Our verdict
The Nano X1 was already hailed as the "ultimate fitness shoe" because of its solid performance and versatility, yet the X2 is still able to improve on it and ultimately sway more people into the Reebok Nano X fandom. Most notably, the X2 got more stable and supportive.
Pros
- Wraparound comfort
- Good for moderate lifting
- Great cushioning for jumps
- Okay for short runs
- Awesome foothold and stability
- Great traction
- Highly durable
- Perfect for wide feet
- Breathable upper
Cons
- Too roomy for medium/narrow feet
- Not ideal for rope climbs
Who should buy the Reebok Nano X2
This addition to Reebok's iconic Nano cross-training series is a no-brainer if:
- you need the ultimate all-rounder for lifting, aerobic exercises, and even all-day wear
- you have wide feet and prefer that extra toebox space
Who should NOT buy this trainer from Reebok
The Reebok Nano X2 is not the best fit for people with narrower feet. If you want a similar gym shoe that would be more form-fitting, try the Nike Metcon 8 or the NOBULL Trainer.
These shoes are also better options if you do a lot of rope climbing.
You might as well check out the Reebok Nano 6000. Experts say that the brand fixed issues with the Nano X2's upper in this shoe.
With the Reebok Nano X2, it will be comfort all over
The new knit upper on the Nano X2 received a lot of positive feedback from the athletes for its comfort. Some took note of how Reebok managed to make it so comfy and airy and yet very abrasion-resistant. "Breathes exceptionally well," says one fo the experts.
Reebok Nano X2 (left) vs. Reebok Nano X2 TR, its outdoor counterpart (right)
The Reebok Nano X2 is indeed among the breeziest training shoes we've tested. As you can see from our breathability tests, the material easily passes lots of smoke and light through it. We rated the shoe's ventilation as 4 out of 5 where 5 is the most breathable.
Our Dremel test confirmed that the Nano X2 doesn't skimp on durability either. Its knit upper doesn't have any thick synthetic overlays but still shows an incredible level of wear resistance.
After applying the tool to the Nano X1 and X2 at the same force and speed, we saw significantly less wear on the X2.
Nano X2 (left) vs. Nano X1 (right)
This way, the Reebok Nano X2 manages to walk a fine line between durability and breathability as opposed to the Metcon 8. The latter has a thick TPU coverage throughout the upper which adds durability while sacrificing weight and airiness.
A close-up photo of the Nike Metcon 8 upper (breathability: 3 out of 5)
A close-up photo of the Reebok Nano X2 upper (breathability: 4 out of 5)
The Nano X2 also has more padding in the tongue which prevents lace bites effectively and doesn't slide around as much as it did in the Nano X1.
The tongue got 1.6 mm thicker compared to the Nano X1 and is now 10.4 thick on the Nano X2. This is considerably thicker than the average 6.4 mm.
Support and lockdown? Never a problem!
Based on the users' feedback, the Reebok Nano X2 is one of the most supportive cross-trainers on the market. The shoe provides consistent foot containment through its strategically placed overlays, sturdy heel counter, and efficient lacing system.
Underneath the well-padded collar is an internal heel counter that keeps the foot in place. It is extensively praised for being sturdy and supportive by the reviewers.
In a manual assessment, we came to agree with these statements as the rearfoot portion of the shoe is quite stiff. On a 1-5 scale where 5 is the stiffest, we rated it as 3.
The heel counter is complemented by a rigid heel clip that runs from right above the foam up until both the lateral and medial sides of the forefoot. This special feature keeps the shoe stable and ensures forefoot flexion during explosive movements. "Feels plenty secure," says an expert.
Besides, the heel collar has been lowered in the Nano X2, eliminating the heel rubs of the previous model.
The lacing system is quite robust and does a really good job of keeping the shoe securely on even during the most aggressive moves.
Firm enough for lifting, and yet responsive for HIIT
A lot of people are choosing the Reebok Nano X2 for the versatility that it brings.
Crossfitters are happy that they can experience the best of the brand's Floatride cushioning all while feeling stable enough when lifting. Although it is not their top pick for heavy weightlifting, the shoe's barely compressible heel is said to handle moderate weights perfectly.
The shoe is also responsive enough for jumps and doesn't kill your feet on 1-3 mile runs, according to experienced gymgoers.
Interestingly enough, the cushioning foam in the heel of the Nano X2 turned out to be softer than in the forefoot! Normally, it's the other way around in training shoes. You need a harder heel for lifting.
In the heel, the X2 is 9% softer than average and in the forefoot, it is 15% firmer than average.
Disclaimer: We repeat the durometer measurement four times and then calculate the average. The photos above show just one of such measurements.
Bottom line: if you need a versatile cross-trainer for a little bit of everything, then the Nano X2 does an excellent job. But if you expect a firmer heel, do consider the Metcon 8 instead.
