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Nike’s Next Running Shoe Escalates the Arms Race Against Hoka

With the Vomero Plus, the Swoosh is done being subtle in the cushion contest versus its newest rival.

Nike Vomero PlusNike

By Jack Seemer

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Sometimes, you need to fight fire with fire. Or, in the case of Nike, cushion with cushion.

It’s no secret that Nike has struggled with slumping sales. And while it remains the largest shoemaker in the world, it continues to lose a significant number of customers to upstarts like Hoka, which recently appointed a longtime Nike exec to lead its brand.

The Swoosh’s next running shoe aims to win them back. What’s more, it isn’t being subtle about it.

Nike Vomero Plus
The Vomero Plus is expected to arrive later this year.
Nike

On the plus side

Leaked photos of the forthcoming Vomero Plus show Nike won’t give up easy in the battle of cushioning, with the new shoe set to arrive as the brand’s most obvious response to Hoka to date — specifically, the latter’s high-stack Bondi model.

Nike Vomero Plus
With its bright colorways, oversized stack height and free-flowing design language, the Vomero Plus is a not-so-subtle rebuttal of the Hoka Bondi.
Nike

Though details remain scarce surrounding the Vomero Plus, both the bright colorways and fluid lines on the midsole and upper are reminiscent of the Bondi 8.

In fact, the similarities are so stark that were it not for the Swoosh logo, the Vomero Plus would more closely resemble the shoe than Hoka’s own generational follow-up, the Bondi 9 (released in early 2025).

Hoka Bondi 8
The Hoka Bondi 8 (pictured) eventually made way for the Bondi 9 in early 2025.
Hoka

That said, the Vomero Plus wont necessarily arrive out of left field when it does hit retailers later this year.

When Nike unveiled the Vomero 18 shoe in November of 2024, it also announced its plans to round out the Vomero series with variations on its chief attribute: max cushion.

white nike shoes
The Vomero 18 features a mix of both ZoomX and ReactX in the midsole. It retails for $150.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

In a way, the Vomero Plus is the brand making good on that promise, while also hinting at a possible differentiator between its tech and that of the Vomero 18.

Nike Vomero Plus
The Vomero Plus won’t just feature different foam but more of it. Though details remain scarce, photo reveal it to be well above 40mm.
Nike

Photos of the Vomero Plus confirm that the shoe will boast at least some amount of ZoomX cushioning in the midsole, with the possibility of it being the only foam used — as is the case with Nike’s soon-to-be discontinued Invincible series. (The Vomero 18 had a mix of ZoomX and ReactX.)

Nike Vomero Plus
ZoomX is Nike’s best foam, and it could feature exclusively in the Vomero Plus.
Nike

Regardless, any amount of PEBA-based ZoomX (the same stuff found in Nike’s record-breaking super shoes) would represent an upgrade over the EVA used in the Hoka Bondi for years, even though the brand finally upgraded to supercritical EVA for the latest generation.

Nike Vomero Plus
The outsole of the Vomero Plus is a modern interpretation of Nike’s signature waffle pattern, first developed in the early 1970s.
Nike

Price and availability

Ultimately, though, the deciding factor for many shoppers will be the price.

The Hoka Bondi 9 costs $170, with the Vomero Plus expected to be around $180 when it releases later this year.

The Vomero 18, meanwhile, retails for $150 — the same price as the Hoka Clifton 10.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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