Reebok Nano X
Editor’s Conclusion
Often, cross-training shoes fall into the “jack of all trades, master of none” category. They set out to do too much, and do none of it well. The Reebok Nano X isn’t the most versatile cross-trainer out on the market, but if you want a great lifting shoe, this is the ticket. It boasts a slightly rigid frame that may not be ideal for speed, but it provides a strong foundation for the three big lifts.
What I love most about this shoe is that the durable rubber outsole and supportive upper give me more confidence in my lifts, and even gives me a slight edge. The upper is composed of light and breathable material with synthetic overlays for added support. Reebok really listened to the issues that previous users had with the overall fit of this shoe and corrected all of these problems when they rolled out the Nano X. Overall, it’s a perfect powerlifting shoe that is also able to dabble in plyometrics and snappy circuits.
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the advanced details that make the Reebok Nano X your go-to weight lifting shoe.
What I love most about this shoe is that the durable rubber outsole and supportive upper give me more confidence in my lifts, and even gives me a slight edge. The upper is composed of light and breathable material with synthetic overlays for added support. Reebok really listened to the issues that previous users had with the overall fit of this shoe and corrected all of these problems when they rolled out the Nano X. Overall, it’s a perfect powerlifting shoe that is also able to dabble in plyometrics and snappy circuits.
Below, I wanted to dive into all of the advanced details that make the Reebok Nano X your go-to weight lifting shoe.
Reebok Nano X Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Great for powerlifting
Updated and breathable upper
Flared heel collar
Compressed EVA midsole
Excellent grip
Laces offer excellent lockdown
Cons
Not ideal for running
Slightly expensive
Runs a half size large
Key Features
MIDSOLE
The midsole of this design is composed of modest compression-molded EVA foam. This means that as you wear this shoe, the foam cushioning won’t break down into a pancake over time. If you are looking for a training shoe that provides just a little bit of extra cushioning for a comfortable fit, this is a great choice. While it isn’t as soft and squishy as other gym shoes out there on the market, it provides users with just enough cushioning to reduce the impact on their joints and keep their movements light and snappy.
One of the things that I love most about this compression-molded EVA foam is that it is insanely responsive. When you are engaging in heavy lifts or lateral movements, you want something that offers good energy return. The construction of this midsole walks that fine line between plush cushioning and a stiff and responsive design that keeps your feet and joints protected while also nimble.
OUTSOLE
For me, the outsole of the Nano X is where this shoe really shines. It boasts a minimal drop that provides excellent ground feel so that you can really dig into those lifts. Personally, I prefer a powerlifting shoe that allows me to connect with all four corners of my feet to generate a good deal of power. The subtle drop in this shoe allows me to really drive up through my central chain without losing ground contact, which is essential when weight lifting.
I also love that the rubber outsole of this design is divided up into two different styles of rubber. The forefoot boasts Reebok’s MetaSplit rubber that is a little more lightweight and flexible. For the heel, they used a thicker layer of rubber for more stability and allows you to really drive up through your heels. The traction on the base of the shoe is minimal, which provides a slightly tacky grip for confident movement.
UPPER
Big changes were made in the construction of the upper. Previous versions had an odd lacing system that caused the fabric to bunch up around the toe box. Reebok listened to its users and worked to correct this problem. The lacing eyelets and the construction of the tongue allow you to really tighten these shoes to your feet for excellent lockdown with no bunching. The upper is composed of lightweight and breathable mesh materials that work to lift hot air up and away from your feet, while synthetic overlays lock your feet in place for a heightened level of stability.
I also love the construction of the heel counter on this design. It has a slightly flared and padded heel that provides a good deal of stability and lockdown. The higher profile of the heel reduces the chances of the heel slipping when engaging in quick movements or jumping in plyometrics. The thick padding helps to cradle your heel and offers additional stabilization that is super important when doing squats or clean and presses.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, this shoe is built for weightlifting. Many cross-training shoes try to be more versatile, but they end up providing little support where you need it most. As I said earlier, they dabble in a little bit of everything, but they don’t do it very well. What makes the Nano x really shine is that it is designed with powerlifters in mind. The low drop, strong and stable base, and modest cushioning really allow you to drive up through your central train to push yourself right into a new PR. If weightlifting to powerlifting is your main jam, this is a great choice.
