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The Nike Metcon versus Reebok Nano cross-training shoe showdown has been going on for years. Nike and Reebok have changed and updated their Metcon and Nano models pretty drastically over the years.
If you’re looking for cross-training shoes for tough workouts, then you’ve probably considered the Nike Metcon 8 versus Reebok Nano X2. These models both perform pretty differently, so understanding their differences can be key.
For example, the Nike Metcon 8 is a strong training shoe for lifting and CrossFit. Conversely, the Reebok Nano X2 does well for a little bit of everything but has a pretty big flaw for CrossFit, and I’ll discuss all of this below.
Reebok Nano X2 Vs Nike Metcon 8 Performance
Nike Metcon 8 Vs Reebok Nano X2 for CrossFit and Lifting
In the context of lifting, the Reebok Nano X2 and Nike Metcon 8 will be good shoes for most athletes. They both deliver a good amount of stability for heavier lifts, and for recreational lifting, I like both of these shoes.
The Reebok Nano X2’s Floatride Energy foam midsole did a good job at accommodating deadlifts up to 515 lbs and squats around 405 lbs. I also like the grip you get with this shoe’s outsole. The rubber tread does a good job gripping different surfaces.
The wider toe box is also a perk with the Reebok Nano X2. I don’t think most lifters will have issues with toe splay in this model. The lateral and medial TPU clips are also nice for adding a bit of structure to the shoe in different lifting settings.
The Nike Metcon 8’s Nike React foam midsole and Hyperlift heel insert did a good job supporting deadlifts up to 555 lbs, Hatfield squats up to 500 lbs, and back squats up to 405 lbs. In all of these lifts, I never had an issue with stability or felt “unstable”.
The rubber outsole and tread on the Metcon 8 also do a good job gripping different surfaces and machines. The reworked upper in the Metcon 8 also gives you a secure and locked-down feeling. I like the “athletic-style” fit you get with the Metcon 8 when lifting.
In the context of lifting, these models are pretty neck-and-neck. However, I do like the Metcon 8 a little bit more because I’m partial to its fit for my foot’s anatomy. If you want more upper volume and width, then you can’t go wrong with the Nano X2.
For CrossFit and unlike lifting, the performance of the Reebok Nano X2 and Nike Metcon 8 is pretty different, and I think there’s a clear winner in this context. While the Reebok Nano X2 works for CrossFit, it has a shortcoming with durability.
Similar to the Reebok Nano X1, the Nano X2 suffers from the midfoot sole durability issue that plagued the Nano X1 for rope climbs. The sole of the Nano X2 has a bad tendency of starting to peel off and lip with excessive rope climbing stress when J-wrap climbing.
Honestly, the RopePro feature on the Nano X2 is rather misleading due to this. Outside of this issue, the Nano X2 does a pretty good job for CrossFit, and I don’t want to write this model off entirely for this context.
However, if you decide to invest in the Reebok Nano X2 specifically for CrossFit, please note it has its limitations, and it’s not the perfect CrossFit shoe on the market by any means. I see it more as a beginner-friendly CrossFit shoe where rope climbing isn’t a huge priority.
In CrossFit workouts, the Nike Metcon 8 has the edge among these two shoes. The midfoot wrap does a great job supporting rope climbs, and it’s rare to have midfoot durability issues with both the Nike Metcon 7 and Metcon 8 in this training context.
The Nike React foam in the forefoot with the flex grooves also gives the Metcon 8 a nice level of maneuverability when doing double-unders and box jumps. It has a much less stiff feeling compared to the Nike Metcon 6, which could be good or bad depending on your preferences.
My main gripe and the Achille’s heel of the Nike Metcon 8, and Metcon 7 for that matter, is the heel construction. The heel construction in the Metcon 8 feels clunky and makes this shoe pretty brutal to wear for WODs with runs programmed over 400-meters.
Winner: Both shoes can be good options for lifting. You get a little more stability out of the Nike Metcon 8, and they have a more athletic fit. The Reebok Nano X2 has more width, so for wide and flat feet, go Nano X2.
For CrossFit, the Nike Metcon 8 outperforms the Reebok Nano X2 and has better long-term durability. The Nano X2 is an okay option if you limit how much rope climbing stress you’re putting into this model’s sole.
