Reebok CrossFit Nano 8 Flexweave Review

The full name of the Nano shoes includes CrossFit--they are CrossFit Nano shoes. So the Nano 8, like its siblings, will find its greatest use with those of us who participate in CrossFit. The midsole and outsole are a combination of stability and flexibility, so you can move quickly and comfortably while being supported by the cushioning and padding. The outsole has more of a grip surface than previous gens. This helps you stay upright, too, providing traction indoors and outdoors on tracks or playing fields.

The fabric upper is flexible and tough, thanks to the Flexweave innovation (also seen in Reebok Fast Flexweave model). Although the Flexweave is rough to the touch, it is softer and more flexible than you can imagine until you try the shoe out. There are flex grooves on the forefoot; these are narrow channels running almost the whole length of the outsole. The flex grooves are carefully placed between the regularly spaced lugs that give the outsole its grip. The result may look like an overhead view of a corn maze, but the grooves make for a flexible ride and keep your feet from feeling constricted or locked in. Reebok also put extra protection and stability into the toe areas.

The drop between toe and heel is 4 mm, helping suit it to Olympic lifts.The sole is thick, though, so the Reebok Nano 8 is not for minimalist or barefoot runners. Finally, the shoe helps you travel light, with a pair weighing just 20 ounces. We've worn boxy, blocky runners and trainers that supported us while also increasing ankle fatigue. But the Reebok Nano 8 is light enough never to do that, with all the padding and support you will need to power through most any gym workout.

The Reebok Nano 8 features rubber outsoles and midsoles, with a plastic heel cup for reinforcement and stability. The uppers, as we mentioned, are FlexWeave so they are durable and flexible. The other thing that makes the shoe so comfortable is the bootie. There is actually a separate boot part that sits inside the outer shell. It is similar to the design of Rollerblades if you have ever seen or worn a pair of those. But the bootie part does not slide out the way Rollerblade liners do. It makes for a snug but soft fit and does not compromise support in the name of comfort.

The plastic heel cup, if you took out the insole and fabric covering, would look like half an over-the-counter insert. The difference is that the permanent heel cup is deeper and does a better job supporting the bottoms of your feet. A heel cup also keeps your feet aligned with your knees, letting your toes do a better job of splaying and supporting your weight. There is no danger of your feet slipping out of the Reebok Nano 8 heel cups, or of the cups migrating, tearing through the fabric, or causing other wear problems.

Different from the heel cup, but easily confused, is the heel counter. The heel counter sits in the very back of the shoe. It is also hard plastic, and also hidden under a layer of soft stitched fabric. The heel counter further promotes alignment, supporting the backs of your feet up to the bottoms of the ankles. Sometimes, on cheaper shoes, the fabric or canvas will develop holes from your feet being in contact with it all the time. Then the heel counter (if there is one) will; be exposed, subjecting it to damage. This will not happen with the Reebok Nano 8, as the fabric is durable and is put together with quality stitching.

Like the rest of the shoe, the Reebok Nano 8 tongue is breathable and lightweight. It is padded, so it will not migrate and cause chafing or indentations on the tops of your feet. The tongue is not gusseted, so it moves independently of the uppers. The lace closure system uses standard eyelets. The eyelet holes are not lined with metal grommets, meaning they will last longer; metal grommets will tear the fabric over time. This is especially likely if you lace your shoes very tightly, as many athletes do.

The Reebok Nano 8, like all the shoes of that line, is specifically for CrossFit athletes. So it is supportive, flexible, cushioned and lightweight. The outsoles are tough, and won't lose chunks or wear prematurely even with a lot of moving from one station to the next. They can keep you on the ground, giving you a foundation during everything from a farmer's carry to kipping pull-ups. When you jump rope--and you totally will if you do CrossFit--the heel support will drive you forward on each jump. When you land, the cushioning and padding will absorb the shock of impact while setting you up for the next lift-off.

We already mentioned that the Reebok Nano 8 is not for runners. Out of all the iterations, it is the one that would cause runners the least discomfort; that is because each new gen becomes more flexible and supportive. But overall, the shoe is just too rigid and lacks enough padding for distance runs. It is suited for sprinters and for indoor cardio. This also means we don't recommend Nano 8 for team sports like basketball or soccer. Wearing them would feel great at first, but likely lead to ankle fatigue and stress injuries over the course of a match.

We also suggest staying away from the Nano 8 if you do any serious powerlifting. For recreational lifts, though, the Nano 8 will keep you from having to change into lifting shoes. The low cut on the ankle means a better range of movement during barbell squats. And the heel is close to zero drop, highly sought after by many weightlifters and bodybuilders.

Yes, lifting shoes typically have less cushioning and padding, to make sure your muscles are doing all the work and to keep you from slipping or falling. A super supportive running shoe will mush your toes into the soft padding as soon as you place a bar across your shoulders. The Reebok Nano 8 is padded, comfy, soft, and snug, but it won't let your toes sink and so we're sure you can get away with wearing it for lighter, less intense standing barbell lifts.

And, of course, you can wear the Nano 8 for indoor cardio, body weight circuits, and most group fitness classes. Our point is that, while it is primarily a CrossFit shoe, you don't need to limit it to that or think that you have to be a CrossFitter in order to buy the shoe. It will be helpful and beneficial for all athletes because we all cross-train (or should be if we aren't).

The Reebok Nano 8 is a wise investment for anyone who needs a general-purpose cross-training shoe. CrossFit competitors will appreciate its stability, softness, and tough outer shell. The shoe can keep you nimble and light on your feet, helping prevent both fatigue and injury. The low cut of the ankle makes the shoe ideal for squats, plyo box jumps, rope jumping, and even step aerobics. The Flexweave technology, too, prevents all sorts of damage including friction burns from rope climbs. Perhaps best of all, you can usually find the Reebok Nano 8 at a discount. It has been upgraded and supplanted by the Reebok Nano 9.