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I have to admit, the Reebok Nanoflex TR has been a subtle surprise. This training shoe is marketed as a budget-friendly Reebok Nano and features a nice blend of versatility and stability.
I’m always hesitant when companies produce budget-friendly training shoes. If the price is decreasing, then you have to wonder, “Where is performance decreasing?”
Honestly, I haven’t found where performance lacks in this model yet, because as a more casual cross-training shoe, the Reebok Nanoflex TR holds its own.
Who Should Buy the Reebok Nanoflex TR
The Reebok Nanoflex TR is NOT going to be a cross-training shoe for everyone. I personally like it, but we need to understand who this shoe will work best for based on its construction.
If you are someone who likes to train recreationally, with HIIT workouts, and like a more responsive model, then this shoe will be for you.
The Reebok Nanoflex TR is a good shoe to function as a daily driver and for casual training. The Reebok Nanoflex TR lacks cross-training shoe tech features for things like rope climbs and handstand push-ups. This is why Reebok often steers into this model as being the budget Reebok Nano.
Conversely, if you’re on this article looking for a stable cross-trainer to match your CrossFit or serious cross-training workouts, then I would look to other Reebok Nano models. The Reebok Nano X and prior models will be better bets for stability-focused workouts.
Reebok Nanoflex TR Pros
In my opinion, the Reebok Nanoflex TR has a few key pros working in its favor.
- Budget-Friendly
- Lightweight and Breathable
- Great Looking Shoe
The first thing that I like about this model is just how budget-friendly it is. At a price of $90 USD, it’s considerably less than its Nano counterparts. For context, the Reebok Nano X and Nano X1 are still sitting around $130 USD. If you want a daily driver for things like your commute or a shoe to rock for casual training, then the Reebok Nanoflex TR is a good shoe for you.
Another pro with this model is its lightweight and breathable construction. The upper is made with a durable and breathable net mesh. This provided the shoe with a maneuverable and light feeling in whatever activity I was using it for. The midsole and outsole also feed into the lightweight construction of this shoe.
The Reebok Nano 9 and Nano X were fairly notorious for being heavier cross-training shoes. The Reebok Nanoflex TR comes in at a lighter weight and doesn’t have the same “bulk” that came with those shoes CrossFit-focused construction features.
The final aspect that I like with the Nanoflex TR is the overall aesthetics. I love a clean and simple-looking shoe and I think this model knocks that aspect out of the park. If you want a trainer to wear on a day-to-day basis and to the gym recreationally, then I think this model is a really good bet.
Reebok Nanoflex TR Cons
For anyone thinking about this model, I think there are two key drawbacks to consider.
- Not the Most Stable
- Lacks Niche Construction
As touched on above, this model will not be your best option for stability. The midsole and outsole are responsive and don’t have the same high-density foam and firm rubber as other Reebok Nanos have. You can train decently heavy in this model, but I would not use it for anything over 80% of my 1-rep max.
Another factor to consider is the lack of cross-training-specific construction aspects. For example, this model doesn’t have any form of rope-supporting construction features. In addition, the TPU wrap on the back is not nearly as supportive or conducive to handstand push-ups as other models.
Reebok Nanoflex TR Performance
If you go into this model to understand what it’s designed for, then I think you’ll be like me and be subtly happy with the Nanoflex TR’s performance. Across the board, this shoe did a fairly good job for recreational training.
Reebok Nanoflex TR for Lifting
This shoe is what you’d expect in the gym from a more versatile cross-trainer. Its stability is okay across the board and I wore it up 450 lbs in my testing. It worked for this weight when doing trap bar deadlift, but truthfully, I wouldn’t go much heavier than this and I’d recommend staying lighter for more dynamic movements in this model like snatches and cleans.
If you’re a recreational lifter, I think this model will be just fine for you. I was hitting walking lunges up to 70 lbs in these and they felt plenty stable. For those who want versatility and don’t necessarily care about how much stability their shoe has, I think this model will get the job done for you.
Reebok Nanoflex TR for Agility, HIIT, and Plyometrics
I enjoy agility and plyometrics in this model. The responsive midsole provides you with a fair amount of feedback when doing various bounding activities. Plus, the flex grooves on the outsole provide a nice level of multi-direction traction for forward, lateral, and backward movement.
For anyone who does more casual plyometric work or wants this model for HIIT, I think you’ll enjoy the overall construction of this shoe. The only real caveat to this model for athletic-focused training including HIIT, plyometrics, and agility work is that the toe box can be a tad uncomfortable at times.
I’ve found when wearing this shoe for longer periods that my toes would constantly feel rubbed on the pinky toe side. It wasn’t the biggest deal and I don’t think every athlete will run into this issue, but if you are prone to experiencing some friction on your pinky toe in other training shoes, then the last of this model may not be the best fit for you.
Reebok Nanoflex TR for Day-to-Day Wear and Shorter Runs
On a day-to-day basis, I like this model. I think the comfort feeds well into wearing it for longer durations and I’d grab these over other Reebok Nanos. Plus, I dig the clean-looking exterior of this model and its simplistic construction.
For shorter runs, this model works fairly well. It’s responsive, can tackle shorter runs, and remains fairly comfortable. I will say, that I would not use this model for longer runs, but for shorter runs, it’s more comfortable than other Nano models.
Sizing and Fit
For most athletes and lifters, I think you should be safe going true to size in this model. There’s enough room through the mid-foot and toe box for a majority of athletes and lifters.
However, if you are someone who historically needs to size up, then I’d highly suggest trying them on before you buy. You could also play it safe and size up a half-size.
Price
We’ve hit on price already throughout this review, but for the Reebok Nanoflex TR you can expect to pay around $90 USD. Overall, I think this price is fair for this model especially compared to other cross-trainers on the market.
If you shop around on places like Amazon, you might be able to find them for less than their $90 asking price.
Construction
The construction of this model is fairly simplistic in nature. There are no crazy construction specs or shoe tech of note for the Nanoflex TR. I’m going to provide the construction specs below from Reebok’s site.
- Lace closure
- Mesh upper
- Breathable feel
- Rubber outsole with flex grooves
For my construction analysis, skip to 6:47 in my video above!
Overall, I enjoyed this model and think it’s a good option for anyone that wants a budget-friendly versatile cross-trainer.
Reebok Nanoflex TR Vs Reebok Nano X1 Vs Reebok Nano X
A lot of questions that I receive revolve around how this model compares to other Reebok Nano shoes. It’s very different compared to the Nano X and Nano X1, and that could be a good thing depending on what you want out of your shoes. I’ve written extensively on these models and I’d highly suggest checking out the article linked above.
In that comparison article, I discuss the Reebok Nano X, Nano X1, and Nanoflex TR’s constructions and compare them to one another. I also discuss each shoe’s performance and which model is best for certain activities.
If you want a trainer to beat up with daily wear that has a budget-friendly price, then the Nanoflex TR is a pretty good option.
Wrapping Up
The Reebok Nanoflex TR is not going to break new grounds as the most stable cross-training shoe out there. However, for a budget-friendly model, I like this shoe for casual training and recreational agility/HIIT workouts.
Deborah A Coates
Does this trainer have a cushioned mid innersole or not?
The innersole in this model is not removable and it’s not the “most” cushioned on the market. It does an okay job, but it’s definitely not going to be the softest innersole for a cross-trainer!