Step 02 — The lineup
6 shoes scored across eleven metrics · Any purpose
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Nike Vomero 18 GTX — Nike Vomero 18 GTX: 46 mm heel stack, 10 mm drop, 306 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Sizing note
Everything here fits true to size. Leave a thumbnail of space at the toe.
Durability
Expect roughly 458 miles before the midsole flattens out.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | Asics Novablast | Asics Novablast 5(2025) | Asics Gel-Cumulus 27(2025) | Saucony Axon 4 | Asics GT-2000 14 | Saucony Ride 18(2025) | Mizuno Wave Inspire 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 265 g / 9.3 oz | 255 g / 9.0 oz | 264 g / 9.3 oz | 265 g / 9.3 oz | 272 g / 9.6 oz | 255 g / 9.0 oz | 285 g / 10.1 oz |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 38 mm | 41 mm | 39 mm | 35 mm | 37 mm | 37 mm | 38 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Plate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Intended pace | 7:00–10:00 /mi | 7:00–10:00 /mi | 8:00–11:00 /mi | 8:30–11:30 /mi | 8:30–11:30 /mi | 8:00–11:00 /mi | 8:30–11:30 /mi |
| Purpose | Daily, Long run, Tempo | Daily, Long run, Tempo | Daily, Long run, Recovery | Daily, Long run | Daily, Long run | Daily, Long run | Daily, Long run |
| Sizing | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size |
| Durability | ~400 mi | ~400 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~500 mi | ~450 mi | ~500 mi |
| Price | $125 | $145 | $140 | $110 | $145 | $140 | $150 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5.