Nike Metcon 8
$130
3.9
Stability
4.5
Versatility
3.7
Durability
Quality
4.0
Best For
- Cross-Training
- CrossFit and CrossFit-Style Workouts
- Lifting
Falls Short
- For Wide Feet
- For Running
Nike Metcon 8 Vs Reebok Nano X2 for HIIT, Plyometrics, and Agility
For versatile training, the Nike Metcon 8 and Reebok Nano X2 are both solid shoes, but I do think one of these shoes has the edge over the other. Both shoes feature midsole constructions that give them a nice blend of stability and responsiveness.
The Nike React foam gives you a bit more cushion to work with in the forefoot compared to the Reebok Floatride Energy foam. However, the heel in the Nano X2 is much more forgiving than the Metfcon 8’s Hyperlift insert heel.
This construction detail can be pretty big because the Reebok Nano X2 is a much more forgiving shoe than the Metcon 8 for longer versatile sessions where you’re doing more running and jumping.
I like the Nike Metcon 8 for versatile training where you’ll be primarily on the forefoot, whereas the Nano X2 tends to do well in most versatile training contexts.
Additionally, I also like the breathability of the Reebok Nano X2’s upper. The Nike Metcon 8’s upper feels more durable than the Metcon 7’s chainlink mesh upper, but I find it to run a little hot in warm settings, which could be something to consider for some.
The fit differences between the Metcon 8 and Nano X2 can also play a large role in which model is best forversatile training. The Reebok Nano X2 has more width throughout, while the Nike Metcon 8 has more arch and a more “athletic” fit.
For this training context, I’m going to give the edge to the Reebok Nano X2, and that’s solely due to the heel construction. It’s an easier model to wear in different training settings.
Note, I personally like the fit of the Metcon 8 a bit better as it resonates with my anatomy, but the blocky heel can be a big turnoff for me. It works for some versatile training, but it’s pretty “meh” at that. I’m hopeful Nike reworks this feature for the Metcon 9.
Winner: Reebok Nano X2 can be a better option for versatile training including things like classes, HIIT workouts, and athletic-style training. The Metcon 8 can work, but the heel can be pretty annoying for some training contexts.
Reebok Nano X2
4.4
Stability
4.5
Versatility
4.6
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Athletic-Focused Training
- Casual CrossFit Sessions
- Shorter Runs
Falls Short
- For Cost-Efficiency
Nike Metcon 8 Vs Reebok Nano X2 for Running, Walking, and Daily Wear
The Reebok Nano X2 and Nike Metcon 8 have some stark performance differences when it comes to running, walking, and daily wear. For running, the Reebok Nano X2 takes the win for overall performance.
The Nano X2 can be worn for cardio classes and short runs (1-3 miles). In these contexts, they’re relatively comfortable and perform pretty well. The Nano X2 is a decent option for anyone wanting a cross-training shoe for lifting and runs that are shorter in nature.
The Nike Metcon 8 can technically work for sprints and runs around 400-meters in length, but after this, I find them to be pretty uncomfortable. If you do plan to run in your Metcon 8, I’d suggest being adamant about adopting a forefoot strike.
For anyone with a midfoot or heel strike or heavier set athletes, you’ll likely find the Metcon 8 really uncomfortable due to the heel. I’ve had athletes in the TF2 community say they’ll take off their Metcons during WODs and put on different shoes for this reason.
For walking and daily wear, I also think the Reebok Nano X2 is your better bet. Its width and sole construction make it an easier option to wear all day, whereas the Metcon 8’s width and heel can give this shoe a pretty uncomfortable ride for all-day wear.
Winner: Reebok Nano X2. I want to like the Nike Metcon 8 in these contexts, but its running performance is sub-par, and it’s a shoe you’ll likely want to reserve solely for training, whereas the Nano X2 can also be a daily driver.
Nike Metcon 8
Pros: Stable, Versatile
Cons: Blocky Heel
Size/Fit: True to Size/Neutral Width
Offset: 4mm
Lifting Threshold: ~555 lbs
Mileage Threshold: <1 Mile
Price: $130
TF2 Rating: 4.2
Reebok Nano X2
Pros: Versatile, Midfoot Support
Cons: Sole Durability
Size/Fit: Runs Large for Most/Wider Width
Offset: 7mm
Lifting Threshold: ~500 lbs
Mileage Threshold: <3 miles
Price: $
TF2 Rating: 4.4
Reebok Nano X2 Vs Nike Metcon 8 Construction
To break down the construction differences between the Reebok Nano X2 and Nike Metcon 8, I’m going to truncate this section into individual construction areas on each shoe.
