Nike Vomero Roam

Vomero Roam

Nike’s Vomero running shoe series has been around since 2006, but its fifth edition was the one that really captivated the sneaker community, particularly after it was used by luxury fashion brand A-COLD-WALL* in a unique 2018 collaboration. This precipitated several retro releases, and in 2024, brought about the brand new Nike Zoom Vomero Roam.

Built to withstand tough weather conditions, the Zoom Vomero Roam is far bulkier than the original Vomero 5. Its foundation is a powerful sole unit featuring a sturdy outsole made from a type of rubber called High Abrasion Rubber Tech or HART. Despite using less material than traditional outsoles, and therefore being more lightweight and flexible, HART is just as strong as traditional rubber, making it ideal for walking on rough, abrasive surfaces. On the Roam model, this rubber has been moulded into a Waffle tread pattern through the centre of the foot, with large grip pads around the edge for reliable, boot-like traction. Atop this rugged outsole is a supportive midsole that combines soft Cushlon foam with responsive Zoom Air cushioning for maximum comfort. Larger in size than the original, it has been elevated to provide better clearance from the floor, thus lifting the top of the shoe away from mud and groundwater.

Extending up from this bulky sole unit is a striking rubberised mudguard that wraps around the entire foot, delivering even more protection from splashes of dirt. Additional reinforcement has been placed on the toe, and the mudguard rises up as it moves towards the heel. Here, the classic triangular grid of the classic model can be found, only this time with the ventilation holes filled in. In fact, this is a theme of the Nike Zoom Vomero Roam; being made for winter weather, all of the breathable elements of the original have been closed up to keep the foot dry.

Above the mudguard, the upper is made from hard-wearing materials like Ripstop nylon, durable suede and water-resistant leather, all arranged into the familiar layers of the Vomero running shoe. Just like on the heel, the openings in the sidewalls have been filled in to ensure all-round weatherproofing, while the traditional lacing has been replaced with a convenient toggle fastening system that can easily be pulled tight and secured using a hook-shaped clip.

The thermal inner lining helps to maintain a warm temperature inside the shoe, and the vibrant blue insole sports a large swoosh. More branding effects show up on the pull tabs emerging from the tongue and heel, the former displaying bold Vomero text, the latter a small woven swoosh. Both the heel tab and the laces incorporate reflective elements that illuminate the foot in low-light conditions.

Robust and hard-wearing but with the eye-catching style of the popular sneaker it is based on, the Nike Zoom Vomero Roam is a mighty piece of footwear whose long list of utilitarian features makes it the ideal shoe for walking through rugged streets in wintery conditions.