Nike Metcon 7 Vs Reebok Nano X2 | Which Shoe Is Best for You?

The Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2 are two of the newer and more popular cross-training shoes from Nike and Reebok. Both shoes are designed to tackle things like lifting, CrossFit, HIIT workouts, and everything in-between.

As a fan of both the Nike Metcon and Reebok Nano cross-training shoe lines, I wanted to know which model is best for certain activities. In this Nike Metcon 7 versus Reebok Nano X2 showdown, I’m going to put these two training shoes head to head in a variety of contexts to help you decide which model is best for you.

Nike Metcon 7 Vs Reebok Nano X2 Performance

To discuss the performance of the Reebok Nano X2 versus the Nike Metcon 7, I’m going to break down how each shoe performs in different training contexts.

Whether you want the Nike Metcon 7 or Reebok Nano X2 for lifting, CrossFit, or HIIT workouts, hopefully, this section can help you make the right call.

Nike Metcon 7 Vs Reebok Nano X2 for CrossFit and Lifting

The Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2 provide different performances in the context of CrossFit and lifting. For lifting, the Nike Metcon 7 offers a bit more stability due to its midsole, outsole, and Hyperlift construction.

This model was stable under 405 lb squats and 515 lb deadlifts. I think most recreational lifters, especially those with narrow and neutral feet, they’ll like the stability and performance of the Nike Metcon 7.

The Reebok Nano X2 offers a similar amount of stability to the Nano X1, as the midsole and outsole are fairly consistent. The stack height in the Nano X2 is actually a little higher, but it doesn’t necessarily compromise the level of stability you get in this shoe.

For deadlifts up to 505 lbs and squats around 405 lbs, the Reebok Nano X2 performed pretty well. It’s not going to be my go-to for heaviest barbell sessions, but for lifts where I’m not going crazy heavy, their stability is solid across the board.

For CrossFit, I think the Nike Metcon 7 takes the edge here and that’s for two key reasons. First, this model features construction features more dialed in for the specific demands of CrossFit.

Second, I like the forefoot mobility with the Nike React Foam and the heel stability with the Hyperlift Insert. This shoe feels athletic and it offers a nice blend of stability and versatility.

The Nano X2 is also a good shoe for CrossFit and it will work for most CrossFit sessions, but it does lack some of the features that many came to love in the Reebok Nano X and earlier models.

That being said though, the Nano X2 is sneaky good for CrossFit workouts that include short runs and a lot of plyometrics. The Floatride Energy Foam midsole helps this shoe excel in this CrossFit-focused context.

Winner: For lifting, both models work, but the Metcon 7 offers a tad more stability. In CrossFit workouts, the Metcon 7 has better durability, but the Nano X2 performs stronger for short runs and plyometrics.

Nike Metcon 7 Vs Reebok Nano X2 for HIIT, Plyometrics, and Versatile Training

Both athletic-focused and versatile training, I think the Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2 both perform well but for slightly different reasons. I like the Nike Metcon 7 for shorter HIIT sessions and athletic-focused training.

This model has a nice athletic fit and offers a good amount of midfoot support for anyone with higher arches. The Nike Reach Foam provides a nice bounce with the forefoot, however, the heel can get a little uncomfortable in some training contexts.

If there’s an area where the Reebok Nano X2 excels, it’s for versatile training. This model’s Floatride Energy Foam midsole walks a good line between giving you enough responsiveness without being overly squishy which can take away from ground feedback.

The wider construction with the reworked midfoot is also a nice addition for giving the Nano X2 a more “locked-down” feeling when tackling lateral work. In the Metcon 7, the heel can feel a little blocky for this training context.

Winner: Reebok Nano X2.

Nike Metcon 7 Vs Reebok Nano X2 for Running, Walking, and Standing

In the context of running, I think there is a clear winner between the Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2. For short runs that range from 1 to 3 miles, the Reebok Nano X2 is a good cross-training shoe to look into.

This model provides enough responsiveness to make them fairly comfortable for short runs and they work well for indoor and outdoor runs. The Nike Metcon 7 will work for running, but I’d suggest capping your distance to about one mile or less in them as they can get fairly uncomfortable.

