Reebok’s revamped Nano X2 shoe is to gym workouts as tents are to camping: you can make it work without them, but it’s going to be uncomfortable, frustrating and may turn you off the whole endeavor entirely.
We’ve sung the praises of the Nano line before; the X1 is the Best Overall pick in our guide to the best gym shoes, and for good reason. It’s balanced, stable and stiff in all of the right ways, and none of the wrong ones. Reebok recently released the Nano X2, the latest and greatest version of the gym super-star, and claim that the updates make it a shoe you won’t want to take off, even when the dead lifts are done.
“With the Nano X2, we evolved and refined the official shoe of fitness and put the wearer front and center,” says Tal Short, Reebok senior product manager. “We wanted to provide fitness enthusiasts of all kinds a go-to training shoe option that they can take to the gym for a new PR and beyond for all-day support.”
Built to be the most wearable Nano training shoe ever released by the brand, the the Nano X2 was developed with a focus on durability and style. Reebok says the shoe is meant to go from gym workouts to everyday activities, like running errands, with ease. Here’s what I thought of the shoe.
Where the Reebok Nano X2 shines:
ReebokMuch like its predecessor, this shoe shines at the gym, particularly during HIIT workouts and lifting weights. When I used them for weighted walking lunges, I felt more balanced and steady with each step. Thanks to new features like the Flexweave knit upper and Floatride Energy Foam, the Nano X2 is lightweight, yet supportive. The durable rubber outsole maximized my traction and grip, which left me feeling more confident during my workout.
During dreaded box jumps (which I can’t stand, because I always feel like I’m on the edge of eating shit), the Nano X2 made my landings feel much more solid, and increased my overall sturdiness and balance during workouts. I loved that the shoes were lightweight and adaptable enough to handle whatever I threw at them in the gym.
