Reebok Nano X5 Review: Are We FINALLY Back?

It’s about time we saw a Nano that came to play from Reebok. Don’t get me wrong, the Reebok Nano X3 and X4 were okay shoes, but when you compare them to the older Nanos, they just feel kind of “off.”

I think that has to do with their narrower toe boxes, fairly aggressive arch, and how they felt a little over-engineered. The Nano X5 feels like a step back to Reebok’s roots while keeping its more generalist vibe and energy.

On the feet, they feel super similar to the Nano X2, which had a more spacious fit compared to the X3 and X4 regarding toe box width and upper volume. They also have a less aggressive arch, and if you’re one of the many who despised that in the X4, then I think you’ll be happy.

For the X5, I made a big point of testing them across the board since most will be buying them for a bit of everything. I’ve squatted north of 300 lbs in them, deadlifted 455 lbs, and have tackled multiple hybrid workouts and CrossFit WODs in em’. Are they worth it? Let’s discuss.

Who Should Buy This Shoe?

1. Reebok Nano X2 Lovers: As the line goes in The Hangover movies, “We’re back, baby!” The X5 has a fit that replicates the X2, so if you LOVED that shoe’s fit and feel on the feet, then you’ll resonate with the X5.
2. Generalists In the Gym: If you need that one-stop shoe for doing a little bit of everything, I vouch for the X5. They’re not so gungho in any one direction with their performance. For example, they can hold their own for CrossFit, lifting, short runs, HIIT, and classes.
3. You Like Light Arch Support: The X5 has a little arch support and a fairly stable ankle construction. If you like a little more support in your training shoes, then you’ll like the X5’s last and fit and feel on the feet.

Who Shouldn’t Buy This Shoe? (And Alternatives)

1. Flatter Feet May Not Love It: As mentioned above, if you’re someone who loves no arch in your shoes, then you’ll likely want to pass on the X5. Despite having less than the X4, there is still some arch present.
2. Low Drop, Minimalist Lovers: With a drop that’s still sitting at 7mm, low drop lovers will find the heel to still feel too high on the X5. In addition, these don’t have the lowest stack height in the game, so you won’t get as much ground feel if you’re after that.
   • Option 1 For a Lower Drop/Minimalist Vibe: Born Primitive Savage 1 (4mm drop)
   • Option 2 For a Lower Drop/Minimalist Vibe: STRIKE MVMNT Haze Trainer (4mm drop)
3. You Only Care About Lifting: While the X5 will work for MOST strength needs, I do think there are more dialed cross-training shoes if you only care about a shoe’s performance for strength training and power exercises.
   • Option 1 for Lifting-Focused Individuals: Adidas Dropset 3 (feel like a pseudo-weightlifting shoe)
   • Option 2 for Lifting-Focused Individuals: Nike Metcon 9 (stable, planted TPU heel)

What’s New With the Nano X5?

One of my favorite things about reviewing and discussing consecutive models with the community is covering what’s new and discussing if the changes are positive or negative overall. Here’s my take on what’s new with the Nano X5.

• Reworked Flexweave Knit Upper: Good change. Feels more spacious and breathes well
• Dual-Response EVA Midsole: Good Change. Feels more versatile than the X4’s Floatride Energy Foam.
• Split Rubber Outsole Construction: Good change. Feels like the Nano 9 and X’s outsoles that articulated well.
• Reworked Midfoot and Tongue: Average Change. The tongue feels a smidge short in this model.
• LAR Chassis System Rework: Good change. Doesn’t feel as bulky around the boot and stiff through the midfoot.

Sizing and Fit Thoughts

If you have never worn the Nano X2, then you might be like, “Great, you’ve said they fit like that shoe, but I have no context here. What size should I go with?” I got you, I got you. Below is how I’d suggest sizing these based on your foot anatomy and the other shoes I’ve reviewed.

Size these similar to your other Reebok, Nike, or Adidas shoes. Their length should run relatively true to size. Again, remember that these have a bit of arch in them, so for my flat footers, keep that in mind as you read my width thoughts below.

Narrow Width Foot Thoughts

• Sizing Advice: True to Size

These will have a pretty spacious fit in the forefoot for narrower feet. You’ll likely also find that you have to really cinch the laces down to get the tongue from falling down and use the top eyelet at all times to get a secure fit.

Medium Width Foot Thoughts

• Sizing Advice: True to Size

These will fit your feet really well. For example, if you have a D/E-width foot, then the width will likely feel perfect for your feet. The midfoot should also fit a lot more true for your feet.

Wide Foot Thoughts

• Sizing Advice: True to Size (for most)

For 2E-width feet, these should fit comfortably, and that’s due to the base of the forefoot being wider and the upper having a little more volume. 3-4E-width feet, it’s going to get a little spicy. Y’all might be okay, but I’d buy with the mindset that you may have to return them.

Performance Breakdown

As with all of my shoe reviews, I tested the Nano X5 with a lot of tests that I put other shoes through. This helps me have more context about a shoe’s performance compared to its competitors. For the X5 specifically, I went heavy on the cross-training/CrossFit and versatile workouts where I was doing some short runs and plyos.

For Lifting, These Have Been Exceptional

The Dual-Response EVA midsole is built to give you more pliability and flexibility in the forefoot with more density in the heel for stability. A lot of training shoes use this formula, and it seems Reebok is following suit. Objectively speaking, this midsole runs softer than the midsole used in the Nano X3/Nano X4.

