Reebok Nano X3 Review (2023 Update) | Strong and Well-Rounded Performance?

Reebok Nano X3 Pros

Over the course of my testing and review process with the Reebok Nano X3, I’ve found a few pros that I really enjoy with this shoe.

1. Good Well-Rounded Performance

The first thing to like about the Reebok Nano X3 is its range of performance. I like how well-rounded this model is and that it performed well for the wide range of training tasks I’ve thrown at it.

In the context of weight training, the Nano X3 provided a nice level of stability when squatting well over three plates and when deadlifting up to 500 lbs. They also did a pretty good job for general strength sessions on machines and with dumbbells.

For versatile training including athletic-style sessions, HIIT, and short runs, I thought the Floatride Energy Foam did a pretty good job of providing a good level of responsiveness despite being a more stable cross-training shoe.

The forefoot feels active for multi-directional work and plyometrics and the heel is a little more accommodating when tackling quick runs. I also think the Nano X3 will be a stronger shoe for CrossFit compared to the Nano X1 and Nano X2.

2. Rope Climbing Durability Issues Seems to Be Fixed

Another thing to like about the Nano X3 is that Reebok appears to have fixed the rope climbing durability issue that plagued the X1 and X2. In those models, the ROPEPRO feature would break on the midfoot pretty quickly which was a big knock on their CrossFit performance.

In the Nano X3, the ROPEPRO+ feature is a lot denser and I have yet to experience durability issues when j-wrap climbing in this model and it provided a nice bite when climbing. Now, this does not mean that this model will be completely void of rope climbing issues.

With rope climbs, durability can always be variable based on the rope you’re using and the rope climbing style you’re using, but I think most should be safer in this Nano X3 compared to the past two models. If you experience issues, please reach out and let me know.

3. Lift And Run Chassis System Increases Versatility

The third thing to like about this model is its Lift And Run (L.A.R) chassis system. It took me a minute to appreciate this feature, but I think it’s a subtle and positive change for the Nano X3.

The L.A.R chassis is essentially designed to give you more responsiveness through the heel when jumping and running, then compress and stabilize as you lift. I think you feel the chassis in action more for the former, and I don’t really notice it when lifting.

Either way, I think the chassis system is a good chance and if you like shoe tech, then I think you’ll also appreciate this feature. I also enjoy the ankle support that comes with the chassis’ TPU wrap.

4. Reworked Upper Is a Positive Change

The final thing to like about the Nano X3 is its reworked upper construction. While I liked the Nano X2’s knit upper, I felt that it could stretch out pretty quickly which made for a loose fit which then resulted in a loss of supper security in certain training contexts.

The Nano X3’s Flexweave upper hugs the foot a little tighter and it gives this model a truer fit, so if you often felt like you were swimming in the Nano X2 then you should be in the camp that enjoys this change.

The upper has also done a good job regarding durability from abrasion doing burpees and rope climbs and I’m excited to see how it fares as we get more data points from other athletes and lifters testing this shoe.

Reebok Nano X3 Cons

As a whole, the Reebok Nano X3 is a step in a positive direction for the Nano training shoe line, but there are a couple of cons to note about this model.

1. Will Still Lack for Barbell-Specific Athletes

The first drawback that I could see some having with the Reebok Nano X3 is that it’s not going to be the best shoe for barbell-specific and strength sport-focused athletes. If you’re wanting a shoe specifically for heavy deadlifts and squats, you may want to pass on this model.

This shoe works well in the context of general strength training and for strength work programmed in WODs, but it will have some limitations, and that’s typical for cross-training shoes rooted in versatility. There will always be a give and take.

For example, in deadlifts, I found the higher heel-to-toe drop and thicker stack height to somewhat pitch me forwards, and for squats, if you’re pushing numbers close to 500 lbs, then you may find the Floatride Energy foam in the forefoot to be a little too soft.

2. Won’t Be the Best for Minimalist Lovers

Another drawback that I could see some having with the Nano X3 is that it’s likely not going to align with athletes and lifters that love minimalist-feeling training shoes.

For example, if you regularly train in barefoot shoes or models like the more flexible Haze Trainer which has a higher degree of sole flexibility, then you may find the Nano X3 to feel like “too much shoe” for your preferences.

3. Sole Runs a Little Stiff At First

The final drawback that I have with the Nano X3 is that its sole can run a little stiff out of the box and the upper folds a bit at the bottom of the toe box. My guess is that the reworked outsole and L.A.R give this shoe a more rigid initial feeling.

I like that the snugger fitting upper, however, I did notice that it folds a bit at the bottom of the toe box if you lace your shoes tight. This is more of a cosmetic gripe than a performance limiter, by the way. These shoes will more than likely take a few sessions to break in and they won’t come out of the box super mobile.

