Nike Pegasus Premium to Vomero 18 Comparison Review with 7 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum

Nike Vomero 18 ($150) & Nike Pegasus Premium ($210)

Within the article, I take a look at and examine two of Nike’s key 2025 street trainers. Whereas each have primarily the identical huge tremendous max 45-46 mm heel / 35-36 mm stack peak and 10mm drop, they differ considerably in weight, outsole design and pricing, and to a lesser extent match.

To maintain it easy, earlier than entering into the small print, the heavier Pegasus Premium, in iconic  Pegasus vogue, provides full size and novel Air Zoom “plate” formed equally to their racing Flyplate whereas the Vomero 18 leaves out the Zoom Air plate.

It sits between the ZoomX prime midsole layer and decrease ReactX layer.  

The Vomero goes with a thinner prime layer of ZoomX with the remainder of the midsole ReactX

The ZoomX within the Premium (left above) is 20mm thick and above the Air Zoom whereas within the Vomero 18 the Zoom X  is about 13-15mm thick above the purple “ZoomX” space which is definitely React X foam.

The Premium retains an intensive and thick entrance waffle design outsole to create a rocker based mostly shoe and shield the Air Zoom. 

The plateless Vomero goes with a extra skeletal outsole for lighter weight and extra flexibility. 

The distinction in pricing between these 2 fairly related using footwear is stark with the   Premium at $210 (not unknown nowadays for prime of line plated trainers) with Vomero 18 at very aggressive in its class at $150.

In a considerably unusual, however not unknown for 2024- 2025 contradiction (suppose Skyward X from Hoka), the heavier (by 22g) and firmer and extra responsive Premium might be considered the uptempo lengthy cruiser whereas the softer extra mellow and lighter Vomero the on a regular basis however velocity days max cushion possibility.

Nike Run Coach Product Technique

First revealed in  December 2025  at The Working Occasion, Nike shall be making a 3 tier product line for every of its “icon” fashions: Construction, Pegasus,and Vomero. Every type can have Premium, Plus, and Icon fashions. 

Supply: Nike.com

Premium fashions, we assume based mostly on our expertise testing the Pegasus Premium will. sure, be premium priced and can embrace extra innovative applied sciences and extra elaborate constructions. 

Plus we are able to assume based mostly on Pegasus Plus could embrace extra efficiency targeted supplies than Icons and lighter weights however  at this tme we are able to’t but ensure what a Vomero Plus or Construction Plus shall be.

By the Numbers 

The Vomero 18 is lighter by 22g / 0.78 oz lighter 

Stack heights and drops are primarily the identical

Vomero 18 sits on a 5mm wider platform on the floor

Vomero 18 is $60 much less

Peg Premium ($210)

Pattern Weight: males’s 10.86 oz / 308g US8.5

Stack Top: males’s  45 mm heel /  35 mm forefoot (10 mm drop) 

Platform Width: 90 mm heel / 65mm midfoot / 110 mm forefoot

Vomero 18 ($150)

Pattern Weight: males’s  10.1oz / 286g US8.5 

Stack Top: males’s  46mm heel /  36mm forefoot (10mm drop) 

Platform Width: 95mm heel / 70mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot 

Uppers

Each uppers are primarily on the identical final and have the identical fundamental match. They differ in supplies used which in my testing produced some variations in a single foot match and maintain in addition to breathability.

The Pegasus Premium has a really ethereal thinner and stiffer major mesh with mono mesh panels at midfoot and has a safe maintain total paying homage to icon Pegasus however with extra midfoot quantity.

The Vomero 18 has a extra standard mushy and considerably stretchy engineered mesh and is extra consolation targeted and simpler going than the Pegasus Premium’s higher  General,  it has extra quantity particularly on the toe field the place the mesh nas extra give.

The Pegasus Premium has no gusset on its tongue whereas the Vomero has a full gusset which additionally serves as an internal all the way in which to the entrance lining, so a softer really feel over the toes.  The Premium midfoot maintain given its aspect panels of non stretch mesh is extra supportive though for impartial and lightweight pronators the Vomero maintain needs to be effective.

The Pegasus Premium has.. Premium ridged laces with lace up extra aggressive ands safe however nonetheless padded by the plush ventilated tongue whereas the Vomero has extra standard flat laces. 

There isn’t a query given its extra open unlined building that the Premium’s higher is extra breathable.

An enormous plus for the Premium is that’s way more intensive reflectivity by way of a 360 wrap round overlay whereas the Vomero has extra minimal but nonetheless sufficient reflectivity

Whereas each have substantial heel counters, the Premium’s is extra inflexible, greater and extra supportive.

The suits have been each true to dimension for me. 

The Premium has a safer total efficiency sort maintain whereas the Vomero is extra consolation targeted. 

Given the non-stretch nature of the Premium’s toe mesh and the substantial reflective wrap round overlay up entrance and throughout the shoe, these with greater quantity wants up entrance would possibly take into account sizing up half a dimension within the Pegasus however not within the Vomero.

