During this time breaking the shoe in I could feel the differences and changes that had been made in the upgrade. Most noticeably, the heel collar. The Nike Metcon still has that slim Nike Metcon feel with the low-profile design, so it’s not the best model for the wider footed individual who could experience heel slip. Compared to other popular CrossFit shoes, such as the NoBull Trainers and Nike Metcons, the Reebok Nano X1s have much more cushioning. In my experience, the Nanos also have more forefoot flexibility and a toe box better suited to most people.The Nano X1s are constructed with the same Floatride Energy Foam that Reebok uses in running and HIIT shoes, while NoBulls and Metcons tend to feel much more flat. There are pros and cons to both types of shoes for use during CrossFit workouts.

In fact, it’s insane just how cushioned the Nano X1 Vegan’s are when you consider how good they are for lifting. Some criticism has been levelled at the Nano X1’s by hardcore lifters for not offering the same support as previous generations of the shoe. And while it’s true that I would never attempt a squat PB wearing the Nano X1 Vegan shoes - and you probably wouldn’t want to go higher than around 85% of your 1 rep max in them - I’d argue that you should be wearing specific lifting shoes for that intensity of training anyway. The Reebok vector logo is subdued, and the main shoe feature standout is the plastic TPU heel clip which visually I’m not a fan of, although you may be.Another aspect to like about this model is how lightweight and maneuverable this cross-trainer is. Compared to the Reebok Nano X and Reebok Nano 9, the Reebok Nano X1 offers a lighter construction overall. The upper mesh breathes well and is maneuverable. Until now. “Wow, the Nano X1s are some of the most comfortable shoes I think I have ever been in,” Kate says. “They are great for literally any activity I do: running, jumping, squatting, walking the dog, coaching. I have not had one problem with these whatsoever.”

My first pair of Metcon 5s felt too tight in the toes – especially after a long day – when your feet swell. This is in pretty big contrast compared to the Reebok Nano X1 which has a consistent Floatride Energy Foam midsole throughout. On the heel, the Reebok Nano X1 does compress a tad more than the Metcon 7, but the difference is pretty minimal. It won’t be my go to training shoe, but I’ll keep it in mind for home workouts, over a session in the gym. On the forefoot and heel, you can see the Floatride Energy Foam midsole through the rubber tread, and typically, I’d be worried about breakdown with this construction aspect, but the Nano X1s have had little to no issues yet. In regard to outsoles, my favorite Reebok Nano X1 model is the Nano X1 Adventure because its outsole is even more durable.

Like I said, sometimes the best shoe is one that’s designed purposefully for the activity you’re doing. Amanda says the X1s are fine for running short distances during workouts, but she wouldn’t like to run more than a mile in them on any given day. Wearing the Reebok Nano X1s for Walking and Everyday Activities All of the X1 designs and colorways look like classic Reebok shoes, with a lot of the lines, contouring and curvature you can expect. They look super sporty. Reebok Nano X1 vs. Other CrossFit Shoes

The Nike Metcon 7’s reworked midsole with Nike React Foam gives this shoe an interesting blend of responsiveness and stability. The forefoot in this model is fairly easy to compress while the heel with the Hyperlift insert is much more stable. Factor in the mid-foot lateral and medial wraps and this model provides a variety of performance feelings. Quite frankly, the Nike shoe is probably tougher overall than the Nano X1. But that’s why it’s significantly heavier too. The Nano X1s are designed to withstand a ton of high-impact use. The upper is a blend of woven textile with a reinforced rubber outsole. The outsole is all rubber and pretty grippy, which provides great tread and traction for whatever you’re doing, whether that’s squatting or climbing a rope. Despite the Reebok Nano X1 being very different than previous Reebok Nanos I still found plenty of things to like about it. When breaking these models in, the Reebok Nano X1 feels a bit more rigid and will take a couple of tough sessions to fully break-in. The Nike Metcon 7s break in relatively fast in the first couple of workouts. Upper ConstructionThis is where the tough outsole wraps up around the sides of the shoe at the midfoot. Why? For grip when climbing ropes – and to protect the upper from friction.