On a daily wear basis where you’re walking and standing a lot, I also prefer the Reebok Nano X2 for three reasons. First, it has a wider construction so your foot doesn’t feel cramped which can happen in the Nike Metcon 7 when wearing them all day.

Second, I like the heel clip and how it assists with offering more midfoot support for long periods of standing. Third and lastly, the Nano X2 looks good and it’s comfortable so it’s easy to wear casually and on long walks.

Winner: Reebok Nano X2

Nike Metcon 7 Vs Reebok Nano X2 Construction

To break down the construction of the Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2, I’m going to discuss individual areas on each shoe. This will help make this section easier to read and call out specifics with each model.

Outsole

The outsole construction of the Reebok Nano X2 is consistent with what the Nano X1 offered. This model features a full rubber outsole with a traditional lug pattern and extended toe wrap.

In the Nike Metcon 7, the outsole is constructed with rubber and features a herringbone-like tread on the forefoot and heel, and also has an extended wrap over the toe box.

The midfoot has a different outsole material to accommodate the medial and lateral outsole wraps and the heel has a cutout where you can see the built-in Hyperlift Insert.

Both outsoles grip different surfaces well, but you do get a little more traction with the Nano X2’s outsole which could be useful for anyone training outdoors or on turf.

Midsole

The Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2 feature midsoles that offer proprietary materials that Reebok and Nike both use in training shoes. In the Nike Metcon 7, the midsole is built with Nike React Foam, which provides a nice blend of stability and versatility.

The heel in this model also has a built-in Nike Hyperlift that’s designed to increase this shoe’s stability and this feature sits below the Nike React foam in the heel.

In the Reebok Nano X2, the midsole is built with Reebok’s Floatride Energy Foam. This midsole is similar to what the Reebok Nano X1 offered and it provides a nice level of versatility compared to previous Reebok Nanos that ran more stable.

I think the Nike Metcon 7’s midsole is a tad more stable while the Reebok Nano X2’s midsole offers a bit more “bounce” and is more enjoyable to wear for running and HIIT sessions.

Upper

I like the upper construction in both models and think Nike and Reebok both did a fairly good job with each shoe’s upper. In the Nike Metcon 7, you have a chain-link mesh upper that features multiple overlays for additional durability.

The toe box, heel, and midfoot all have additional materials for abrasion resistance to protect the mesh upper. The medial midfoot features a rubber overlay for additional rope climbing support.

In the Reebok Nano X2, the toe box and midfoot both feature a Flexweave Knit while the heel features a Flexweave Woven Textile build with additional midfoot overlayers.

The medial and lateral side of the Nano X2 also features a reworked heel clip that is fairly rigid in construction. This is a nice feature for both durability and additional midfoot support.

Laces and Tongue

Personally, I like the lacing system and tongue used in both of these models for the most part. The Nike Metcon 7 features five eyelets, and the lateral three features Nike Flywire.

The Metcon 7’s tongue features a velcro tool for locking down the laces. This feature is a little hit or miss and some love using it while others, myself included, never really mess with it. In theory, it’s cool, but it seems a little excessive.

The Reebok Nano X2’s tongue is a lot better compared to the Nano X1’s tongue construction. The Nano X2’s tongue offers a fairly padded construction and sits lower on the midfoot.

This model features six eyelets with a seventh eyelet for lace-locking and this midfoot construction locks down the foot pretty well. I like the security you get with the Nano X2’s lacing system.

Insole

The Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2 both feature thin removable foam insoles. If you have custom orthotics and inserts and they run fairly slim, then you should be okay using them in either model.

Conversely, if you have thicker custom inserts and orthotics, then the Reebok Nano X2 will definitely be the better call. This shoe has a deeper construction and offers more upper volume to accommodate thicker orthotics.

Weight and Heel-to-Toe Drop

The weight varies slightly in each shoe and both models utilize a different heel-to-toe drop. For my size 10 models, the Nike Metcon 7 has a weight of 12.4 oz while the Reebok Nano X2 has a weight of 11.90 oz.

