Reebok Nano X5 Review: Reebok’s Most Complete CrossFit Shoe

The varied nature of CrossFit makes it challenging to design a shoe that works for any workout. CrossFit shoes must be stable for weightlifting, flexible enough for plyometric workouts, cushioned enough to be comfortable on a run, and durable enough to withstand rope abrasion and prevent sidewall blowouts during lateral movements. 

The result is an entire shoe industry that comes so close to hitting the mark. Even the best CrossFit shoes tend to lean more toward stability for lifting, sacrificing comfort during run WODs. So, as I laced up the new Reebok Nano X5 ($140) for a workout that started with a half-mile run, I was fully prepared for discomfort. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. And that was just the first of many pleasant surprises with these shoes. 

In short: By (rightfully) placing stability and support for weightlifting at its forefront, cushioning and forefoot flexibility are usually sacrificed. As a result, it’s an accepted fact that CrossFit shoes aren’t comfortable to run in. But with its 15th iteration, Reebok has gotten the Nano closer to perfection than anyone else — it offers excellent stability for lifting, durable sidewalls, and enough cushioning to bust out a few miles in comfort.

Reebok Nano X5 Review

Brand Background

The original CrossFit shoe, Reebok Nanos are synonymous with the sport of fitness. Built to bridge the gap between all fitness modalities, Nanos have had varying degrees of success, but their consistency has made them a mainstay in every gym that applies constantly varied workouts. 

It can be hard to come up with something new after 15 versions. Still, the new midsole and forefoot make the Nano X5 an excellent runner without sacrificing support or stability. 

How I Tested the Nano X5

I wore these shoes for 2 months (so far) of training six days a week. These workouts entailed heavy lifting, burpees, box jumps, rope climbs, and every other movement that can pop up in a CrossFit workout. And, yes, that includes running. I ran everything from 100m shuttle runs to mile-long road runs in the Nano, and they were responsive and comfortable throughout. 

What’s New

The Nano X5 has a similar silhouette to the X4, but the toe box is noticeably wider. This will probably be a welcome surprise to anyone who values a spacious toe box and thought the X4s were a little constraining. 

Underfoot, Reebok replaced its Floatride Energy Foam with a new DUALRESPONSE EVA midsole. Combined with Reebok’s Lift and Run Chassis System, this midsole provides the most balanced support and cushioning I’ve yet experienced. The heel is on the wider side for stability during explosive and lateral movements. 

For this version, the FLEXWEAVE upper has patterning on the toe box, adding some flexibility and a good amount of stretch. It also adds a nice aesthetic touch. 

Good Reps

As a lifting shoe, the X5 delivers. The firm heel offered plenty of support during heavy cleans and snatches, and my feet felt planted and set during heavy squats and split jerks. Of course, they’re not as stiff and stable as a pair of dedicated weightlifting shoes, but they’re great for any workout that includes some barbell work. 

The arch and midsole are much more flexible than the Nano X4, especially during burpees, box jumps, and double-unders. There’s plenty of bounce, and the grippy outsole delivers sure footing upon landing. This is especially important during broad jumps when landings can be … sketchy.

But what really makes them stand out is how they feel on runs. The toe box is slightly elevated — it’s not rockered, but it’s enough to provide a gait that’s more rolling than clunky, which is a lot more than we can say for just about any other CrossFit shoe, let alone one that provides stability like this one. 

Picking Nits

While the Nano X5 is nearly perfect, it still has a few quibbles. The FLEXWEAVE upper is durable, but it’s not impervious to harm — I noticed some light fraying after a few rope climb workouts. It’s not significant enough to have me doubt the shoe’s durability over the long haul, but it did look less pretty after some abuse. 

The wider heel and grippy outsole provide excellent stability during heavy lifts and jumps. However, they did take some getting used to on one specific movement — box step overs.

I use a crossover method when performing box step overs, and I found that the extra heel volume and sticky outsole had a way of catching the top of the box as I stepped over. I almost tumbled off the top of the box a few times. After the first few rounds, I adjusted my steps to accommodate the bigger heel, but there were some close calls at first. 

Finally, while this shoe runs better than any other shoe I’ve tried, it’s still not a running shoe. It felt light and speedy on runs up to 1 mile, but after that, it started to feel a bit more slappy on the pavement as I fatigued and reverted to more of a heel strike. Realistically, you shouldn’t have to run more than a mile in any given WOD, so it’s not a huge issue, but you’ll still want a separate pair of shoes for track days. 

Reebok Nano X5 Review: Final Thoughts

Finding a CrossFit shoe that can do everything well in the gym without sacrificing comfort during short runs has been a pipe dream for CrossFitters since the sport’s invention. Even Reebok, a company that’s been making shoes for CrossFit longer than any other brand, hasn’t been able to find that balance — until now. 

The Reebok Nano X5 has become the shoe I wear to the gym for every workout, thanks to the mix of forefoot flexibility and slight rocker for a comfortable run stride and a firm, stable heel for support during lifts. Add a more spacious toe box and grippy outsole, and you’ve got a shoe that can do a little bit of everything — just like the athletes it’s made for.