This way, it’s easier to consume and read for you, and it will be easier to identify the key construction differences between the Nano X2 and Metcon 8.
Midsole
The midsoles in both of these models are somewhat the star players for these shoes regarding the stability and versatility you get from them. Nike and Reebok both utilize proprietary foams to build the Nano X2 and Metcon 8’s midsole.
In the Reebok Nano X2, the midsole is composed of Reebok’s Floatride Energy Foam. This material has a good level of responsiveness, but it biases being a bit more stable throughout the forefoot and heel.
The Nike Mecon 8 features Nike React foam throughout the midsole. The forefoot in this model has a bit more cushion and responsiveness compared to the forefoot in the Nano X2.
However, the midfoot and heel in the Metcon 8 have more stability due to the Hyperlift insert and midfoot outsole wraps. This gives the Metcon 8 a bias towards responsiveness in the forefoot and stability in the heel.
Outsole
The Metcon 8 and Nano X2 both feature full rubber outsoles, but the tread between the models is built a little differently. The Nano X2 features a full rubber outsole with a lug tread patterning.
The Metcon 8’s outsole has a grooved texture with flex grooves in the forefoot. The midfoot on the Metcon 8 has a different tread for the rope wraps, while the heel has a cut-out where you can see the Hyperlift. Both outsoles do a pretty good job at providing traction on different surfaces.
Upper
The upper construction between these two models varies pretty drastically. In the Reebok Nano X2, the main component of the upper is Reebok’s Flexweave Knit material. This material stretches and breaks in pretty well, and there’s a fair amount of volume in the Nano X2’s upper.
The midfoot features a lateral and medial TPU clip, while the heel is built with a slightly more rigid material and cup. The lateral and medial clips give this shoe’s upper a little more structure.
In the Metcon 8, you have a mesh upper built with synthetic and textured overlays. The upper in this model is textured slightly differently on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe.
This material has a lower profile build, and it doesn’t have as much stretch as the Nano X2’s upper and Metcon 7’s chainlink mesh upper. Overall, both shoes do a fairly good job with durability.
Laces and Tongue
The lacing system and tongue also vary pretty greatly between the Nano X2 and Metcon 8. The Nike Metcon 8 has its lacing system reworked and it now features a traditional lacing system with five core eyelets.
The tongue has a gusset construction and is built with a slightly thicker mesh. There’s also a lace lock mechanism at the top of the tongue to promote lace security when training. The lace lock also serves as the core tongue loop.
The Reebok Nano X2’s tongue is a thinner mesh tongue, and it doesn’t feature a gusset. In the Nano X2, you also have an internal loop lacing system and there are six core eyelets in this shoe with a seventh for lace-locking.
The Metcon 8 and Nano X2 lacing systems both provide an adequate amount of security. My only gripe between these two model’s and their lacing systems is that the Metcon 8’s shoe laces run fairly short.
Insole
The Nike Metcon 8 and Reebok Nano X2 both have removable foam insoles. The insoles in these models are pretty comparable, and the Reebok Nano X2’s insole has a slightly more “slippery” feel (not in a bad way, per se) to it when breaking them in.
If you have custom inserts or orthotics, you’ll probably want to go with the Reebok Nano X2. This shoe’s upper volume does a better job of accommodating different insoles.
Weight and Heel-to-Toe Drop
The weight and heel-to-toe drop vary pretty greatly between the Reebok Nano X2 and Nike Metcon 8. In fact, both of these features drive a fair amount of lifters and athletes to one shoe over the other.
- Nike Metcon 8 Weight and Heel-to-Toe Drop: 12.35 oz (for my size 10 model), 4mm heel-to-toe drop.
- Reebok Nano X2 Weight and Heel-to-toe Drop: 11.90 oz (for my size 10 model), 7mm heel-to-toe drop.
Reebok Nano X2 Vs Nike Metcon 8 Sizing
There’s a pretty large sizing discrepancy between the Nike Metcon 8 and Reebok Nano X2. In fact, the sizing difference between the Reebok Nano and Nike Metcon is one of the many core reasons why some athletes love one model over the other.
