Nike Zoom Vomero 5

Shiny details highlight this Nike Zoom Vomero 5, lending it an eye-catching look, while its various comfort-giving properties make the experience of wearing it highly satisfying. Underfoot, its waffle outsole is covered in a shade of dark grey known as Gridiron, with Sail filling in the cracks that form additional grip lines across the forefoot, as well as the larger indentations under the centre of the heel and the arch of the foot. One of the Gridiron pieces on the lateral side of the heel has BRS 1000 text etched into it, the protective material bolstering some of the outsole’s most used areas to make it that much more durable.

Bouncy Cushlon foam and springy Zoom Air cushioning then make up the midsole, which is mostly Sail in tone but also has a strip of Gridiron material along its upper lateral side, the words “Nike Zoom” pressed into its surface. The upper, meanwhile, pulls together a range of materials to deliver compelling variations in texture from heel to toe. Its base layer is formed of a Photon Dust mesh whose broad netting can be seen on the forefoot and around the top of the collar, keeping both areas well-ventilated. A piece of Photon Dust leather caps the toe, and glossy strips of Chrome leather reach back over the forefoot mesh to disappear beneath the eyestay, which is also made of this gleaming metallic leather.

On the flanks, sturdy ribbed structures act as a breathable but defensive barrier over the midfoot as they move upwards from the midsole to the edge of the tongue. These come in the same tone of Photon Dust as seen throughout the rest of the design, as do the overlays curving along their sides, though these have a second, slightly different shade of grey, which adds a little extra contrast to each one. Beaming out over both of these robust side panels is a shimmering metallic silver swoosh with a Photon Dust outline framing it.

Further back, below the mesh underlayer around the collar, lies a belt of pale grey leather that wraps around the heel. A black swoosh has been stamped into its centre, with darker bands of grey stretching away from it down each side. Under this, a moulded heel counter appears in yet more gentle grey tones. Cutting across its surface are diagonal ridges that create triangular formations. As well as bringing extra support to the back of the foot, some of these triangles have been opened up as a way of letting in more air and cooling the heel.

Over the top of the foot, the creamy tone of Sail coats both the laces and the mesh of the tongue, which has a piece of textile running up its centre, forming lace loops as it goes. While its edges are Photon Dust, its middle portion features a reflective material that shines when lit up in the darkness. At its peak, the tongue hosts a two-tone label of Sail and Gridiron, the two colours alternating to delineate the words “Nike” and “Vomero 5” upon its surface. Inside the shoe, the softly padded lining is Sail, and the Gridiron hue of the insole allows the intriguing motif printed upon it in lighter tones to stand out. It consists of a circle with a picture of Nike’s co-founder, Bill Bowerman, in the centre, and a banner containing Bowerman Series text, the honorary logo completing this versatile lifestyle sneaker in style.