Reebok Nano X2 Adventure Review: A Wild Way to Log Your Workouts

Outdoor workouts have plenty of positives. No confined spaces. Fresh air. Plenty of Vitamin D from the sun. But sometimes, our normal gym attire isn’t suited for these open spaces. For example, while gym shoes can be great for providing support under the squat bar or moving across rubberized floors, the outsoles and uppers might not be the best for tackling tougher or grassier terrain.

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To bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor training, Reebok has unveiled an all-new training sneaker for those looking for more wild workouts. The Nano X2 Adventure builds off the already-impressive Nano X2, boasting a durable nylon ripstop upper, updated outsole and outdoor-inspired screen prints and reflective style notes.

But is this hybrid trainer capable of tackling any training scenario? Do the updated specs make this silhouette a true adventurer or simply a weekend tourist? To find out, I strapped up in these wild gym shoes for a number of disciplines, ranging from the typical gym session, to outdoor agility drills, plyometrics, short trail runs and more. Here’s what I discovered.

Reebok

Reebok Nano X2 Adventure

• $140.00 at Reebok

What’s Good About the Reebok Nano X2 Adventure?

Deeper lugs provide premium grip in outdoor training scenarios.

One of the first things I noticed about the new Nano X2 edition — outside of the eye-catching colorway — was the deeper, more rugged outsole. The tread pattern is designed for optimal outdoor traction, and believe me, it’s grippy enough for any outdoor fitness regimen. I had no issues finding my footing when performing agility drills on grassed or turf fields, and felt supported when swinging steel maces or throwing medicine balls, too. I even ventured out to a few short packed walkways and hiking trails to see how these kicks would fare, and found no issues staying upright through my treks.

You could best think of the Nano X2 Adventure as the all-terrain version of the traditional Nano X2. While you can get by with normal tread, these updated sneakers just make it a much easier, more enjoyable experience.

Ben Emminger

The ripstop upper is more than durable enough for confident hiking and (short) trail runs.

I was already a fan of the breathable Flexweave knit upper of the Nano X2, but I wouldn’t necessarily consider it to be an outdoor-ready build. The nylon ripstop upper of the X2 Adventure, however, is more than capable of taking on the wild. The material easily defended against branches and overgrown trailways when hiking through some less-than-stellar routes. Additionally, I never noticed any scarring or deterioration when scraping across turf or grass. The synthetic overlays across the toe box were also nice additions to help maintain that impressive, clean silhouette.

Ben Emminger

Ben Emminger

What’s Less Than Ideal About the Reebok Nano X2 Adventure?

There’s not a lot of breathability baked into this silhouette.

While the nylon ripstop upper kept plenty of obstacles out of the shoe, it didn’t do too much in letting in refreshing air. When on-pavement workouts lasted more than an hour, or when my trail runs crossed the 3-mile mark, I began to feel my feet clamoring for some much-needed ventilation. For this reason, I’d often find myself packing an extra pair of sandals to wear post-training, just to give my feet some time to breathe.

While I don’t think this is an absolute dealbreaker for the Nano X2 Adventure — they do provide some breathability — I do think its worth mentioning, especially for individuals that favor longer outdoor training sessions.

Ben Emminger

The revamped boot construction can allow for rocks and debris to get into your kicks.

The Nano X2 Adventure also showcases a different boot design than its X2 predecessor, with an updated heel collar for enhanced comfort. This feature adds some plush and coziness when you’re out and about, but there’s an added seam at the ankle, which can create a crease and opening when running. I noticed this most when traversing downhill trails, as I began to see a slight space between the shoe’s boot and my ankle.

While this design isn’t uncomfortable, it does leave room for errant rocks and debris to get inside your sneaker. If you’re running or hiking on looser terrain, this could lead to some inconveniences underfoot.

Reebok Nano X2 Adventure: The Verdict

These outdoor-ready training shoes are exceptional for taking your agility training, plyometrics and strength workouts outside. The Nano X2 Adventures are also capable footwear options for light hikes and short trail runs, but outside of these disciplines, I wouldn’t recommend them for pushing the absolute limits of fitness. They’re suitable for a variety of modalities, but not necessarily a master at one particular style.

Starting today, the Nano X2 Adventure is available online for $140, just $5 more than the traditional Nano X2. If you’re looking for a trainer with a little more bite and little more durability, these could be a great option. Will they help you conquer the most technical trail runs? No. Can they be an enjoyable hybrid giving your workouts some room to roam outdoors? Resoundingly, yes.

Reebok

Reebok Nano X2 Adventure

• $140.00 at Reebok

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