I have been eyeing the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 retros for months now. They’ve been popping up on my Instagram feed in modern, earthy tones like “dusted clay” and “smokey mauve.” And once IG knows I like a shoe, they keep targeting me with them every single day until I crack. They look so nice paired with baggy jeans and wide leg black pleated pants, so when German sneaker website everysize reached out to collab on a review of them, I was all in.
Table of Contents
Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Review
The Vomero +5 originally released in 2010-2011 as part of the Bowerman Series. They were a running-specific model meant for serious to average runners who wanted a cushioned, supportive ride. I don’t remember them ever being that popular, but their design must have stuck in enough Nike exec’s heads that they decided to bring them back less than 10 years later.
In 2018, Nike collaborated with the very hip and cool A-Cold-Wall to release a retro version with a big huge plastic space-agey piece attached to the heel. They were really weird-looking, but enough influencers wore them properly to make people take notice of the Vomero 5 again. Nike started dropping new colorways the next few years. Some were fairly popular, while others hit the sales racks.
I specifically remember traveling for work in Indiana back in 2021 and seeing the Vomero 5 on sale at every Burlington Coat Factory and Ross store deeply discounted for around $60. One particular member of the Nike NYC Brand team messaged me when I posted them on Instagram and asked me to look out for his size since he really wanted a pair. I found it so funny that someone from Nike was asking ME for a pair of shoes from Burlington – especially something as random as the Vomero 5. It turns out he probably knew Nike had bigger plans for this model down the road.
Over the past year, Nike has brought back the Vomero 5 in a big way with a ton of new colors to choose from. Here’s a breakdown of the pair I got.
Initial Thoughts
As soon as I received the Vomero 5 in the mail and opened up the box, I was excited to see them. I really like the materials and design of the Vomero 5, as well as the colors. The pair I got is called “Orewood Brown,” and it has hits of cream and very light blue on the upper and soles. I unlaced them and slipped them on immediately. They retail at the price point of $160 USD and you can find them in a bunch of different colors for both men and women on everysize.com.
Fit
“They’re too small,” I said to myself as I started to walk around in them. I ordered my standard size US 11 and right away noticed that my toes were pressed up against the front of the shoes. There are ways to modify this, as I’m used to sneakers either fitting too tight or too big in the toe box. I started to peel up the inner liner, but it was glued down so I stopped. I decided to lace them up tighter, and that definitely did the trick. After walking about 10 miles in them, I’d still say they’re a bit small so you should go up a half size if you decide to try them out.
Another reason they feel small is because there is not much structure to the Vomero for a serious running shoe. The upper is mostly mesh with some thin suede panels on the sides. There is a plastic cage on the heel and the tongue is sewn inside the upper to provide some stability, but overall I feel like my foot flops around in the shoes and naturally pushes forward which causes my toes to press up against the front of the shoes.
Feel
The cushioning is not the issue with the Vomero 5. You can definitely feel the Zoom Air Unit and Cushlon under your feet. The Vomero 5 offers a super-smooth ride and if anything, they are too comfortable. With every step, my foot sinks down into that pillowy Zoom Air and Cushlon and just wants to stay there. The older I get, the more I tend to appreciate sneakers that have a strong cushion setup but are a little firmer.
On my right foot, where the Swoosh is sewn into the upper, I felt the stitching rubbing onto my foot. This is super annoying for a new shoe, and I definitely don’t appreciate when it happens. A running shoe should never have this issue. On day 2 of wearing them, I noticed it a bit less as I started to break them in more.
I also am not a fan of the laces. They look cheap and they don’t look great when laced tightly. I’m probably going to swap them out for flat laces in either white or a light cream color. Also, there was a glue stain on the side of the right shoe, which unfortunately happens all too often with Nike. Quality control definitely needs to improve on this.
Function
The Vomero 5 was initially designed as a serious running performance shoe. I may try to go for a few runs in them, but they are definitely worn more for casual use today. Nike has produced a ton of great lifestyle colorways that go well with casual outfits that you can wear for work and going out. I like the light grey models the best, as they are very versatile and understated. You can’t deny that Nike is bringing back the Vomero 5 to compete with New Balance’s 990 line. They are very similar silhouettes and serve the same purpose for style and function.
I’ve been wearing the New Balance 990v6 a lot lately, and find it to be a better fit for me personally compared to the Vomero 5. However, you can’t argue how nice the Vomero 5 looks and feels, and I definitely plan on wearing them as well straight through the Spring and Summer months.
Overall, I love the design and materials on the Vomero 5. I am disappointed that they run a bit small, and there is just not enough structure to them for my taste. If you’re planning on getting them, check them out here.
