Experience Anti-Gravity?! The Groundbreaking Innovation of the Nike Vomero Premium

Nike's Vomero series is renowned for providing runners with top-tier cushioning. This spring saw the release of the iconic NIKE VOMERO 18, followed this summer by the NIKE VOMERO PLUS, a model engineered for even greater energy return.

The latest addition we're diving into is the new NIKE VOMERO PREMIUM, a model inspired by anti-gravity treadmills.

The goal with this shoe was to help athletes run farther while minimizing physical strain. So, what kind of cutting-edge technology is packed into the Vomero Premium to deliver this anti-gravity sensation to athletes?

A Shoe Inspired by Anti-Gravity Treadmills

"The Vomero Premium offers the best shock absorption and energy return in the entire Vomero series. Of course, athlete feedback was a huge part of this shoe's development. Elite runners are always looking for ways to increase the quality and quantity of their training to meet their goals.

One tool they use to improve training quality and volume is the anti-gravity treadmill. It works by adjusting air pressure to reduce the load of your body weight. The Vomero Premium was developed with the aim of recreating a similar effect," explains Ryo Ota, a Nike EKIN (an expert who shares the technology, innovation, and stories behind Nike products).

Anti-gravity treadmills are used in rehabilitation and by runners who want to log more miles while reducing fatigue and the strain on their lower-body joints and muscles. But what does it mean to build that same effect into a shoe?

"First, we needed to soften the landing impact even more. At the same time, we aimed to achieve both superior shock absorption and a high energy return, allowing runners to propel forward with less effort."

A 55 mm Heel! The Nike Vomero Premium Is a True Maximalist

The Vomero Premium boasts a stack height of 55 mm in the heel and 45 mm in the forefoot. To put that in perspective, the series' iconic Nike Vomero 18 has a 46 mm heel and 36 mm forefoot, while Nike's long-running bestseller, the NIKE PEGASUS 41, measures 37 mm in the heel and 27 mm in the forefoot. It’s clear the Vomero Premium is in a class of its own when it comes to a maximalist design.

The midsole features the lightweight and highly responsive ZoomX foam, the same kind used in Nike's top-tier racing models. Plus, Nike's signature cushioning technology, the Air Zoom unit, is strategically placed in both the forefoot and heel.

So, what is an Air Zoom unit? It's a high-pressure airbag packed with tightly stretched, tensile fibers. When your foot hits the ground, these fibers compress to absorb the shock. Then, they instantly snap back to their original shape, creating a powerful energy return.

"To get the most out of the Air Zoom units, we had to increase their range of motion. That’s why we opted for a visible design with more exposed surface area, rather than embedding them. We even left a bit of space in front of and behind the Air Zoom units—another design choice to boost their mobility. The result is that the Air Zoom units can compress fully, returning a massive amount of power as they expand.

Additionally, we adopted a split Air Zoom unit design, similar to what you'd find in the Nike Maxfly 2 and Nike Victory 2 track spikes. This prevents air from shifting unevenly on impact, ensuring a high energy return throughout every phase of your stride."

Top Athletes Use It in Their Training

This June, Faith Kipyegon challenged Breaking4 (a project aiming to be the first woman to break the 4-minute mile). By July, she had broken her own women's 1500m world record (3:48.68), and in September, she claimed gold at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, achieving her third consecutive world title in the women's 1500m. She has been a devoted user of the "Vomero Premium" since her training for Breaking4.

"The Vomero Premium is a vital part of my training. It’s so soft, cushioned, and comfortable that it reduces strain, helps me recover faster from even the toughest workouts, and lets me stay focused on my goals." (Faith Kipyegon)

Yuka Suzuki, who placed 6th in the women's marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics and set a personal best (2:21:33) at this January's Osaka International Women's Marathon, also uses the "Vomero Premium" in her training.

"The Vomero Premium has a gentle hold and feels incredibly comfortable. The Air Zoom units in the heel and forefoot are so bouncy that you get the feeling of running lightly without having to forcefully kick off the ground. What's more, the soft cushioning makes for an enjoyable run, making this shoe a perfect fit for jogs and recovery days." (Yuka Suzuki)

Running in the "Vomero Premium" is a completely new sensation, unlike any other shoe out there. Although I've never used one and can't compare it to an anti-gravity treadmill, the shoe provides a sense of buoyancy—almost like you're running slightly elevated from the ground.

You barely feel the hardness of the asphalt. You feel the responsiveness, but without the harsh rigidity or sharpness you'd find in a plated shoe. It also feels incredibly stable, likely thanks to its wide base and high-grip outsole. You could say there’s no other shoe quite like it right now—it delivers a genuinely new kind of ride.