Reebok Nano 2 Review (2023 Edition) | Tried and True Classic?

Who Should Buy the Reebok Nano 2?

The Reebok Nano 2 will be best for lifters and athletes who are fans of the older Reebok Nano shoes. Since this model has been re-released I feel like if you enjoyed this shoe in the past, then it would be worth grabbing a pair.

To elaborate there because I’m typically not a fan of using urgency in my review content, I’m not sure how long the Nano 2 will be back for and if Reebok plans to restock sizes once they sell out.

Performance-wise, if you’re wanting a shoe primarily for CrossFit and heavy strength work, then the Reebok Nano 2 can be a really great option to explore. This shoe’s EVA foam midsole is plenty stable for lifts well over 400 lbs.

For CrossFit, this model’s overall durability is pretty good. The DuraGrip toe wrap helps prolong the toe box from breaking and the textile overlays also do a good job with abrasion resistance.

I also think this shoe is a good option for athletes and lifters with wider feet. This model “feels” wider than the Reebok Nano X3 which is great for those that need more width in their trainers.

Who Shoulnd’t Buy the Reebok Nano 2?

While the Reebok Nano 2 is a strong training shoe, there are a few contexts where I think you’ll want to pass on the Reebok Nano 2. For starters, if you want a plusher training shoe, you’ll want to pass on this model.

If you’re not super focused on CrossFit and heavy lifting and your training is mostly focused on versatile training, you may want to explore shoes that will have midsoles that are a little responsive and forgiving for running, jumping, and HIIT.

Another context in which you might want to pass on these is if you have an exceptionally narrow foot and you’re prone to liking shoes that feel a little more sock-like regarding their upper security.

Reebok Nano 2 Pros

Over the course of my training and testing process with the Reebok Nano 2, I found multiple pros to like about this shoe. Some of these pros I had from my prior Nano 2s and some were new.

1. Stable Midsole for Heavy Training
2. Good Overall Durability and Width
3. Great for Delivering a Nice Dose of Nostalgia

The first thing to like about the Reebok Nano 2 is its low-profile EVA foam midsole. If you like shoes that have lower stack heights and a bit more stability, then you’ll resonate really well with the Reebok Nano 2.

The Nano 2 should provide a nice level of stability for heavy squats, deadlifts, and Olympic lifts. Plus, if you enjoyed the 4mm heel-to-toe drops used on past Nano iterations (Nano X>), you’ll also click right away with this shoe.

I also find that this denser midsole gives you a little more ground feedback as there’s not as much material separating the foot from the floor. For jumping and explosive work, I also found that I got a lot more “feel” in this model.

Another aspect to like about the Reebok Nano 2 is its overall durability. The DuraGrip material over the toe box and textile overlays around the midfoot provide good abrasion resistance.

The outsole also does a fairly good job regarding long-term durability. There is a little exposed foam in the forefoot, but if you’re not regularly training on concrete, then this should be a non-issue.

In addition to this shoe’s durability, the width of this model is also a nice plus. This shoe’s toe box is a lot less tapered than the current Nano X3, and the upper volume is also pretty spacious.

My last pro with this shoe — and this one will be highly individual — is that I found the Nano 2 to bring back a nice nostalgic feeling. When I did my first set in these shoes I was taken back to a time in life when things seemed simpler (we can unpack that in a different article).

If you love older Nano models, then I think you’ll love putting these on and taking them through tough lifts and WODs. After wearing the last three year’s Nanos, I forgot how much I like the low-profile dense midsole on older models.

Reebok Nano 2 Cons

When it comes to performance and durability, I don’t have too many cons with the Reebok Nano 2. However, there are a couple of things to note about this shoe before investing.

1. Non-Gussetted Tongue Can Be Annoying
2. Width May Be Too Much for Some
3. Stabler Shoe That Won’t Be Super Plush

The first drawback that I have with the Reebok Nano 2, and this is a knock I have on some of the other older Nano models, is that tongue security can be an issue with this shoe.

This shoe’s tongue is not gusseted and the singular tongue loop doesn’t do the best job of providing security. If you’re doing a lot of lateral work, then I wouldn’t be surprised if you find your tongue sliding a bit, especially if you don’t fill this shoe regarding volume.

Sure, it’s not the biggest deal and it won’t impact most when training, but it’s a small design detail that I think could be easily tweaked to eliminate any tongue slide whatsoever.

Another knock that some lifters with narrow feet might have with the Reebok Nano 2 is the toe box may feel a little too spacious. If you have narrow feet and a low-volume foot, then this is something you’ll want to consider.

While I welcome the wider toe box, it would be shortsighted to not recognize where this shoe’s width may fall short. For example, if you typically resonate with older Reebok models like the Speed TR then you’ll likely not “love” the fit of this shoe.

The final drawback to note with the Reebok Nano 2 is that it’s going to have a stable fit and ride to it. If you’re someone who’s grown accustomed to and really enjoys training in the Reebok Nano X1, X2, and X3, then you’ll want to consider this.

This model’s EVA foam midsole is a little more low-profile and it’s going to feel more rigid for activities like jumping and running. I was quickly reminded how stable this shoe runs when tackling 400-meter runs in an athletic workout I programmed the other day.

These will not be your best training shoes for hybrid workouts. If you like plusher training shoes and don’t plan to go super heavy with your workouts, then you may want to look into shoes that will be a little more poised for activities like HIIT.