In the Nike Metcon 8, most athletes and lifters should be safe sizing this model true to size. This shoe will resonate best with athletes who have narrow and neutral width feet. If you have wide feet, you may want to size up a half size or pass on this model.
Typically, I’m not the biggest fan of recommending athletes to size up in the Nike Metcon cross-training shoes. The reason being is that their heel has a low-profile construction, so heel slip can occur at times when sizing up in these shoes.
In the Reebok Nano X2, the sizing can be a little all over the place. If you have narrow and neutral-width feet and you like a snugger fit, then you’ll want to size down a half size. For neutral-width feet that like more room in the toe box and for wide feet, go true to size.
- Nike Metcon 8 Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size. Wide feet, size up a half size, or pass on this shoe.
- Reebok Nano X2 Sizing Thoughts: Narrow feet size down a half size. Neutral-width and wide feet go true to size.
Another two sizing differences to note with the Nike Metcon 8 and Reebok Nano X2 are the upper volume and arch support in both shoes. In the Nike Metcon 8, the upper has a lower profile which could be problematic for those with custom orthotics and inserts.
You’ll have more upper volume in the Reebok Nano X2 if that’s a concern for you. The Metcon 8 also has more arch support, whereas the Nano X2 typically fits better for those with flatter feet that only want a subtle level of arch support.
I personally like that there’s a nice contrast in sizing between the Nike Metcon 8 and Reebok Nano X2. I think it makes it a little easier to select the cross-training shoe that will fit your anatomy needs best.
If you have additional questions on the sizing and fit of the Nike Metcon 8 and Reebok Nano X2, drop a comment below. Also, if you reference what you’re wearing now, I can be more precise with my sizing recommendations.
Reebok Nano X2 Vs Nike Metcon 8 Durability
From a general durability standpoint, the Nike Metcon 8 versus the Reebok Nano X2 is pretty comparable. The durability differences set in as you get more niche and serious with your training.
For example, I discussed this above, but the Reebok Nano X2’s sole durability is a pretty big issue for rope climbs. This is a feature that has continual issues for those that use the Nano X2 for CrossFit workouts.
Outside of this context, the Reebok Nano X2 tends to be pretty durable. The upper rarely has issues with ripping, and the outsole construction tends to last a while for general training without lipping.
Since the Nike Metcon 8 is still so new to the market, it’s tough to say where this model will fall short regarding durability. In the Nike Metcon 7, the upper around the toe box could be an issue for some.
Some lifters and athletes have had issues with the chainlink mesh ripping from the sole in the Metcon 7. In the Metcon 8, Nike has appeared to fix this, and the mesh upper with synthetic overlays seems to be more durable from a first impressions point of view.
Another area that was problematic in the Metcon 7 was the midsole and outsole at the base of the forefoot. If you’re training outside on concrete often, the exposed midsole foam on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe can sometimes show signs of breakdown.
If you love working out outside, then this could be something to consider with the Nike Metcon 8 because it has the same midsole and outsole construction as the Metcon 7.
Price Comparison
When it comes to the price for both of these shoes, you can expect to pay $135 USD for the Reebok Nano X2 and $130 USD for the Nike Metcon 8. Until this year, these models were always equal in price, but Reebok recently increased the Nano’s price point by $5 USD.
I feel as though both of these shoes are worth their price points if you go into them knowing their best uses and limitations. For example, the Nike Metcon 8 is a strong performer for lifting, and CrossFit for its price.
The Reebok Nano X2 can be a good cross-training shoe for a little bit of everything, and it tends to work well for those with wider feet.
Conversely, the price points for these shoes can also be a miss. For example, the Nike Metcon 8 will not be your best bet for versatile training and running, and the Nano X2 will fall short for serious CrossFit.
Takeaway Thoughts
The Reebok Nano X2 and Nike Metcon 8 are both good cross-training shoes in their own right. Both of these shoes come with their own list of pros and cons and have areas where they excel and fall short in the gym.
For lifting and CrossFit, the Nike Metcon 8 is a strong shoe. It has a nice level of stability, and its durability tends to be solid for CrossFit contexts.
For versatile training, some running, and daily wear, then it’s tough to fault the Reebok Nano X2. This model has a good width to it and delivers a more comfortable ride for all-day wear.
If you have additional questions about the Reebok Nano X2 versus the Nike Metcon 8, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