The downside to this shoe is that it may not be great for running. While a few miles on the treadmill won’t affect the overall performance of this shoe once you hit the weight rack, those miles won’t be quality miles. Traditional running shoes are built to help even out your gait cycle and offer more cushioned features. The Nano X is designed to help powerlifters drive power up through their central chain, which doesn’t translate well on the treadmill.
FIT
Reebok also made big improvements to the overall fit of the shoe. It boasts a wide toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay inside of the shoe for more power generated, and the stretchy mesh knit upper contours easily to the shape of your foot. The improved laces also give you more room to tinker to find that ideal fit without the fabric bunching up at the base of the tongue.
Overall, this shoe runs fairly true to size. If you are a size 10 in previous Reebok’s, the same can be said for the Nano X. One thing worth noting, however, is that these shoes run just a tad large. If you find that you sit right on the cusp of your size, it may be in your best interest to size a half size down to ensure that you get the right size for your feet.
STYLE
I think that the styling of the Nano X looks sleek, sharp, and very modern. The flared heel collar is a big trend in training shoes over recent years, and the flared collar on this design is not only functional, but it looks great as well. Some training shoes go a little overboard with the flared collar that looks almost cartoonish (it’s an acquired taste), but I think that Reebok hit’s the mark with this collar.
It also comes in a wide variety of color options that are sure to please everyone. It comes in standard black and white color options, as well as truly unique designs that offer a punchy pop of color. Reebok really hit it out of the park with the styling of this shoe.
PRICE
When compared to other cross-trainers out there on the market, this shoe is slightly more expensive than most. However, since it is considered to be more of a powerlifting shoe that dabbles in cross-training, the price point is a fairly good value. When shopping for powerlifting shoes, the price tag can get pretty steep.
Plus, most dedicated powerlifting shoes can’t transition very well into speedy sets. When you break down the specs of this shoe as well as the versatility, the slightly higher price point is a really great investment.
The midsole of this design is composed of modest compression-molded EVA foam. This means that as you wear this shoe, the foam cushioning won’t break down into a pancake over time. If you are looking for a training shoe that provides just a little bit of extra cushioning for a comfortable fit, this is a great choice. While it isn’t as soft and squishy as other gym shoes out there on the market, it provides users with just enough cushioning to reduce the impact on their joints and keep their movements light and snappy.
One of the things that I love most about this compression-molded EVA foam is that it is insanely responsive. When you are engaging in heavy lifts or lateral movements, you want something that offers good energy return. The construction of this midsole walks that fine line between plush cushioning and a stiff and responsive design that keeps your feet and joints protected while also nimble.
OUTSOLE
For me, the outsole of the Nano X is where this shoe really shines. It boasts a minimal drop that provides excellent ground feel so that you can really dig into those lifts. Personally, I prefer a powerlifting shoe that allows me to connect with all four corners of my feet to generate a good deal of power. The subtle drop in this shoe allows me to really drive up through my central chain without losing ground contact, which is essential when weight lifting.
I also love that the rubber outsole of this design is divided up into two different styles of rubber. The forefoot boasts Reebok’s MetaSplit rubber that is a little more lightweight and flexible. For the heel, they used a thicker layer of rubber for more stability and allows you to really drive up through your heels. The traction on the base of the shoe is minimal, which provides a slightly tacky grip for confident movement.
UPPER
Big changes were made in the construction of the upper. Previous versions had an odd lacing system that caused the fabric to bunch up around the toe box. Reebok listened to its users and worked to correct this problem. The lacing eyelets and the construction of the tongue allow you to really tighten these shoes to your feet for excellent lockdown with no bunching. The upper is composed of lightweight and breathable mesh materials that work to lift hot air up and away from your feet, while synthetic overlays lock your feet in place for a heightened level of stability.
