Both shoes are part of the Nike lineup of neutral trainers. They share similar design cues, technologies and intended usage. The main difference is that the Vomero is the premium of the two shoes: it features more expensive materials and executions and boasts of being “more plush”.
Let’s have a look in detail at the two shoes.
The sole unit of the two running shoes has a very similar design, with an aggressively bevelled heel that is inspired by the breaking2 running shoe.
Only the Pegasus has Zoom air units in its midsole: there is one in the forefoot and 1 in the heel. The Vomero has no air units which gives it a smoother ride.
The Pegasus uses Nike’s ReactX foam in its midsole which is firmer than the ZoomX foam used in the Vomero. The big difference between the two shoes is that the Vomero has a layer of ZoomX which is Nike’s premium, more responsive midsole foam.
The rides of the Vomero the Pegasus similar in that they both a 10 mm drop, making them more suitable to heel strikers who benefit from the extra cushioning.
The Vomero feels much softer than the Pegasus due to the ReactX and ZoomX being softer than the ReactX of the Pegasus.
The Vomero is a premium shoe and therefore its upper is more comfortable.
The Vomero has a double-layer engineered mesh upper which runs warm. The upper has a comfortable fit and a heel counter which is filled with plush foam. The heel counter has an internal heel counter which holds the heel in place to prevent heel slippage. The tongue of the Vomero is wide and generously padded and no tongue slide occurs because it’s attached to an inner sleeve. The Vomero fits true to size and is also available in a wide version.
The upper of the Pegasus is made from a light and breathable engineered sandwich mesh. It has a heel counter that flares away from the Achilles and heel lockdown is great. The Pegasus has an accommodating forefoot and midfoot so the upper feels very comfortable. The Pegasus is available in narrow, regular, wide and extra wide versions.
The Pegasus is Nike’s best seller and for a reason: it packs an incredible amount of technology and premium materials (and research!) in a reasonably priced shoe with an almost universal fit. As many people say “it’s hard to go wrong with the Pegasus” – it will fill the needs of both beginner and experienced runners looking for a daily trainer that is comfortable without being too heavy.
The Vomero though is achieving what many brands are trying to: delivering an incredibly versatile running shoe in a very durable package.
Buy the Vomero if you want a softer ride for mainly easy runs. Buy the Pegasus if you want a faster ride which is more versatile and more durable.
