Four New Running Shoes, Judged: Vomero Plus, Infinity Elite 2, SC Elite 5 and Nova Blast 5 Trail

Introduction

Four new or soon-to-release running shoes, four quick verdicts. This roundup covers the Nike Vomero Plus, the Under Armour Infinity Elite 2, the New Balance SC Elite 5 and the ASICS Nova Blast 5 Trail, looking at what each offers on paper and whether it justifies a purchase. None of these calls are final, since a shoe only really reveals itself on foot, but stack heights, weights and prices already say a lot about who each model is for.

Nike Vomero Plus: Full ZoomX, Full Price?

The Vomero Plus appears to be full ZoomX underfoot, with no additional foams layered in, and it looks set to eventually retire the Invincible Run from Nike’s lineup. It makes sense not to keep two full ZoomX trainers in the range, though the Invincible Run was already a well-liked shoe with plenty of stack, and its main flaw was the upper on the V3, not the platform itself.

A full rubber outsole makes sense here, since ZoomX is a fragile foam that needs protection from sharp objects. The upper looks remarkably similar to the Invincible 3, with a more Vomero-style fit elsewhere. There are no official stack numbers yet, but if the Vomero 18 sits at 46 mm in the heel, the Plus could push towards 50 mm.

That extra height is worth pausing on. Very high-stack shoes have caused knee trouble on long runs for some runners, and a shoe pushing 50 mm may simply be too much. At $180 it is a serious investment, and the ZoomX is described as tuned for maximum cushion, which hints the formula may have shifted a little. Call it a partial yay: full ZoomX is appealing and it could be a great long-run slogger, but the price and the possible stack give real reason for hesitation.

Under Armour Infinity Elite 2: Max Cushion at a Sensible Price

The Infinity Elite 2 brings a new Hover Plus midsole that looks a lot like other premium performance foams on the market, with roughly 36 mm of stack in the sample size and generous rubber coverage on the outsole. The forefoot and heel offer a wide surface area, and the drop sits at a middle-of-the-road 8 mm, a figure that suits a very soft, compressive foam, since extremely plush midsoles can almost feel like a lower drop under a heel strike.

The interesting part is the price. At a $140 retail, and with discounts already dipping well below that, this starts to look like a genuine value play in a category full of overpriced options that offer less shoe for more money. It fits the easy, recovery-effort niche, a space every brand now fills, but few fill it at this price. That combination earns a clear yay and a spot on the buy list.

New Balance SC Elite 5: Lighter, Sharper, Pricier

New Balance is following the industry trend of shaving every possible gram off its carbon plate racer. The SC Elite 5 carries the classic racer hallmarks: a 40 mm stack with a more aggressive 8 mm drop than the V4, standard eyelets with a straightforward lacing system, and a more padded heel than most. Sample size weight comes in at just 205 g, down from 237 g in the V4, and an ounce saved in a racing shoe is a meaningful amount.

The catch is fit and price. New Balance lasts have historically run tight in one size and generous in the next, which makes dialing in the right fit genuinely difficult, and the price is reported at around £260. Given cheaper carbon plate options from Puma and Adidas that fit better, the SC Elite 5 stays a nay on this list, even though the shoe has clear appeal for anyone who already gets on with New Balance’s fit and values its solid durability record.

ASICS Nova Blast 5 Trail: A Casual Trail Companion

The Nova Blast 5 Trail keeps the standard version’s formula: 275 g in the sample size, FF Blast Max foam in the midsole and an AHAR low outsole. The main changes are in the upper and outsole, with better grip for mixed terrain and what appears to be a new tongue construction, possibly a bootie-like build, addressing the tongue slide that affected the standard Nova Blast 5. The colorway is inspired by tropical landscapes like driftwood, rocks and seashells.

This is not a typical trail shoe in looks or intent. It reads as a beefed-up Nova Blast 5, aimed more at casual trail users who want one shoe to handle most things without going full specialist. The standard Nova Blast 5 was already a strong shoe with much better grip than the V4, so for fans of that model looking for a summer adventure shoe, this is probably a great move. For anyone who does not need another pair of the same, the subtle changes are not a big deal, which makes it a nay here.

Overall Buying Advice

If one shoe stands out on value, it is the Under Armour Infinity Elite 2, which offers serious cushioning at a price that undercuts most of its rivals. The Vomero Plus is worth watching if you love full ZoomX and want maximum cushion, but wait on confirmed stack numbers and fit impressions before committing at $180. The SC Elite 5 is a compelling racer on paper, especially with the weight cut, but try it on first if New Balance sizing has ever been tricky for you. The Nova Blast 5 Trail is best treated as a familiar friend with slightly better grip, not a new shoe category.

Conclusion

Two yays, two nays, and plenty to think about. The Infinity Elite 2 earns its buy on price-to-performance, the Vomero Plus stays on the fence pending real stack details, the SC Elite 5 remains a great racer for those who fit New Balance well, and the Nova Blast 5 Trail is a niche upgrade for existing fans. On-foot reviews will tell the full story, but the paper verdicts are now on the table.