A History of Nike Vomero Running Sneakers

Despite its dominance in basketball, U.S. football, baseball, and other sports, Nike is, at its core, a running company.

From Steve Prefontaine to Eliud Kipchoge, some of history's most talented runners have found solace in the Oregon-based company's footwear, breaking personal bests and setting world records along the way. Styles like the Cortez (1972) and LD-1000 (1979) paved the way, serving as some of the brand's earliest performance products post-Blue Ribbon Sports.

Today, both silhouettes are among the dozens of designs originally developed for sport that now exist as fashion staples under the Nike Sportswear umbrella, and are made available via Nike.com, as well as a wide array of retailers across the globe.

Over the last 61 years, the Nike Running team has researched and developed countless ideas rooted in co-founder Bill Bowerman's philosophy for a shoe: "It must be light, comfortable, and it’s got to go the distance."

The Nike Racing division continues to explore the legendary coach's vision, achieving breakthroughs with the MayFlay (2003), AlphaFly NEXT% (2020), StreakFly 2 (2025), and other models.

For non-racing efforts, the brand has delivered a bevy of more robust options to fit every athlete's training needs. The Air Pegasus from 1982, for example, was heavier than the track spikes with which Nike made its name in its earliest days, but offered a package that could churn out road miles while leaving legs feeling fresh. Countless other solutions were offered over the next two decades, but one such style that stood out hit the scene in 2006 with the name of Nike Vomero.

“Note”Early Nike Vomero Sketches. Photo by Aaron Cooper via Instagram.

The brief, according to the shoe's designer, Aaron Cooper, was simple: "'The most luxurious and comfortable running shoe in the industry. Fantastic ride and reliability. The BMW 7 series. Bowerman Deluxe.'"

Having made a name for himself throughout the 1990s with designs for Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley, Cooper moved on to running product in the early aughts. While living in Amsterdam, he came across an overwhelming amount of athletes from the Netherlands and surrounding countries craving premium cushioning in their running shoes.

Cooper set out to ideate and design an answer to these runners' pleas, but decided to put himself in their position in order to help him develop what was originally intended to be called the Air Nirvana. How?: By challenging himself to run 5 miles in under 30 minutes. At 6 feet 7 inches and 195 pounds, Cooper provided an optimal case-study for Nike Running's newest offering, as he sought out comfort and speed.

As the story goes, he drew inspiration from a number of elements—including layered jackets. A breathable upper was given structure and protection via a number of curved, mixed-material overlays from forefoot the heel; an improved iteration of Cushlon foam provided a smooth, responsive ride underfoot that could be put through the paces. When coupled with enclosed Zoom Air units—which built upon Air Max technology—the original Nike Vomero created the solution Cooper, European runners, and the Swoosh had been seeking.

“Note”Vomero 18 "Atmosphere/Bright Crimson." Photo via Nike.

The first Vomero was widely-lauded by runners for its ability to feel fast without sacrificing comfort.

Marketed as a "Cushioned, neutral shoe," Cooper's design debuted in a silver-and-blue color scheme that fit in with many running silhouettes of the era.

While not as lightweight as most of Bowerman's designs were, the inaugural Nike Vomero was comfortable and could go the distance. As such, the silhouette joined the burgeoning Bowerman Series, a range of running footwear meant to commemorate the late co-founder's vision.

Since 2006, the Vomero design has spawned handfuls of iterations, with the latest being the Vomero 18 road running shoe.

Visually, the current mainline offering from the storied franchise differs immensely from Cooper's 19-year-old design. Yet, a comfort-oriented, high-mileage-ready ethos lives on through the silhouette. As Nike's most cushioned marquee runner yet, the Vomero 18 is positioned to help longtime athletes tackle training with a smoothness unlocked by the ZoomX and ReactX-cushioning duo, while inspiring newcomers to begin their running journey.

Over 10 different colors of the Vomero 18 are currently available via Nike.com in Men's, Women's, and Big Kids' sizes. Prices range between $120 and $150. If you're unsure about the latest Vomero being a right fit for you, consult the Nike Running Shoe Finder to see what product works best for your needs.

Ahead, you'll find every debut Nike Vomero design, from 2006 to what's expected before the end of 2025.