Reebok Nano 2 Performance

To break down the performance of the Reebok Nano 2, I’ll discuss my experiences training in them across different verticals. I’ll cover their performance for lifting, CrossFit, versatile training, short runs, and daily wear.

This way if you also like to vary your training on a weekly basis you can cross-reference how these shoes will perform based on your asks.

My Experience Testing the Reebok Nano 2 for Lifting and CrossFit

When it comes to lifting, I’ve found the Reebok Nano 2 to be a nice change-up to some of the modern-day cross-training shoes. For lifting, these shoes deliver a really good level of stability with their dense EVA foam midsole.

I liked how this shoe felt for heavy deadlifts, leg presses, and lower body exercises. In addition to its stability, I found the outsole to provide a nice level of traction on different surfaces and I never felt like I was going to slip when lifting.

Another perk of this shoe for lifting is its forefoot width. If you like having ample room for splaying the toes and find that most training shoes run a little too snug for you, then this Nano iteration can be an excellent option to explore.

For my CrossFit workouts, I thought the Nano 2 did a good job for all of the tasks that I threw at them. I like how this shoe has limited toe spring for WODs that have more kettlebell work programmed.

I also like the breathability and flexibility of this while not compromising overall durability. My old Nano 2s last a while, so I’m pretty confident these new 2s will also last a while for most athletes.

My Experience Testing the Reebok Nano 2 for Versatile Workouts

For versatile workouts, I’ve enjoyed the Reebok Nano 2. I think if you’re similar to me and like lower profile shoes for plyometrics and athletic-style training sessions, you’ll like Nano 2.

Their midsole almost reminds me of the EVA foam midsole that was used in the Reebok Speed TR. For jumping, I thought this shoe provided me with a nice level of ground feedback, and I liked the stability I got from their sole.

For multi-directional exercises and turf-focused sessions, the rubber outsole does a good job of giving you good traction. The flexibility of this shoe’s sole is also a perk for this training context as it gives this model an athletic feel on the foot.

I think if you’re like me and you regularly blend explosive work with heavier lifters, then you’ll enjoy the versatility that you get from the Nano 2. To be honest, this shoe has made me really miss the older Nano and Speed TR models for versatile training.

My Experience Testing the Reebok Nano 2 for Running and Daily Wear

When it comes to running, the Reebok Nano 2 can work for short runs programmed in WODs and for sprints. For example, I didn’t mind how these felt for fast-paced 400-meter runs because I’m a forefoot striker with this running style.

For long-distance runs, I would pass on these shoes as their midsole is a little denser and if you adopt a heel strike when running slower, then I think you’ll find this shoe to be pretty uncomfortable. These will not be your best shoes for running and lifting workouts.

For daily wear, I’d pass on these shoes for two reasons. First, I don’t think they’re the most comfortable to wear all day, especially for long walks since the EVA foam midsole is a little more stable.

Second, whether these are a limited release or not, you’ll get more out of these shoes and their lifespan if you avoid wearing them out and about casually.

Reebok Nano 2 Sizing

For the Reebok Nano 2, I think some lifters will be safe going true to size, while others may want to size up in this shoe. This shoe’s length runs fairly true and its width is on the wider end.

I traditionally wear size 10 shoes in all of my reviews and in this model, I have just about a centimeter of length at the end of my toe box. There’s also ample width in the forefoot of this shoe for me, and note, I have medium-wide foot width.

That said, for wider feet and for those that enjoy a little more space at the end of their toe box you might want to go up half-size in this shoe. Conversely, notably narrow feet may want to consider sizing down a half-size.

• Reebok Nano 2 Sizing Thoughts: True to size for most with some exceptions.

If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Reebok Nano 2 and how they compare to other shoes, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally.

Price Breakdown

For the Reebok Nano 2, you can expect to pay $120 USD. This price point is similar to what the older Nano models cost, and honestly, I miss these slightly lower price points.

In the context of lifting and CrossFit, I find this price to be fair for the Reebok Nano 2. Plus, these shoes tend to last a while for tough training which justifies their price further.

Compared to the newer Reebok Nanos that cost $140 USD, I’m happy that Reebok kept the price of this model consistent with what it cost when it first launched and rolled out.

I think if you’re wanting a really strong shoe for a slightly lower price, then these can be a good option. They’ll outperform most budget training shoes that cost $100 USD or less, and you can typically find Reebok sales to help knock their price down.

Construction Details

Below are the main construction details to note about the Reebok Nano 2. This shoe’s build is rather simplistic in nature and has less “tech” compared to newer Nano models.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
• Weight:
• Removable Insole: No
• EVA Foam Midsole
• Rubber Outsole
• Mesh and Textile Upper
• DuraGrip Toe Box Wrap
• ROPEPRO Midfoot Wrap
• 6 Core Eyelets With a 7th for Lace-Lock

If you have additional construction-related questions about the Reebok Nano 2, drop a comment below.

Takeaway Thoughts

The Reebok Nano 2 brings back a nostalgic feeling and has been a breath of fresh air. To be honest, I forgot how much I liked the earlier Reebok Nano cross-training shoes.

With this model back on the market, it has made me question why Reebok doesn’t offer older models more regularly and why there need to be major updates every year.

If something works well, for example, do we really need to continually change it? I wish Reebok would leave a small inventory of older models like this each year.

If you have additional questions about the Reebok Nano 2, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).