Reebok Nano X2 Froning Review | Are They Worth the Price?

The Reebok Nano X2 Froning is the latest Rich Froning-inspired Nano to debut from Reebok. After Rich Froning announced his retirement from competitive CrossFit this year, the community has been excited about the Nano X2 Froning’s debut.

As someone who enjoyed the main Nano X2 model and its versatile performance, I was excited to put the Reebok Nano X2 Froning to the test. With spin-off models like the Nano X2 Froning, sometimes their performance can be surprising.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed the Reebok Nano X2 Froning’s performance and I think they could be good training shoes for some. However, this model, like the Nano X2 suffers from a durability flaw which I’ll discuss below.

Who Should Invest In the Reebok Nano X2 Froning?

The Reebok Nano X2 Froning will be a good cross-training shoe for the athlete and lifter most interested in a shoe for versatile training. This model delivers consistent performance with the Reebok Nano X2, but with a few subtle construction tweaks.

With spin-off models like the Reebok Nano X2 Froning, I think they’ll work best with those that really resonate with Rich Froning and enjoy grabbing his Reebok gear. Plus, if you collect the Nano Froning models, then I think you’ll enjoy this iteration.

This shoe works well for recreational lifting, and versatile training, and can be a viable option for CrossFit — as long as you don’t rope climb in them. I also like the upper construction in this model as it does breathe a little better than the original Nano X2.

That being said, if you only have the means for one shoe for a little bit of everything, I think you could find a stronger cross-training shoe for $150 USD or models that will perform similarly for a lower price point.

Reebok Nano X2 Froning Pros

Across the course of my testing and training in the Reebok Nano X2 Froning, I found a few pros and things to like with this shoe.

1. Good and Consistent Model for Versatile Training
2. Open-Mesh Upper Has Reebok Speed TR Vibes
3. Nice Looking Shoes With Limited Frills

The first pro that comes along with the Reebok Nano X2 Froning is that it delivers pretty consistent performance with the performance of the Reebok Nano X2. If you’re someone buying this model due to your enjoyment of the Nano X2, I think you’ll appreciate this.

I like the Reebok Nano X2 Froning’s performance for my general strength sessions where I’m hitting moderate weights and accessories, and they do a pretty good job in most cross-training sessions.

The Reebok Floatride Energy Foam midsole provides a nice blend of stability and responsiveness in this shoe and its rubber outsole does a good job at providing tread in different training contexts and settings.

The second aspect to like about the Reebok Nano X2 Froning is its open-mesh upper construction. Note, this construction detail comes with both pros and cons, and I’ll discuss the cons in-depth below in my cons and performance sections below.

The pros of the open-mesh upper construction are this shoe’s breathability, how it helps this model save on weight, and how it feels somewhat similar to the Reebok Speed TR. If you’re a fan of lightweight and breathable shoes, you should enjoy this upper.

The final thing to like about the Reebok Nano X2 Froning is this shoe’s appearance. Compared to prior Nano Froning iterations, I think this is one of the better-looking pairs to date.

It has a relatively clean appearance and the colorways for this shoe all look relatively good. If you’re investing in this shoe for the novelty factor, I could see this being a big perk of this.

Reebok Nano X2 Froning Cons

Overall, the Reebok Nano X2 Froning performed pretty well, but there are a few cons to note about this shoe before investing in them.

1. Same Rope Climbing Issue As Nano X2
2. Upper Security May Be Lacking for Some
3. Higher Price Point That Comparable Models

The first drawback that I have with the Reebok Nano X2 Froning is that it suffers from the same rope climbing outsole issue that has plagued the Reebok Nano X2 and Reebok Nano X1.

Despite having the Reebok ROPEPRO+ feature, this shoe’s durability doesn’t do the best when j-wrap rope climbing. I noticed pretty immediately that my outsole had started to peel off the midsole on one of my shoes after just one climbing session.

To be honest, I hope Reebok fixes this in the Reebok Nano X3, or simply removes the ROPEPRO+ feature as it’s a little misleading, in my opinion. If a shoe has a construction detail to promote a specific type of performance, then it shouldn’t break easily.

The second drawback that I could see others having with the Reebok Nano X2 Froning is its upper security. This shoe has a pretty lightweight and mobile boot, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing for performance.

However, if you’re someone who likes having more rigid boot constructions in your training shoes, then I could see this being an issue. Plus, this feature limits how loose you can wear this model which is a knock on its performance for casual wear.

I noticed that if I didn’t tighten the laces in this shoe I would experience a little heel slip and this isn’t ideal since I like being able to have a variable level of tightness in trainers based on what I’m doing in them. If you’re similar, consider this.

Additionally, lateral security lacks in this shoe through the forefoot and I was getting a little foot hangover when I was working through lateral plyometrics like skater strides.

The last drawback that I have with the Reebok Nano X2 Froning is that the price point will likely be a turnoff for some. This shoe isn’t inherently that different from the Reebok Nano X2 which costs $15 USD less.

Plus, if you compare this model to other $140-150 USD shoes like the RAD ONE, STR/KE MVMNT Haze Trainer, and TYR CXT-1 Trainer, I’m not convinced its performance and durability edge out these models, so you may be better off with this models.

If you’re not necessarily getting this shoe for the Froning novelty, I think its price point is pretty high for what it offers. To be honest, I’m having trouble seeing why this model should be $15 more than the traditional Nano X2.

Performance

To break down the performance of the Reebok Nano X2 Froning, I’ll cover how this shoe performs in multiple training contexts. I’ll discuss their performance for lifting, CrossFit, versatile training, short runs, and daily wear.

Since this shoe is higher priced and very similar to the Reebok Nano X2, I want to cover the breadth of this shoe’s performance to ensure it matches your wants and needs.