I also love the construction of the heel counter on this design. It has a slightly flared and padded heel that provides a good deal of stability and lockdown. The higher profile of the heel reduces the chances of the heel slipping when engaging in quick movements or jumping in plyometrics. The thick padding helps to cradle your heel and offers additional stabilization that is super important when doing squats or clean and presses.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, this shoe is built for weightlifting. Many cross-training shoes try to be more versatile, but they end up providing little support where you need it most. As I said earlier, they dabble in a little bit of everything, but they don’t do it very well. What makes the Nano x really shine is that it is designed with powerlifters in mind. The low drop, strong and stable base, and modest cushioning really allow you to drive up through your central train to push yourself right into a new PR. If weightlifting to powerlifting is your main jam, this is a great choice.
The downside to this shoe is that it may not be great for running. While a few miles on the treadmill won’t affect the overall performance of this shoe once you hit the weight rack, those miles won’t be quality miles. Traditional running shoes are built to help even out your gait cycle and offer more cushioned features. The Nano X is designed to help powerlifters drive power up through their central chain, which doesn’t translate well on the treadmill.
FIT
Reebok also made big improvements to the overall fit of the shoe. It boasts a wide toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay inside of the shoe for more power generated, and the stretchy mesh knit upper contours easily to the shape of your foot. The improved laces also give you more room to tinker to find that ideal fit without the fabric bunching up at the base of the tongue.
Overall, this shoe runs fairly true to size. If you are a size 10 in previous Reebok’s, the same can be said for the Nano X. One thing worth noting, however, is that these shoes run just a tad large. If you find that you sit right on the cusp of your size, it may be in your best interest to size a half size down to ensure that you get the right size for your feet.
STYLE
I think that the styling of the Nano X looks sleek, sharp, and very modern. The flared heel collar is a big trend in training shoes over recent years, and the flared collar on this design is not only functional, but it looks great as well. Some training shoes go a little overboard with the flared collar that looks almost cartoonish (it’s an acquired taste), but I think that Reebok hit’s the mark with this collar.
It also comes in a wide variety of color options that are sure to please everyone. It comes in standard black and white color options, as well as truly unique designs that offer a punchy pop of color. Reebok really hit it out of the park with the styling of this shoe.
PRICE
When compared to other cross-trainers out there on the market, this shoe is slightly more expensive than most. However, since it is considered to be more of a powerlifting shoe that dabbles in cross-training, the price point is a fairly good value. When shopping for powerlifting shoes, the price tag can get pretty steep.
Plus, most dedicated powerlifting shoes can’t transition very well into speedy sets. When you break down the specs of this shoe as well as the versatility, the slightly higher price point is a really great investment.
Comparisons to Previous Versions
The Reebok Nano series has been super popular with powerlifters and cross trainers since its initial release in 2011. Previous versions were a little more stiff and heavy, and only really worked on the weight rack. The Nano X1 has undergone the biggest design overall, as well as enhanced performance features as well.
The Nano X has a flared heel collar, which is super trendy right now and new to the series. While many of the technical aspects of this shoe remained unchanged from the Nano 9 to the X, Reebok changed a few details on the upper that users did not like.
On the Nano 9, the fabric along the toe box would scrunch up when users would tighten the laces. When the Nano X rolled out, Reebok tinkered with the design so that you can tighten the laces without dealing with bunched-up fabric.
The Nano X has a flared heel collar, which is super trendy right now and new to the series. While many of the technical aspects of this shoe remained unchanged from the Nano 9 to the X, Reebok changed a few details on the upper that users did not like.
On the Nano 9, the fabric along the toe box would scrunch up when users would tighten the laces. When the Nano X rolled out, Reebok tinkered with the design so that you can tighten the laces without dealing with bunched-up fabric.
Verdict
If powerlifting and weight training are what bring you to the gym, the Reebok Nano X is a must-buy. It boasts strong and supportive features that give you a slight edge when engaging in powerful lifts, and it is lightweight enough to transition to cross-training as well. Overall, I would give this shoe an A for powerlifting, a B+ for cross-training, and a C- for running. It can do most workouts fairly well, but it really shines when engaging in heavy and compound lists.
It may cost a little bit more than more cross trainers, but it is well worth it for the dedicated powerlifter!
It may cost a little bit more than more cross trainers, but it is well worth it for the dedicated powerlifter!
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