Midsoles and Platforms

Each footwear incorporate a prime layer of supercritical Zoom X foam and a backside layer of React X with the Premium including a full size Air Zoom “plate” in between. 

This Zoom Air is the primary from Nike to be formed with the same geometry to their carbon racing FlyPlate. 

There are variations past the Air Zoom unit although each are inside a millimeter in stack peak at round 45-46mm heel / 35-36mm forefoot. 

The Premium has a deeper 20mm layer of Zoom X underfoot whereas the Vomero has between 13 and 15mm of Zoom X, the layer above the purple coloured “ZoomX” space within the picture under.

The React X layer within the Premium solely extends from the heel to midfoot whereas within the Vomero it’s full size.

When bearing in mind the 5mm thick full protection entrance outsole and 10mm thick Air Zoom unit, we get a really totally different entrance of the shoe really feel. The Premium is clearly extra reactive and firmer (extra Zoom X, Air Zoom and 5mm thick rubber) off the entrance on toe off whereas the Vomero with all Zoom X and ReactX and a thinner extra segmented outsole  is softer and bouncier, once more its consolation on the run focus vs extra efficiency focus of the Premium.

Regardless of the Premium being heavier by 22g / 0.78 oz, and this was felt in an A/B take a look at run, its platform is extra dynamic and faster off the bottom. 

By way of total cushioning with 45-46 mm on the heel and 35-36mm upfront, there’s loads in each! The Premium, resulting from its Air Zoom and extra intensive rubber, particularly up entrance is considerably firmer. 

It’s also vital to notice that Peg Premium is a inflexible shoe (fuller outsole protection and Air Zoom within the combine)  whereas the Vomero 18, even after just a few runs has some flexibility. Each are simple sufficient to show over largely to the sensible alternative by Nike to maintain the drop at 10mm. The Vomero has a bonus at slower paces resulting from its extra segmented entrance outsole and no Air Zoom.

Outsoles

Left: Vomero 18    Proper: Pegasus Premium

The outsoles are very totally different in design and, as stated above, have an effect on the rides. Whereas the heel protection in each is comparable, the entrance outsoles are very totally different.

The Pegasus Premium has full protection of mini sq. lugs in a really dense sample with the traction considerably slick on moist surfaces and for positive on snow. I believe the dense sample and total outsole 5mm depth (lugs and plate) serves 2 functions: shield the Air Zoom simply above whose underside has a plastic plate and provides the shoe a fast if firmer rebound off the entrance. It does each, whereas on the unfavorable aspect of the ledger, a lot rubber contributes to weight as rubber is the heaviest materials in a shoe.

In stark, distinction the Vomero outsole is rather more segmented upfront with extra uncovered midsole at mid foot and in the direction of the heel. The rubber is in all the appropriate locations so sturdiness needs to be effective. I’ve not but examined on the identical moist and slushy roads as I did the Premium and can quickly to match traction.

Its design makes it extra cushioned in really feel and  versatile up entrance and simpler to toe off at slower paces  however not as shortly reactive because the Premium. And fewer rubber contributes to the Vomero’s significantly lighter weight than the Premium.

Trip Comparisons

Having now examined each, together with an A/B run one on every foot, it’s clear whereas each are the identical max cushion stack peak of round 45mm heel with similar 10mm drops their rides are distinctly totally different, and particularly upfront.

 

The Premium’s mixture of supplies underfoot give it a clearly extra reactive/responsive and considerably firmer forefoot really feel favors sooner paces over slower ones. The Premium’s higher is extra supportive (its mesh and better extra inflexible heel counter whereas lighter than the Vomero’s. Its Air Zoom, with at its base even a plastic plate and intensive outsole ship a considerably extra secure trip than the Vomero. 

The Vomero, in distinction, is considerably softer upfront (trip and higher) and extra all of a chunk in really feel there, and elsewhere as effectively and is simpler entering into each match and trip. It’s a mushy trip however however maintains good power return none the much less, however not fairly that of the Premium. It favors extra mellow paces than the Premium but can be a lighter shoe.

Conclusions

Nike just about invented the tremendous max cushion coach class (40mm plus on the heel) with the now historical 2020 Tempo Subsequent% which had an similar stack peak to the Premium and Vomero,  then did nothing a lot of word or new in street trainers till final 12 months’s very good Pegasus Plus.

In 2025, with the Vomero 18 and Pegasus Premium Nike  be a part of the tremendous max race with two stable entries, and I believe effectively differentiated ones on a variety of ranges. 

The Premiumn has  the extra supportive but lighter higher and is the secure reactive sooner paces entry regardless of its larger weight. By and huge the inclusion of the complete size Air Zoom “plate” is profitable however together with the overdone outsole makes it on the dimensions however much less so on street, a heavy shoe at 10.86 oz / 308g US8.5 in my US8.5 and on the pockets at $210.  At its weight and worth it’s not completely out of line with its closest competitor the Hoka Skyward X,  

What would I wish to see completed otherwise? An all ZoomX or different supercritical foam midsole eliminating the ReactX to cut back weight and improve power return but extra. 

