Our verdict
- Our top pick in best workout shoes
- Our top pick in best cross-training shoes
Pros
- Perfect gym-to-trail shoe
- Dependable traction
- Provides good impact protection
- Offers enough court feel
- Super durable upper
- Just enough stability for exercises
- Feels light
- Fairly flexible structure
Cons
- Poor breathability
- Pricey if not used outdoors
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar training shoes compared
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Audience score | 81 Good! | 86 Good! | 85 Good! | 84 Good! | |
Price | $150 | $130 | $150 | $150 | |
Use | CrossfitWorkoutCross-trainingGymHIITSkipping rope | CrossfitWorkoutCross-trainingGymHIITSkipping rope | CrossfitWorkoutCross-trainingGymHIITSkipping rope | CrossfitWorkoutCross-trainingGymHIITSkipping rope | |
Drop lab | 7.9 mm | 4.8 mm | 8.6 mm | 7.7 mm | |
Heel stack lab | 25.6 mm | 22.3 mm | 26.0 mm | 22.9 mm | |
Forefoot | 17.7 mm | 17.5 mm | 17.4 mm | 15.2 mm | |
Weight lab | 12.5 oz / 353g | 12.3 oz / 350g | 11.7 oz / 332g | 12.1 oz / 342g | |
Breathability | Warm | Moderate | Breathable | Breathable | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Wide | Medium | Wide | Medium | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Flexible | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Stiff | Stiff | Flexible | |
Heel counter stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | |
Toebox durability | Good | Good | Good | Bad | |
Heel padding durability | Good | Bad | Good | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Decent | Decent | Good | - | |
Midsole width in the forefoot | Average | Average | Narrow | Average | |
Midsole width in the heel | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Widths available | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | |
Insole thickness | Average | Average | Average | ||
Outsole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Thick | |
Outsole hardness | Hard | Average | Average | Average | |
Heel tab | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | None | |
Tongue: gusset type | None | None | Both sides (full) | Both sides (full) | |
Tongue padding | Average | Average | Average | Very thin | |
Ranking | #26 Bottom 16% | #19 Bottom 38% | #20 Bottom 35% | #22 Bottom 29% | |
Popularity | #27 Bottom 12% | #23 Bottom 25% | #4 Top 13% | #8 Top 26% |
Who should buy
This trainer has "Adventure" in its name to signal its affinity with the outdoors.
Our wear-test results and lab assessments point that the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure is a good match for athletes who want:
- one trainer for both the gym and the trails
- a very hard-wearing and lasting workout shoe
- a well-rounded cross-trainer for both running and lifting
Who should NOT buy
If you don't really need the added ruggedness for the trails and you spend 90% of your workouts at the gym, we recommend the standard Reebok Nano X3 or the top-tier Nike Metcon 9.
The X3 Adventure is also among the hottest (literally) shoes that we have ever tried. People with sweaty feet should stay away from this trainer and get the Reebok Nano X3 instead.
Breathability
It's clear to us that breathability was not prioritised when this trainer was designed. We can even use it as evidence for global warming! That's how hot it felt!
As seen in the video above, practically no speck of smoke was able to escape through the upper. Even something as bodiless as light found it hard to penetrate. Giving this shoe a rating better than a 1 over 5 would be a crime against humanity. The difference in breathability between the Nano X3 Adventure and the Adidas Dropset 2 (which got a perfect 5) is like the difference between heaven and hell.
If your feet sweat a lot, then expect a deluge when you wear the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure! We just hope that there are socks out there that can absorb all the moisture.
When we examined the upper under the microscope, we saw just how closed-off the material is. It would be a miracle if air (or any other gas) could pass through it.
Nano X3 Adventure | 1 |
Average | 3.4 |
Durability
Toebox durability
The lack of breathability, fortunately, came with an undeniable benefit: it felt immensely resistant to abrasion.
We watched in awe as the upper did not appear in any way affected by our high-pressure Dremel drilling. Compared to the damage seen on the Adidas Dropset Trainer (which got a 1 out of 5 for toebox durability), the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure just looked a little dishevelled but never damaged. A score of 5 out of 5 is well-deserved.
Nano X3 Adventure | 5 |
Average | 2.6 |
Heel padding durability
The heel also displayed considerable durability. No wonder we didn't see any sign of wear and tear on it even after we used this shoe for jumping exercises that caused it to rub aggressively on our feet.
After our Dremel test, the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure only showed very minimal signs of assault. We gave it a score of 4 out of 5 for heel padding durability as a result. The Nike MC Trainer 2, which got the lowest rating of 1 out of 5, couldn't compare.
Nano X3 Adventure | 4 |
Average | 2.7 |
Outsole hardness
This version of the Nano Adventure features a sturdy, outdoor-ready Vibram rubber. Thus, it was not surprising to find that the outsole felt firmer than usual.
When we assessed it in the lab, our HC durometer gave it a rating of 89.4. This score confirmed that the Nano X3 Adventure was indeed firmer than most training shoe rubbers.
Nano X3 Adventure | 89.4 HC |
Average | 82.9 HC |
Outsole durability
But despite being a little firmer than usual, the outsole of the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure still showed just the normal amount of durability. We wouldn't say ban outdoor usage; taking this training shoe outdoors every once in a while shouldn't hurt.
We also pressed our Dremel against it, and it resulted in 1.3 mm of damage. This number does not deviate much from the average.
Nano X3 Adventure | 1.3 mm |
Average | 1.1 mm |
Outsole thickness
At 4.1 mm, the outsole of this Reebok trainer is only slightly thicker than average. But we found that this is enough rubber to make the shoe more outdoor-friendly.