Testing the Reebok Nano X2 Froning for Lifting and CrossFit

For the context of lifting, the Reebok Nano X2 Froning does a pretty good job. I think for general strength sessions, the Nano X2 Froning should provide enough stability for most lifters and athletes.

This would not be my go-to shoe for maxing out my deadlift, but for moderate strength work, I enjoy the Nano X2 Froning’s performance. For example, I didn’t have stability issues when deadlifting up to 455 lbs and squatting 365 lbs.

The blend of the Floatride Energy Foam midsole and rubber outsole are the star players for the Nano X2 Froning’s lifting performance, and these are consistent with the Nano X2’s performance. The upper of this shoe doesn’t really impact performance at all.

For CrossFit, the Reebok Nano X2 Froning should work for most WODs. However, this model, like the Nano X1 and Nano X2, has an issue with durability when j-wrap rope climbing.

After one rope climbing session, I had my outsole start to peel off on one of my shoes, and I’m not convinced the ROPEPRO+ will perform the best for most athletes. I would suggest not rope climbing in this shoe if you want them to last.

Testing the Reebok Nano X2 Froning for Versatile Training

For versatile training, I like the Reebok Nano X2 Froning for the most part. This shoe is lightweight and has a “wispier” feel with its open-mesh upper compared to the Nano X2. For plyometrics and hotter training contexts, I like this feature.

I think for athletic-style training sessions and workouts where you’re doing HIIT, you should enjoy the Reebok Nano X2 Froning’s performance. The Floatride Energy Foam midsole has a nice level of responsiveness to it for these training styles.

I also like the outsole construction and lug pattern with the Reebok Nano X2 Froning. This is a feature that is consistent with all of the Reebok Nano X2 iterations and the tread does a good job of promoting grip for multi-directional work in the gym.

Another perk of the Reebok Nano X2 Froning for versatile training is that it should be a decent model for those who need more upper volumes in their shoes. This shoe also has a fair level of width for most foot anatomies.

One knock that I have with the Reebok Nano X2 Froning and its versatile training is its boot construction and upper. This shoe does not have a rigid boot by any means, so if you need additional ankle support, I would steer clear of this model. Plus, it could use more upper security for lateral training.

Testing the Reebok Nano X2 Froning for Short Runs and Daily Wear

For short runs, the Reebok Nano X2 Froning does a pretty good job. This shoe performs similarly to the Reebok Nano X2 for running and if you want them for short runs in WODs or for 1-3 miles, then they should do a good job.

I like the responsiveness of the Floatride Energy Foam midsole for this context and the Nano X2 Froning’s upper is nice a breathable. For long-distance runs, you’ll want to pass on these shoes and find a running shoe that is more specific to your needs.

For daily wear, I also like the Reebok Nano X2 Froning for the most part. This shoe has a pretty solid appearance and it has a nice clean “sporty” look to it, which goes well with certain outfits.

My only concern with the Nano X2 Froning’s performance for daily wear is that since they’re a higher-priced shoe, you may want to save them just for training to prolong their lifespan. 

Reebok Nano X2 Froning Sizing

The Reebok Nano X2 Froning’s sizing runs similar to the normal Reebok Nano X2. This is definitely a shoe that you’ll want to size accordingly based on your foot anatomy.

If you have a narrow or neutral-width foot, then you’ll likely want to size down a half-size in this model. For those who have neutral-width feet that like a bit more room at the end of your toe box, go true to size.

For wide feet, I’d suggest staying true to size for the Reebok Nano X2 Froning. This model’s width is neutral to wide and its length runs a little long compared to other training shoes.

• Reebok Nano X2 Froning Sizing Thoughts: Narrow and neutral-width feet, go down a half-size. Wide feet, go true to size.

If you have additional sizing questions about the Reebok Nano X2 Froning or how it compared to other training shoes, drop a comment below.

Price Breakdown

For the Reebok Nano X2 Froning, you can expect to pay $150 USD. This price point is $15 USD higher than the normal Nano X2 and $10 USD higher than the Nano X2 Adventure.

Honestly, I find the price point for this shoe to be fairly high, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t necessarily care about having the Froning model. Besides the name, the only real change with this shoe is its upper construction.

That being said, the Nano X2 Froning is a consistent performer, so if you are someone who collects the Reebok Nano Froning models, then I think you’ll enjoy them. Plus, the upper is a subtlety nice change for overall breathability.

However, again, there’s nothing inherently special or that different about this shoe compared to the standard Reebok Nano X2, so if you’re on the fence, I’d save money and go with the normal Nano X2 or other budget-friendly Reeboks like the Nanoflex TR 2.

Construction Details

The Reebok Nano X2 Froning comes with some construction details that have remained relatively unchanged from the core Nano X2. However, there are a few changes and details which I’ll note below with this shoe’s construction.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm
• Weight: 10.4 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• ROPEPRO+ Rubber Outsole
• Open-Mesh Upper
• Floatride Energy Foam Midsole
• Full Rubber Outsole
• Textile Lining
• Mesh Tongue
• 5 Core Eyelets

If you have additional construction-related questions about the Reebok Nano X2 Froning, drop a comment below.

Takeaway Thoughts

The Reebok Nano X2 Froning delivers a consistent performance as the core Reebok Nano X2 training shoe. I think if you like the normal Reebok Nano X2 model, then you’ll enjoy the performance of the Nano X2 Froning.

This shoe delivers a lighter-weight construction compared to its Nano X2 peers and feels athletic in nature due to this construction detail. For functional fitness and recreational lifting, I like Nano X2 Froning.

My main two gripes with the Reebok Nano X2 Froning are its durability for CrossFit workouts, and more specifically rope climbing, and its higher price point.

If you have additional questions on the Reebok Nano X2 Froning, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).