Nike Vomero Plus vs the Max Cushion Crowd: How It Stacks Up

Introduction

Max cushioned trainers have quietly become one of the most crowded categories in running, and the Nike Vomero Plus sits right in the middle of it. It is full of cushion, plenty comfortable, and arguably a touch conservative in its design. But stacked against the Puma MagMax, the ASICS Super Blast 2 and the Brooks Glycerin Max, three shoes with similar stack heights and specs, the picture gets more interesting. Add the cheaper Vomero 18 into the mix and you have five options that look alike on paper but feel very different underfoot.

How the Numbers Compare

Tested in a UK size 11, the Vomero Plus comes in as the cheapest shoe of the group and the second lightest behind the Super Blast 2, though there is over an ounce between those two in favor of the ASICS. All of these shoes measure around 46 to 48mm in the heel for this size, with roughly 40mm in the forefoot, so the differences are more about feel than raw numbers.

One thing worth flagging early: the Nike rubber on the outsole shows early wear in the heel and forefoot, while both Puma Grip and Brooks outsoles held up considerably better. If durability matters to you, that is a real consideration.

Puma MagMax: The Wide-Base Alternative

The first thing you notice about the MagMax is the forefoot width. It is one of the widest shoes around, with a near torpedo-shaped toe box, while the Vomero Plus tapers noticeably on the lateral and medial sides of the toe box. If toe box room is a priority, the MagMax is the better bet.

The MagMax is slightly heavier but feels more stable underfoot thanks to the wider base and greater surface area. The Puma’s Nitro foam is less bouncy than the Nike’s ZoomX, which feels softer and more forgiving, giving the Vomero Plus the more versatile ride. The MagMax locks into easy to recovery pace, whereas the Nike has a little more range. If forced to pick one pair, the Vomero Plus wins here, and it is cheaper too.

ASICS Super Blast 2: The Versatile Pick

The Super Blast 2 is not as bouncy or as soft as the Vomero Plus, but the forgiving foam makes it genuinely fun, and it is lighter and more nimble on foot. It is easier to up the pace in, shifting through the gears with more ease than the bulkier Nike.

The upper is thinner and less padded, the tongue is not as plush, and breathability is noticeably better, which showed in recent warm weather. There is a good 40 gram difference in favor of the ASICS shoe, and it makes it a more capable runner that ticks more boxes in a rotation: long runs, faster intervals, and just about any pace in between.

This comes down to intended use. If you want a plush cruiser for easy miles and do not plan on fast efforts, the Vomero Plus works, at around 155 in the UK versus just under 200 for the Super Blast 2. If you need one shoe for long runs plus faster days, the ASICS is the better pick. Heavier built runners needing maximum impact protection may still favor the Nike.

Brooks Glycerin Max: Stability and Impact Protection

The Glycerin Max is more stable than the Nike, with a denser midsole feel and no pronounced heel bevel. Lean back in the Vomero Plus and you almost fall off the back of it, an odd sensation the Brooks avoids entirely. The upper is more traditional, with wider laces that cinch down easily for a good lockdown, and it is about 20 grams heavier for the tested size.

The DNA tuned midsole pairs a soft outer shell with an even softer interior, but it lacks the return of the ZoomX in the Vomero Plus. It is firmly an easy to recovery pace shoe, with even less range than the Vomero Plus. Where it wins is outsole durability, with very little wear despite far more use, and considerable impact protection that heavier runners will appreciate.

If all-day comfort is the goal, the Glycerin Max could be ideal. But for easy pace running specifically, the Vomero Plus is the more nimble pick and the one most people would keep.

Vomero 18 vs Vomero Plus: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

If you are weighing whether to spend the extra 20 pounds between the Vomero 18 and the Plus, the answer is simple: yes. The Plus is by far the better shoe. The midsole ride is noticeably better, while the 18 feels bulky and clunky, as if it slows you down. The Plus shifts through the gears more readily and is far more comfortable, with a less built-up upper and none of the unnecessary suede detailing.

The React X midsole in the 18 does not do the shoe any favors. The extra 20 pounds is money well spent.

Nike Vomero Plus: Who Should Buy It

The Vomero Plus is the cheapest of the group and a genuinely plush cruiser with a bouncy, forgiving ZoomX midsole and a more pronounced heel bevel. It suits easy and recovery paced running, longer efforts where impact protection matters, and runners who want a softer, more forgiving ride than the Puma or Brooks provide. It is not the shoe for fast sessions, and the outsole rubber is the weakest link, showing early wear where rivals barely scuff.

Buying Advice

Choose the Puma MagMax if you want maximum toe box room and a stable, wide platform. Choose the Super Blast 2 if you want one versatile shoe for everything from long runs to faster intervals, and do not mind paying more. Choose the Glycerin Max for stability, all-day comfort and durable rubber, especially if you are a heavier runner. Skip the Vomero 18 unless the price gap is decisive, and pick the Vomero Plus if you want the cheapest, bounciest easy-day cruiser of the group.

Conclusion

The Vomero Plus is less innovative than it is comfortable, but in this company that is enough. It loses to the Super Blast 2 on versatility and to the Puma and Brooks on outsole durability, yet its bouncy ZoomX ride and lower price make it the most appealing easy-pace option here. Match the shoe to how you actually run, and each of these has a clear reason to exist.