Performance Breakdown

To discuss the performance of the Reebok Nano X3, I tried to take these shoes through a wide range of workouts. I tested this model for heavier weight training, CrossFit, and versatile training, and have used them for short runs.

Since this shoe is designed and rooted in versatility, I wanted to see where its performance excels in different areas and assess where it starts to fall short.

Testing the Reebok Nano X3 for Lifting and CrossFit

When it comes to lifting, the Reebok Nano X3 provides a nice level of stability for most lifting thresholds. In this model, they felt plenty stable for back squat sets around 345-365 lbs and for deadlift sets up to 500 lbs.

As a taller lifter, I also like the slightly higher heel-to-toe drop as it gives you a little more “heel” for lower body exercises. If you like shoes with slightly higher heel-to-toe drops, then I think you’ll also enjoy how the Nano X3 feels for leg days.

The rubber outsole also performed well when it came to traction. Whether I was training on rubber gym floors, wooden platforms, turf, or machines, I thought the Nano X3 gripped well and I never had traction issues even when moving my feet when catching heavy cleans.

For CrossFit WODs, I found the Nano X3 to be a step in the right direction for the Nano line. The older Nanos were a little more focused on CrossFit, then the Nano X1 and X2 felt like they took a step back from this niche, but the X3 feels a little more true to Reebok’s CrossFit roots.

This shoe’s blend of versatility and stability did well for WODs that blended strength work with things like short runs, double-unders, and box jumps. I liked that even for longer WODs these didn’t get too uncomfortable. Granted, it did take a week or so to get them there.

Another aspect to like about the Nano X3 and CrossFit is that it seems like Reebok finally fixed the rope climbing durability issue that the last two models suffered from.

I have yet to have issues with my shoe’s durability when it comes to rope climbs which is a good sign with the volume that I program climbs.

Testing the Reebok Nano X3 for Versatile Training

For versatile training, including HIIT, athletic-style sessions, and hybrid workouts, I’ve enjoyed the performance of the Nano X3. This shoe does a good job of blending responsiveness with stability for this training context.

The Floatride Energy foam gives the forefoot a nice level of bounce and I feel like the L.A.R also adds to this shoe’s springiness and its ability to feel comfortable during landing phases of jumps. The heel compresses a tad in this context, which I like.

I also enjoyed how grippy the outsole is for multi-directional work and actually think this model is a little more grippy than the outsole used on the Nano X1 and Nano X2. When doing sharp cuts and acceleration work on turf, I have yet to experience slip issues.

The Flexweave upper is also a positive change about the X3 for athletic-style sessions. I found the upper to hug the foot well and I never had issues sliding in around the toe box in this model as I did in the Nano X2, which I noticed here and there when doing broad jumps.

My only gripe with the Nano X3 for versatile training is that they do take a bit of time to break in which I’ve mentioned already in this article. I would not expect these to feel perfect the first time you wear them and I’d give them a week or two to feel better for this training style.

Testing the Reebok Nano X3 for Short Runs and Daily Wear

When it comes to running, the Reebok Nano X3 feels very similar to the Nano X1 and Nano X2 but does have a slight edge for faster-paced runs, in my opinion. I think this has to do with the new L.A.R chassis system.

For example, I noticed this system most when tackling quick 400-meter runs on the Assault Runner. Since there’s an arc on the Assault Runner my heel does strike a tad more with my long strides and I felt like I got a little more “pop” in the X3 compared to the prior Nanos.

When tackling distances over 800 meters this model feels okay, but I’d suggest capping your mileage to about 2 miles tops in this shoe as it does run a little more stable. For long-distance runs, you’ll likely want to find a running-specific shoe like the Reebok Floatride Energy 4.

For daily wear, the Nano X3 does an okay job, but I think this is an area where the Nano X2 actually has a small edge. Since this model’s upper runs a little more snug, I find the Nano X2 to be a little more comfortable for all-day wear.

That being said, I do think if you find the Nano X3 comfortable then you will enjoy them for daily wear and they should work just fine. They feel similar overall to the Nano X2’s comfort, but I’m nitpicking between the two models to give you a better idea of what to expect.

Reebok Nano X3 Sizing

In the Reebok Nano X2, the name of the game was to go down a half size for most foot anatomies sans wide feet, however, I don’t think that’s going to be the case in the Reebok Nano X3.

Since the Reebok Nano X3 has a lower-profile upper that hugs the foot a little more, I think most lifters and athletes will want to go true to size in the Nano X3. The Nano X3 fit a lot more truly than the Nano X2 and I didn’t have issues regarding length in this model.

That being said, If you have notably narrow feet and typically feel like you’re swimming in Nanos, then in your case, you may want to size down a half size to play it safe, but I think that will be the only exception in this model.

For additional sizing context, the width remains unchanged in this model compared to the X2, however, you will feel like it fits a little snugger due to the upper. For most lifters, I don’t think this will be a huge issue or concern.

