comfort cruiser, it's softer than the alternatives(Asics Nimbus, Brooks GlycerinMax, or Puma Magmax) but the bounce is in a whole other class.

However, the bounce isn't the most noticeable part of the ride, it's the bottomless cushioning, compared at low force to the second best, the Mizuno NeoVista2, it's better by 4.2% in impact protection and about that much in bounce too!

It feels slightly firm, but quickly softens with force. Not as much when standing, it's firmish, but when moving it feels as if on clouds, more than any other shoe that makes that claim.

It's not one of those shoes I would urge as a must-have unless you are a pretty heavy runner(here there's nothing better) but there's something to be said about the swag factor with its out-of-this-world looks. Who knows, it could make you more attractive to the opposite sex? At least you look rich.

The tread-depth is extreme, so it may be good in the Sahara where there are no rocks to pop the two exposed pods. I would say at the beach but the sides would pick up wet sand. 

The coverage is pretty full, so it's not too bad on wet pavement hydroplaning, but the lack of latitudinal grooves means it can slip if there's dry sand. In the age of AI-designed patterns, I'm not sure if Bowerman's waffle design was out of wisdom or necessity. I guess it's a nostalgic touch.

It's decently sticky and the wear abrasion-resistance is better than average so it might just last the 1600K(1000mi) lifespan of the midsole.

It has an overall-combined traction rating of 7.3

The fit is roomy, breathable, and well-padded, it's the textbook definition of comfortable. The stack height's bulky heel makes you want to take it off when sitting.

The forefoot is nimbly-shaped(pointy) and narrower than you'd expect for easier directional changes, but the midfoot and heel are wide enough that you don't really need a fantastic lockdown for lateral stability.

The ankle collar is made for thick people, so it's a unique shoe in the fact that you have to murder the laces(top ones) to prevent heel slip.

To put it on, you must loosen the laces every time, but only the top half because you tightened against heelslip earlier, then you easily slide your heel down until it's ensconced. There's no rubbing, but I wouldn't take it out on a freezing night due to the breathability.

The laces aren't elastic or sawtooth, but smooth so you need a double-knot. Then taking them off you have to loosen the top two eyeholes a bit.

1. Some have black or white AirZoom units in the side which are subtle, but the others are ostentatious so you have to be brave
2.  Pretty darn expensive, but there's limited supply and a lot of material
3.  Not enough energy return to help you run fast
4. Like a new Ferrari, you have to worry/be careful all the time to avoid sharp obstacles

No matter how good a shoe is, there might be room for improvement:

This shoe features a 4.1mm footbed that only uses the absolutely bog-standard technology available for insoles: lowly 1974-tech first-generation foam: vinyl (EVA.) This isn't as good as it gets from a factory, with nothing remarkable whatsoever, so I could make it better:

The shape of these have upwrap sidewalls only in the heel, and that's basically the same as my replacement.

I had plenty of room even with my high-volume-instep foot to use a same-US-size "Deluxe" insole from OmegaWalk that they use in their shoes.

This 2013-tech second-generation foam ETPU(LightBoost beaded urethane) insole added 2.3mm(6.4-4.1mm) to my forefoot and 4.9mm(9-4.1mm) to my heel height, now at 47.8/60.4mm(1.88/2.38") total and 16g(28-12g) to my weight, now at 342g(12oz.) Truly a behemoth.

This upgrade doesn't affect the comfort, but provides a decent amount more bounce.

They can be ordered separately for $15 shipped and have a nice cloth gripcover, albeit loudly colored.

It also delays wear on the midsole(not really an issue with 3rd-gen foam) by distributing foot-pressure points evenly.