A Brief History: Is the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 the Next Big Thing?
Big sneaker brands love to reference their archive and resurrect older models through a lifestyle lens. Nike especially have a penchant for self-referential releases, looking to their back catalogue for inspiration and breathing new life into once-defunct silhouettes. This is welcomed among sneakerheads, especially when it means they can rediscover models they never knew existed – or re-up old pairs they’ve loved dearly.
A slew of silhouettes are experiencing a resurgence in 2022, but none have made an impression like the Zoom Vomero 5.
The Nike Zoom Vomero+ 5 was released in 2011 as a simplistic but reliable runner known for its unrivalled comfort. As the fifth edition of the Zoom Vomero franchise, the midfoot area was redesigned and boasts Zoom Air cushioning in both the forefoot and the heel. This silhouette is compatible with Nike+ technology, which links to your iPod and is able to track steps and other health-related data – hence the ‘+’ in the original name. The specially designed women’s and men’s versions were an instant hit among runners, although the design faded into obscurity when some alternatives hit the market.
In 2018, after sitting idle in the archive for almost a decade, Nike’s Zoom Vomero 5 circled back into the sneakersphere. Samuel Ross’ A-COLD-WALL* label chose the silhouette as the canvas for their Swoosh colab, adding a large protruding block to its heel. Due to the zany build, the colab received mixed responses upon initial reveal, but fashion-forward experimentalists quickly snapped up pairs on drop day. Samuel Ross continued to champion his Vomero 5 design and brought the silhouette into the crosshairs of the modern-day zeitgeist.
More limited colourways from their collaboration landed in 2019, and so did a few viral moments that saw fans remove the gargantuan rear block. It was clear the people were after GRs.
By mid-2019, Team Swoosh answered everyone’s prayers when a swathe of colourful GR iterations landed on shelves. Even Drake busted out his own personal pair, kitted out in a blacked-out build with orange accents and other specialised touches. With the initial General Release allocations selling out, Nike discontinued the runner. The years following saw sneakerheads subtly longing for the Vomero 5. Resale prices steadily ascended following the phase-out, but as for new releases? It was radio silence from Team Swoosh.
After an unofficial two-year hiatus, the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 returned! September 2022 kicked off the lifestyle-geared resurgence with an ‘Oatmeal’ colourway. Muted autumnal tones seemed to be the theme for the first few, with all of them featuring new ‘Bowerman Series’ insole branding, a nod to Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman.
Now, it looks like there’ll be a massive retail push coming for the Nike Zoom Vomero 5, as new colourways sporadically hit shelves at retailers around the globe (the cyclical trend cycle has also undoubtedly bolstered the Vomero’s appeal). The latest colourway was equipped with Chromed-out Swooshes, hinting that Nike is moving towards throwback 2010-esque colourways. The reception from fans has also been unparalleled, with every new iteration being snapped up quickly!
Is the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 the next big sneaker?
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