Sure, Air Zoom is a signature Nike expertise.  Heck I put on examined the unique Tailwind Air manner again within the 1970’s!  How a few lighter and extra versatile propulsion expertise reminiscent of a plastic sort plate or perhaps a three dimensional or skeletal carbon plate such because the Skyward X and Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 have? And even no plate in any respect sustaining the 10mm drop and going all ZoomX with the outsole of the Vomero 18?

The Vomero 18 is a less complicated shoe eliminating the Air Zoom from the design, decreasing the thickness of ZoomX and incorporating extra of a rocker. And I believe, in a primary for Nike lately if I can recall, with a extra segmented decrease protection outsole and extra flex. It’s higher is a very effective mushy engineered mesh fairly not like the tough if extra supportive Flyknits of latest Nike. 

At $150, which is a $10 worth drop in worth from the 17, with primarily equal cushion depth as  the Premium and with loads of ZoomX, it’s a higher worth and a extra on a regular basis run snug possibility than the Pegasus Premium. 

Now think about if it was all Zoom X (even twin density with decrease layer barely firmer) with the identical geometry and outsole. Weight would drop and power return would improve.

7 Comparisons

Vomero 17 (RTR Assessment)

In comparison with the 17,  the 18 goes up 6.5 mm in stack peak on the heel and drops 5mm on the forefoot but solely goes up 0.1 oz in weight. Credit score to the much less intensive outsole protection and less complicated and extra snug higher. The prior Cushlon decrease layer is changed by the newer extra power returning React X foam. Clearly the 18 is a extra mellow using and extra cushioned coach.

Pegasus 40/41  (RTR Assessment)

A lot decrease stack peak at: 9.2 oz / 261 g (US8.5) and decrease peak at 33 mm heel / 23 mm forefoot, the “icon” Peg shares Air Zoom with the Premium however as a forefoot unit and never the complete size plate like design of the Premium. Whereas very “totally different” footwear you’ll really feel the attribute firmer response of the Air in each. Far more conventional in stack peak, the icon Peg is a basic each day coach with much less cushion and extra street really feel and is healthier suited to hurry work than the a lot heavier and extra inflexible Premium 

Invincible Run 3 (RTR Assessment)

At 10.13 oz / 287g in my US8.5 pattern with a 40mm heel / 30.6mm forefoot stack peak the Invincible is similar weight because the Vomero 18 however 5mm decrease in cushion stack but 0.75 oz lighter than the Premium. It has an all ZoomX foam midsole. As with the Peg Premium, it has for my part an overdone outsole which provides to weight and rigidity. Its stiff higher is much less snug and fewer roomy than both of the 2025 Nike max cushion trainers right here. A very effective extra uptempo longer run shoe its most direct present Nike comparability from a efficiency standpoint could be the Pegasus Premium, understanding that the Premium is heavier.

Pegasus Plus (RTR Assessment)

My unplated velocity days pairing to both Peg Premium or Vomero 18 and my choose any day over the present “icon” Pegasus  The Plus has Zoom X on a far decrease weight 8.42 oz / 239g US8.5 and stack peak 35 mm heel /  25 mm forefoot platform than the Premium. At $180 its pricing does give pause nevertheless it finally ends up a really gentle and versatile complement to max cushion trainers.

Hoka Bondi 9  (RTR Assessment)

At about the identical weight of 10.2 oz / 286g US8.5, on a really barely decrease heel platform of 43mm however a lot greater (+8mm) forefoot of 38mmt and wider 100mm heel / 85mm midfoot / 100 mm forefoot platform, the Bondi will get there with an all supercritical EVA single foam midsole. Considerably softer and bouncier than the Vomero 18, its closet comparability, it’s not fairly as quick feeling however but simpler on drained legs. True to dimension for me and with comparable suits.

Hoka Skyward X  (RTR Assessment)

The Skyward X is the closest competitor to the Peg Premium together with in pricing at $225. it’s significantly greater stacked than the Premium at 48 mm heel / 43 mm forefoot. Its midsole is made of two sorts of supercritical foam: PEBA and EVA  and it incorporate an elaborate forked carbon plate. Whereas the entrance of the Premium is extra direct and responsive (and firmer), the Skyward is extra nice total and appears to have extra bounce and return off the entrance wh

ile the Peg Premium is extra direct and responsive. Each are true to dimension with the heavier (overdone) Hoka higher having extra forefoot quantity

ASICS Supeblast  (RTR Assessment)

A direct compartive to the Vomero 18,  the Superblast has a single density all supercritical FF Turbo midsole. At 8.6 oz / 243.8 g US 8.5,  the SB is a giant 1.5 oz lighter than the Nike. At 45 mm heel /  37 mm forefoot the heels are on the similar peak whereas the Superblast’s forefoot is 7mm greater. It isn’t  solely stiffer in flex however fairly a bit tougher to show over and particularly at slower sooner paces regardless of its appreciable weight benefit over the Nike. The Nike is a extra sensible max cushion each day coach and a greater worth at $50 lower than the Superblast.

Full Pegasus Premium multi tester assessment HERE. Vomero 18 Multi Tester assessment coming quickly

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