Softer forefoot and firmer heel on the Metcon 8
A little taller than your typical Crossfit shoe
The most recent Nanos have moved away from their role as dedicated Crossfit footwear to being more versatile gym trainers. As a result, their stack height and heel-to-toe drop have gotten slightly taller.
Of course, we couldn't resist grabbing a pair of calipers. The results show that in the heel, the Nano X2 (25.4 mm) is just a millimeter taller than the average (24.5 mm). And in the forefoot (16.7 mm), it is actually lower than the average (18.6 mm).
This means that despite growing some millimeters in the heel, the Nano still remains a fairly low-to-the-ground shoe.
Expert shoe reviewers state that the drop on the Nano X2 is 7 mm.
But as you can see from our findings above, it appears to be a little taller than that (8.7 mm). The most grounded cross-trainers tend to have a 4-mm drop.
Disclaimer: The insole is always included in our stack measurements. In the Reebok Nano X2, it is 3.5 mm thick, which is the average for training shoes.
All the right flex in all the right places
Burpees, lunges, planks, and all that jazz is easy to do in the Nano X2, according to the testers. They say that there is a good amount of flex in the forefoot that doesn't compromise stability.
True, the Reebok Nano X2 is very easy to bend forward. So much so that we rated it as 1 out of 5 (1 is the most flexible) in our manual assessment. We also measured it with a resistance gauge and found that the X2 is 67% more flexible than cross-trainers on average!
But as we try to twist the shoe, it goes back to being the good old stiff trainer. And this is a good thing, given that you need that for lateral support and stability.
Gain traction with the (outsole of the) Reebok Nano X2
The outsole of the X2 is an exact replica of the X1's. According to avid gym-goers, this setup offers a dependable grip on smooth gym floors, keeping you stable and safe.
Construction that you can depend on
The shoe is well put together with no noticeable blemishes, and this shoe is really as good as it looks! Even after being used for different types of workouts, gym rats are amazed that it still shows no serious signs of wear and tear. With this, we can fairly expect this trainer to last long.
...but just maybe not for rope climbs
Even though athletes describe the shoe's grip on the rope as fantastic, there is a problem with the durability of the ROPEPRO lip. Located on the inner side of the midsole, it tends to pull off, making the shoe useless for rope climbs.
Some athletes reported that this happened to their pair during the first session of rope climbs.
Nano X2 is heaven for wide feet (narrow footers, beware)
As one reviewer puts it, after the initial break-in, the shoes "open up and relax quite a bit" because of the knit upper. Given that the shoe has a roomy fit in the first place, people with medium-to-narrow feet might want to get half a size down.
But if you have worn the Nano X1, it is safe to get the same size in the X2.
To better convey the toebox dimensions, we measure its width in both the widest part of the forefoot and around the toes. In the forefoot, the Reebok Nano X2 (100.7 mm) is wider than most training shoes but in the toe area (73.4 mm), it's actually narrower than the average by 4 mm.
So, despite being on the wide side, it is not as gigantic as it may first appear from the user reviews.
Complete lab-specs overview
| Reebok Nano X2 | Average | |
| Whole shoe |
||
| Weight (g) | 307* | 312 |
| Drop (mm) | 8.7 | 5.8 |
| Overall Internal Length | 260.9 | 260.7 |
| Flexibility of the shoe (N) | 15.7 | 26.2 |
| Longitudinal flexibility (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 1 | 2.0 |
| Torsional flexibility (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 2 | 2.3 |
| Upper |
||
| Breathability - Smoke test (5 being the most breathable) | 4 | 3.0 |
| Thickness - Tongue (mm) | 10.4 | 6.4 |
| Width Upper - Forefoot (mm) | 100.7 | 99.5 |
| Width Upper - Heel (mm) | 73.4 | 77.3 |
| Flexibility of the heel counter (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 3 | 2.5 |
| Tongue: gusset type | none | - |
| Heel: pull tab | none | - |
| Midsole |
||
| Width Midsole - Forefoot (mm) | 108.9 | 108.3 |
| Width Midsole - Heel (mm) | 83.5 | 86.5 |
| Stack - Forefoot with insole (mm) | 16.7 | 18.6 |
| Stack - Heel with insole (mm) | 25.4 | 24.5 |
| Durometer Midsole - Heel (HA) | 25.0 | 27.2 |
| Durometer Midsole - Forefoot (HA) | 30.0 | 26.2 |
| Outsole |
||
| Outsole thickness (Heel) (mm) | 3.1 | 3.9 |
| Durometer Outsole Heel (Room temperature) (HC) | 81.6 | 84.0 |
| Insole | ||
| Insole Heel Thickness (mm) | 3.5 | 3.7 |
| Insole: removable | yes | - |
*Disclaimer: The weight of the Reebok Nano X2 was originally measured in a men’s US 8.5 (297g per shoe). We used our proprietary formula which is based on the weight measurements of over 40 shoe sizes.
