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Which Reebok Nano Is Right for Your Training Needs?

When you’re lacing up the ‘Official Shoe of Fitness,’ you want to ensure it’s right for your workout.

reebok nano gym shoesBen Emminger

By Ben Emminger

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While performance and footwear go hand-in-hand (foot-in-foot?), there’s few sneaker silhouettes in the fitness world that carry the track record of the Reebok Nano. Originally unveiled in 2011, this sleek, training-focused kick has powered plenty of athletes through grueling workouts, lengthy CrossFit circuits and beyond.

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Now in its 13th trip around the sun, the Nano stable boasts a handful of unique designs and editions, each with delicate quirks and features that cater to specific training styles and needs. While each profile can be a solid pick for a bevy of workouts, knowing which sneaker is attuned to which fitness environment can help you get the absolute max out of every step.

So, when it comes to curating the perfect rotation of Reebok Nanos, where do you start? From high-intensity daily trainers, to nostalgic-yet-still-impressive pieces, adventurous profiles for the outdoors and more, here’s everything you need to know about the current Nano landscape.

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A Brief History of the Nano Stable

The Nano lineup of fitness-minded footwear has its roots in CrossFit and serves as a pinnacle point in the discipline’s history. With the launch of the original Reebok CrossFit Nano 1.0 back in 2011, this footwear icon gave merit to a sport that (at the time) was still developing its identity. Like athletic cleats for field-based sports or high-octane marathon shoes, CrossFit enthusiasts now had a uniform that catered to their needs — a flat and stable sole for secure lifts and movements, an abrasion-resistant upper to withstand the demands of rope climbs and a wide toe box that flew in the face of more traditional, snug training sneakers.

As both brands grew in the space, each year brought with it a handful of design elements that accentuated the impressive and body-taxing movements of the sport. Durable midsoles, grippy outsoles and breathable textiles soon became staples of the stable, with clamoring athletes finding it difficult to pick a favorite with each passing rendition (although a few still hold up as some of the best in the bunch).

While Reebok and CrossFit’s partnership ended in 2020, the two are still synonymous with one another. The constant dedication to fitness and hard-nosed training is still present in today’s iterations, and Reebok has taken the learnings of the past 13 years to tweak and craft silhouettes that support not just in-gym movements, but outdoor and lifestyle strides as well. The sneaker once specific to WODs and WODs only now has faces for outdoor workouts, lifestyle wear and more.

How We Tested

reebok nano gym shoesBen Emminger

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of donning multiple Nano iterations across a variety of environments, so I’m no stranger to the innovations and performance at play. To get a grip on what the stable’s current roster can bring to athletes, though, I suited up in four iterations — the Nano X3, Nano X3 Adventure, Nano 2.0 and Nano Classic — to get a feel for where each profile fit best within my normal routine. Comparisons were conducted both within the lineup itself as well as against other well-performing sneakers from other brands.

I do believe that most athletes would be able to get a solid workout in regardless of which profile you choose from this current bunch, but if the brand offers specialized kicks for certain scenarios, why try and ask too much from a single shoe? After all, Reebok Nanos are relatively on-par with other training kicks in terms of price, so it’s not like you need to justify a higher cost with pushing a sneaker past its intent. Plus, today’s Nanos are some of the most stylish sneakers in the space, so if you can preserve that aesthetic and performance even further, then why not?

Clamoring to add one of these sleek training profiles to your rotation? Let’s dive in.

Best for General Fitness and CrossFit: Reebok Nano X3

Pros

  • Lift and Run Chassis System is versatile enough for light runs and heavy lifts alike

Cons

  • Heel slippage can occur for some athletes

The Nano X3 is one of the most trusted training sneakers in my rotation for a reason — the shoe is versatile. Whether taking on some heavy strength training, loading up for machine-based exercises or focusing on agility work, I feel confident in these kicks day in and day out thanks to the new Lift and Run Chassis System. This midsole component adapts to your tasks, creating a heel sensation that’s stable enough for static lifts yet responsive and comfortable when necessary for cardio. Additionally, I appreciate the redesigned FlexWeave upper that seems to have eliminated any stretching or errant wear — one of my sticking points across previous Nano iterations.

reebok nano x3
No matter my given training session, the Reebok Nano X3s keep me secure, confident and ready to perform.
Ben Emminger

Of course, the Nano X3 is not the perfect sneaker for every athlete (if that even exists). For one, the boot and heel design can give way to some slippage for smaller-footed athletes. This can easily combatted, however, with a heel lock lace setup. Additionally, while the 7mm heel-to-toe drop is excellent for a wide array of exercises, those that tend to zone in on deadlifts may want a more grounded underfoot experience.