• Reebok Nano X3 Initial Sizing Thoughts: True to size for most. Narrow feet, go down a half size.

If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Nano X3 or want a video of how they compare to the Nano X2s before investing in them, please don’t hesitate to reach out and I can try to help you out accordingly.

Construction Details

While the Reebok Nano X3 hasn’t received a complete construction overhaul like many expected, there are a few key changes to note in this model. Below, I’ve provided a specs list in addition to five key changes to note. 

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm
• Weight: 13.85 oz (size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• Flexweave Upper
• Lift And Run Chassis System
• Full Rubber Outsole
• Floatride Energy Foam Midsole
• Textile Lining
• 6 Core Eyelets With a 7th for Lace-Locking

If you have additional construction-related questions about the Reebok Nano X3, drop a comment below.

What’s New With the Reebok Nano X3’s Construction?

As opposed to prior years where the Reebok Nano’s construction received a massive overhaul for every two models, the Reebok Nano X3 offers a more refined and curated construction that feels like a positive continuation of the Reebok Nano X2.

For starters, there are four major construction updates that I want to call attention to in this Nano X3 preview article. These are features that I also noticed right away when using this model for training.

1. New Upper Construction

The first big update to the Nano X3 that I picked up on right away was the reworked FlexWeave knit upper. The upper in the Nano X3 has a lower-profile fit compared to the knit used in the Nano X2 and feels a lot more “athletic” with its snugness.

On top of this, the upper feels a little more “rigid” in the context that its overlays feel more harmonious with one another as opposed to the synthetic overlays that sat on top of the knit and mesh in the Nano X2.

Thus far, I’ve enjoyed this change right out of the gate and I haven’t noticed any glaring durability issues with the Nano X3’s upper yet. However, time will tell regarding this as I continue to test this shoe in different workouts.

2. Lift and Run (L.A.R) Chassis

Another major update with the Nano X3 is Reebok’s utilization of their Lift and Run (L.A.R) chassis. This is a feature that is intended to make the midsole a little more versatile regarding its stability and versatility.

Essentially, it’s a tweak to the midsole construction that has a piece of plastic that hugs the outside of the foot, then the heel features two flat layers where the Floatride Energy Foam sits between. These layers compress and expand depending on what you’re doing.

I know, it’s pretty difficult to picture what I mean and I’m not the best at explaining the physical construction piece in writing, so in my review, I’ll be sure to include a picture and clip of the chassis to help give you more context.

3. Reworked Outsole

The outsole on the Nano X3 has also been reworked and the consistent rubber outsole with a lug pattern that we saw on the Nano X1 and Nano X2 is no more. The Nano X3’s outsole is fully rubber and features a smoother lug treat patterning.

In addition, this shoe also has what looks like the “metasplit” design that came in the Reebok Nano 7, 8, 9, and X built-in, however, Reebok hasn’t made a point to call this feature out, so I’m saying that more so as it’s a visual representation of the design and not a set-in-stone feature.

4. Reworked ROPEPRO+ Outsole Construction

The ROPEPRO feature that often had durability issues in the Reebok Nano X1 and Nano X2 has also been reworked. The Nano X3’s ROPEPRO+ outsole wrap now sits more flush with the midsole and upper which I’m hoping helps with durability.

The Nano X1 and Nano X2’s downfall with its ROPEPRO was the sharp ridge breaking on the medial midfoot. While I haven’t had a chance to test the Nano X3s for rope climbs yet, it feels more durable upon my first few workouts and impressions of this model.

The ROPEPRO+ feels studier and its density is pretty noticeable. I’m excited to test this feature more to see if Reebok was able to solve the rope climbing durability issue with the past couple of Reebok Nanos.

5. Reworked Heel Shape and Clip

Another pretty significant update to the Reebok Nano X3 is its reworked heel shape and clip. The Nano X3 features a thicker piece of TPU that encloses the heel to provide additional stability and ankle support.

I personally like that the clip of this model has a denser feel to it and that it sits a little more flush with the upper around the boot. I think this was a good change and it should be a nice benefit for athletes and lifters that like training shoes with more ankle support.

That being said, this is also a construction feature I’m going to keep an eye on as I test this model more. I want to ensure it’s actually durable void of lipping issues and that it doesn’t cause discomfort when doing things like multi-directional exercises.

Takeaway Thoughts

Overall, I think the Reebok Nano X3 is a step in the right direction for the Nano cross-training shoe line. This model has delivered a well-rounded performance across all of my performance tests.

There are still a few little quirks that some may not enjoy with this shoe, but I think for the most part, their versatility should work out well for most athletes and lifters needing a shoe for lifting, CrossFit, and dynamic training.

If you have additional questions about the Reebok Nano X3, drop a comment below or email me via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).