Nano X3 Adventure | 4.1 mm |
Average | 3.6 mm |
Weight
Our scale in the lab pegged the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure's weight to be 12.5 ounces or 353 grammes. This number makes this trainer slightly heavier than average.
Good thing we did not feel the increase in weight. We never felt our steps being weighed down in any way.
Nano X3 Adventure | 12.45 oz (353g) |
Average | 10.76 oz (305g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
The heel part of the midsole was of average thickness. Our calliper in the lab measured it to be 25.6 mm thick.
Nano X3 Adventure | 25.6 mm |
Average | 24.4 mm |
Forefoot stack
Just like the heel, the forefoot was also of average thickness. The calliper gave out a reading of 17.7 mm.
Being average was not at all bad in the case of the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure. It was still thin enough for us to gain control over our movements. This allowed us to perform well agility exercises.
The midsole, of course, felt thick enough to protect us from impact. This allowed us to do jump ropes for a sustained period.
Nano X3 Adventure | 17.7 mm |
Average | 18.2 mm |
Drop
The drop of Reebok Nano X3 Adventure is just around the average.
We never had problems with our steps since the heel-to-toe transitions were still smooth. Needless to say, this benefit made our walks and runs easier and smoother, too.
Nano X3 Adventure | 7.9 mm |
Average | 6.2 mm |
Midsole softness
After wearing it for several exercises, we noticed that the midsole of the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure was slightly softer than the typical midsole. This softness allowed us to persist for a little bit longer with our workouts because it helped keep the pain at bay.
In the lab, we used an HA durometer to assess the softness of the midsole. Our device gave it a rating of 21.9.
Nano X3 Adventure | 21.9 HA |
Average | 27.8 HA |
Insole thickness
The removable insole was as thick as the average insole used in training shoes. Our calliper measured it to be 3.5 mm thick.
Nano X3 Adventure | 3.5 mm |
Average | 3.9 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
We could say that both the lateral and medial sidewalls of this trainer were quite effective in keeping our feet in place. Our side-to-side movements never felt tentative. The Reebok Nano X3 Adventure was a dependable workout partner, indeed, because of this.
Torsional rigidity
During our test workouts, we felt the base of this Reebok training shoe to be mildly protective from painful foot twists.
In the lab, we tested the shoe's torsional rigidity manually, and we could give it a solid rating of 3 over 5. This score made the Nano X3 Adventure better than many other trainers in our inventory.
Nano X3 Adventure | 3 |
Average | 2.7 |
Heel counter stiffness
The heel counter also showed moderate resistance to twists and squeezes. Back in the lab, its resistance was enough for us to break a sweat when we were giving it a good squeeze.
How did such a lab result translate in the gym? The moderately stiff heel counter (3 out of 5 rating) gave us a secure-enough grasp around the rearfoot. We were confident that the shoe wouldn't be accidentally taken off during aggressive jumps and other movements.
Nano X3 Adventure | 3 |
Average | 2.7 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
The forefoot part of the shoe platform was of average width. Our calliper measured it to be 108.9 mm wide.
Nano X3 Adventure | 108.9 mm |
Average | 110.3 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
The heel part of the platform was also of average width. Our digital calliper gave out a reading of 85.2 mm.
We couldn't find any serious fault in the platform. It was wide enough to contain our feet and ensure the stability of our steps.
Nano X3 Adventure | 85.2 mm |
Average | 87.4 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
Structurally speaking, the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure had the normal flexibility. We did not find it hard to bend and flex our feet when we needed to, such as when we did burpees and mountain climbers.
Back in the lab, we learned that this Reebok trainer needed 19.0N of force to bend at a 90-degree angle.
Nano X3 Adventure | 19.0N |
Average | 17.8N |
Grip / Traction
The grip of the outsole was dependable on both gym surfaces and moderate trails. It even had a very strong bite on the rope and felt tackier than the previous Nano Adventure.
We did not find any issues with this performance aspect. The renowned Vibram rubber lived up to our expectations.
Size and fit
Internal length
Upon wearing it, we immediately noticed that the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure was somewhat generous in terms of its internal length. Our calliper measured it to be 267.7 mm, making it slightly more spacious lengthwise than the average trainer.
Nano X3 Adventure | 267.7 mm |
Toebox width at the widest part
The widest part of the toebox measured 100.9 mm. This is almost equal to the average, so we do not think that this shoe will be able to accommodate those with wider feet.
Nano X3 Adventure | 100.9 mm |
Average | 100.3 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
However, we strongly believe that this trainer will be a blessing to those who want more wiggle room for their toes. At the big toe, the shoe is 83.1 mm wide, making it significantly wider than average.
Nano X3 Adventure | 83.1 mm |
Average | 78.3 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
The tongue of the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure was not at all gusseted. It allowed us to move much more freely.
It was also thanks to the not connected tongue that our feet were able to breathe somehow, given that the upper material was pretty closed-off.
Nano X3 Adventure | None |
Comfort
Tongue padding
The tongue was of average thickness. Our calliper measured it to be 4.4 mm thick.
It felt quite OK on top of the foot, and we did not have problems with it.
Nano X3 Adventure | 4.4 mm |
Average | 5.4 mm |
Heel tab
The shoe had a finger-loop heel tab that made putting on and taking off the shoe quite easy.
Nano X3 Adventure | Finger loop |
Removable insole
The removable insole was easy to get rid of when we had to free up some space, especially when the shoe felt too hot after sustained workouts.
Nano X3 Adventure | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
There were no reflective elements on the Nano X3 Adventure. For safety, it would be best to use this shoe only in well-lit spaces.
Nano X3 Adventure | No |