Best for Heavier Lifts and Nostalgic Vibes: Reebok Nano 2.0

Pros

  • Stable EVA midsole creates an ideal platform for heavy strength training sessions

Cons

  • Wider toe box can be too roomy for narrow-footed athletes

If you are looking for a lower-to-the-ground Nano, this blast from the past is sure to get your heart rate fluttering. As one of the most popular iterations in the shoe’s history, the Nano 2.0 recently received a relaunch, providing every workout with a splash of nostalgia to go along with the performance underfoot. This iteration boasts a 4mm heel-to-toe-drop as opposed to the current 7mm, which I appreciate for certain exercises like deadlifts and leg presses where I want my feet to be as grounded as possible. Plus, the Nano 2.0’s wider toe box should be a treat for athletes desiring more room for toe splaying.

reebok nano 2 point 0
The lower heel-to-toe-drop of this vintage Reebok training silhouette makes it prime for heavier lifts and training days.
Ben Emminger

Of course, that extra room in the toe box can be viewed as the Achilles heel of this retro training sneaker. For narrow-footed athletes, especially, all that space could lead to some less-than-wanted room to roam interiorly. While I didn’t feel this was a major detriment to my in-gym performance, even my basic foot width felt a little too unconstricted, hence my recommendation to keep these for more static exercise rather than for side-to-side agility movements.

Best for Outdoor Workouts: Reebok Nano X3 Adventure

Pros

  • Vibram outsole and more aggressive lugs boost traction across loose gravel and trailways

Cons

  • Redesigned heel and boot can lead to even more heel slippage than the original Nano X3

While I commend the Nano X3s for their versatility, there’s only so much traction to be had across the flatter outsole design. Enter the Nano X3 Adventure boasting a handful of outdoor-minded build qualities highlighted by the Vibram outsole construction. This feature is an absolute treat when taking your training into the wild, and I appreciate the more aggressive lug pattern that showed no signs of slippage across asphalt courts, loose gravel or mid-grade trails. I wouldn’t say these Nano X3 Adventures replace my dedicated trail running sneakers, but for quick jaunts through the local park post-kettlebell session, there’s more than enough grip to suffice.

reebok nano x3 adventure
Perfect for clear-skied training, these durable yet responsive Nano X3 Adventures almost dare you to work out outdoors.
Ben Emminger

The Reebok Nano X3 Adventures also showcase a beefier upper designed to withstand debris and elemental stress more so than its predecessor, as well as a new heel and boot setup. This is where I see this sneaker’s greatest flaw, as there’s not enough snugness across this area to create an ideal fit. Where some can get away without a heel lock in the original Nano X3s, I feel it’s almost a necessity with this wilder iteration.

Best for Post-Workout Hangs: Reebok Nano Classic

Pros

  • Floatride Energy Foam midsole keeps every step responsive yet comfortable

Cons

  • Layered upper is less breathable than others, which may not be suitable for HIIT workouts

Naturally, we can’t be training all the time, but as someone that’s become accustomed to the performance of training sneakers, hopping into lifestyle-focused kicks can sometimes leave my dogs barking. For situations where I want a more subdued aesthetic that’s more appropriate for the streets than the smith machine, I often turn to the Nano Classic. You still get the performance of the Nano X3 frame, highlighted by the Floatride Energy Foam midsole, yet the exterior gives off a more subtle design that easily pairs to your going out attire.

reebok nano classic
I mean, would you really want to dirty up these stylish kicks with dust and sweat?
Ben Emminger

Despite this more social vibe, you’re still able to get in a solid workout while wearing these stylish Reebok profiles. However, the redesigned upper featuring layers of suede and leather does raise the internal temperature mid-training, so I would forgo scheduling a night out with friends right before a HIIT session. If anything, I’d save these sneakers more for lifestyle wear and keep them as a sleeper component for your daily life. Think about it, when chasing down a cab or getting dared into an athletic feat, would you rather display your fitness levels in a Chukka boot or something inspired by the very shoes you wear to the gym? I’ll take the latter.

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