• Nike Metcon 7 Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
• Reebok Nano X2 Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm

I actually like both heel-to-toe drops on these models. Personally, I don’t think many will feel a difference between the drop of these shoes, however, if you do have a preference, then you can easily identify which model aligns best with your wants.

Nike Metcon 7 Vs Reebok Nano X2 Sizing

When discussing the sizing differences between the Reebok Nano X2 and the Nike Metcon 7, you can expect that both shoes will have a different fit and feel to them.

I think both shoes will fit true to size for most, however, there are certain populations that will have to size their Nano X2 and Metcon 7 differently. That being said, the Nike Metcon 7 fits true, but it does have a slightly narrower last construction and a low-profile design.

If you have a wider or flatter foot, then you may want to size up a half size in this model or explore cross-training shoe options that fit your foot anatomy better.

Conversely, the Reebok Nano X2 has a fairly wide last with a slightly wider boot. I think comparatively speaking, the Reebok Nano X2 is the better option for lifters with wide and flat feet and they should be true to size in this context and for those with neutral feet widths. Conversely, if you have a notably narrow foot, then you may want to size down a half size in the Nano X2.

• Nike Metcon 7 Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size. If you have a notably wide foot, then size up a half size.
• Reebok Nano X2 Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size. If you have a notably narrow foot, then size down a half size.

If you have additional sizing and fit questions on the Reebok Nano X2 and Nike Metcon 7, drop a comment below and I can try to help you out accordingly.

Nike Metcon 7 Vs Reebok Nano X2 Durability

Across the board, the Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2 have a fairly good amount of durability to them and construction features to prolong the lifespan of each shoe. However, this does not mean the shoes are bulletproof by any means.

For example, I like the chain-link upper in the Nike Metcon 7 and the rubber overlay/extended outsole wrap that cover the midfoot. Both of these features help with abrasion resistance and normal breakdown that you can experience during CrossFit workouts when tackling rope climbs and burpees.

The downfall of the Nike Metcon 7’s durability, especially from a long-term point of view, is its exposed midsole construction on the forefoot. This feature helps with the shoe’s mobility and it’s a non-issue in the gym, but if you plan to use your Metcon 7’s for outdoor sessions, then you may run into some durability issues with this aspect.

In the Reebok Nano X2, the Flexweave Knit and woven textile upper help to prolong this shoe’s durability from abrasion and I like the extended heel clip on the medial and lateral midfoot for prolonging this shoe’s structure.

The one area that I could see being problematic for the Nano X2’s durability long-term is the forefoot midsole which is similar to the Metcon 7. The Nano X2 doesn’t have a wrap and I could see it showing signs of compression/creasing with frequent heavy training and potentially breaking down if you use this shoe for a lot of outdoor training.

Since the Reebok Nano X2 is such a new shoe on the market and we only have a limited data pool, I’m going to continue to test and update this section accordingly based on how the Reebok Nano X2’s durability holds up long-term.

Price Breakdown

Over the last few years, the price of Reebok Nano and Nike Metcon shoes has been fairly consistent. However, this year the Reebok Nano X2 has received a small price increase of $5 USD.

For the Nike Metcon 7, you can expect to pay $130 USD for most colorways, and for the Reebok Nano X2, you can expect to pay $135 USD. I’m curious if the price increase in the Nano X2 is due to materials costing more and the supply chain issues many companies have run into over the last year or so.

It’s also going to be interesting to see if there’s a price increase for the Nike Metcon 8 since both models have run fairly consistent with their pricing over the last years.

Takeaway Thoughts

The Nike Metcon 7 and Reebok Nano X2 are both good cross-training shoes in their own right. The Nike Metcon 7 has features that are a bit more specific for CrossFit, while the Reebok Nano X2 delivers a strong performance for versatile training.

I think the big takeaway here is understanding how you train and want your shoe to fit, then cross-referencing that with the countless differences between the Metcon 7 and Nano X2.

If you have additional questions on these two cross-training shoes and which to go with, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).