To give you some numbers, my biggest barbell lifts in these shoes to date have been 300 lb Zercher squats, 265 lb power cleans, and 455 lb deadlifts. For these strength thresholds, the midsole held strong with limited compression, or at least it wasn’t noticeable enough to compromise performance for any of these lifts.

There’s also a bit less toe spring in this model compared to the X4, which I picked up on for my lower body days. It’s a bit easier to ground the forefoot, and when you mix this with the wider toe box, this is a very welcomed change. If you like a little more heel with your trainers for squats, you’ll also likely resonate with this shoe’s feel for leg day.

Another feature that I’ve liked for lifting is the outsole and its grip on different surfaces. I’ve always enjoyed the split outsole concept, and I feel like it feeds well into this shoe’s flexibility and grip on different surfaces. Whether I was cleaning on wooden platforms, squatting on rubber gym floors, leg pressing, or lunging on turf, I never had slip issues in these.

All that said, the Nano X5 should work great for most strength levels and thresholds. I wouldn’t stress the midsole being softer in this model, and unless you’re consistently pushing 500+ lb squats and deadlifts, you probably won’t notice too much midsole compression. There are more dialed cross-trainers for lifting; however, the Nano X5 ticks a lot of boxes.

Cross-Training and CrossFit, Call Me Impressed

One of my issues with the X4 was that it could start to feel bulky and uncomfortable during some cross-training sessions and WODs. The LAR system felt like “a lot” on the ankle, and the lack of midfoot flexibility always hindered that shoe’s ability to be truly great in a versatile context. The Nano X5 has been a nice pendulum swing back for Reebok, IMO.

When it comes to cross-training, I think the X5 will excel for most workouts you’ll throw at them. When doing workouts heavy on jump rope and plyos, I liked the feel of these shoes. The midsole gives you decent ground feedback without feeling too stable, and they feel a lot more comfortable for longer sessions where you’re jumping a lot.

If you’re doing classes and workouts with a lot of jumping and multi-directional work, then you should be solid in this model. I think some of this also stems from this shoe’s flexibility and how the upper feels way better from a security and breathability context. It feels a lot more athletic and accommodating for explosive workouts.

For CrossFit, the Nano X5 feels a lot more balanced with its capabilities. It’s a shoe that I’ve been using for most WODs without any issues, and I think it’s actually more comfortable to run in compared to its predecessors with the more exaggerated Lift and Run Chassis System. If you’re that more recreational CrossFit athlete who doesn’t exactly know what to get, I think the X5 can be a good option.

Durability-wise, this shoe has held up well. I’ve purposely tried to break my pair with rope climbs and burpees, but the RopePro and upper have held strong. My only long-term concern as of now has to do with where the TPU inserts into the base of the forefoot. I’m curious to see how this holds up over time and to see if others experience any splitting issues.

More Comfortable for Running and Walking

For running, the Nano X5 is a big step up compared to the clunkier X3 and X4. The max I liked to run in those models was about 800 meters, but the X5 has pushed that limit up to 1,200-1,600 meters. This still wouldn’t be my go-to trainer for running 5ks; for that, I’d take the Inov8 F-Fly, but they’re decent.

The reason they feel better has to do with their platform and midsole feeling. They give you a much smoother transition with all types of foot strikes. I prefer curved treadmills and incline treadmills best, however, you can get away with some outdoor running in these, too. The full rubber outsole is nice for giving you some durability in that context.

Similar to running, for walking and daily wear, the X5 is overall decent. It’s not going to give you the plushness of a running shoe, but compared to other training shoes like the Drop and Metcon models, these are tenfold better. I think my main gripe with this shoe for daily wear is that they don’t have that casual look and vibe if that’s big on your priority list.

For example, if I’m bringing one trail with me while traveling and I’m only bringing one pair of shoes, I’m opting for models like the STRIME MVMNT Transit StreetTrainer Mid, While On Earth Move Trainer, or RAD ONE. All of those models have a nice casual vibe and they can hold their own in the gym across multiple workouts.

Construction Details

Outsole

• Full rubber tread with slits in the forefoot
• Split outsole promotes flexibility
• Slightly heel bevel and toe spring
• RopePro wrap around midfoot

Midsole

• Dual-Response EVA midsole (forefoot is softer, heel is more dense)
• 7mm Heel-to-Toe Drop
• TPU insert through midfoot

Upper

• Flexweave Knit base
• Synthetic and textile overlays around midfoot and heel
• 6 Core eyelets
• Padded mesh tongue with two loops and gusset

Final Verdict: Are They a Must Have Shoe?

Kind of, hear me out.

The Reebok Nano X5 has been a really solid shoe, and I think if you’re a Reebok Nano fan, then these are worth picking up and at least trying. Especially if the Nano X3/Nano X4 were a swing and a miss for you. Give em’ a chance.

I also think they’re a good pick for CrossFit beginners who need a single “easy pick” shoe for tackling a wide range of WODs. As you dial in your CrossFit training, you’ll gain a better understanding of what you want — and likely — to get into some of the smaller, hard-to-get niche brands. We’re all there, join us.

The Nano X5 is also worth it for the generalist who wants a training shoe that can work for HIIT, classes, lifting, and even short runs. This is a good fail-safe shoe that should work for a wide range of foot anatomies. I’ve been happy with the Nano X5 and am so stoked Reebok made their fit wider.

Do they deliver the simplistic style that I like for training shoes that I can work out in and rock casually? No, and for that reason, I do think there are better options out there. As you get more specific with your asks, that’s where the X5 starts to fall off a bit. It’s a generalist, not a specialist.

If you have additional questions about the Nano X5, hit me in the comments below or reach out via Instagram!