When it comes to CrossFit shoes, Nike’s Metcon and Reebok’s Nano ranges have been leading the way for years. In 2020, Nike launched their 6th Metcon, and Reebok their 10th Nano.

During our testing and reviewing both were found to be fantastic shoes, performing superbly in a range of activities.

Reebok was the original CrossFit shoe, launched in 2011 and now on its 10th version. Up until the Nano X, the Reebok shoe featured the official CrossFit branding. The Nano was unchallenged in the CrossFit shoe market until 2015 when Nike launched its Metcon, working with some of the sport’s top performing and most influential athletes.

Both the Nano X and Metcon 6 feature the distinctive characteristics of a training shoe designed to support weightlifting, running, and jumping activities. What this looks like in short, is a wide toe box, low heel drop and firm foam midsole. Both shoes feature an extended outsole, wrapping up the lateral and medial sides of the shoe to protect the shoe and the foot during rope climbs. Team this with durable uppers (stretchy Flexweave in the Nano and a tough but breathable upper in the Metcon) and these are two specialist, premium training shoes packed with technology and worth their price tag.

The midfoot in the both the Nano X and Metcon 6 are dual density to give a softer forefoot and firmer rearfoot. The aim of this is to give some cushioning on a short run, and add stability under the heel with lifting weights. The Nano X claims to be more ‘runnable’ than ever, and I can vouch for that. The Metcon 6 has also seen significant improvements in performance when running since the previous iterations.

Both the Nano X and Metcon 6 feature a grippy, durable extended sole wrap to protect the foot when doing rope climbs, and offer support on lateral moves in training.

Due to the nature of the training demands, there’s little outsole tread, making them less than ideal for running or training outdoors.

The heel drop from heel to the forefoot on both is 4mm, which is ideal for a training shoe. It gives a little elevation on the heel to assist with lifting, but not enough to make it feel unnatural or to hinder plyometric training.

In the Metcon 5, Nike added Hyperlift inserts to slide in under the insole to insole to add 3mm of solid density foam under your heel. These are back in the Metcon 6 and can aid with ankle mobility when lifting by increasing the heel to forefoot drop.

The Metcon 6 and Nano X both feature tough, durable uppers, designed to withstand heavy use in the gym.

The Nano X has Flexweave material, in the shape of an X, which is a super stretchy overlay, ontop of an inner, breathable bootie. The Metcon 6 is a dual layer, thick yet breathable mesh.

The heel counter height varies greatly between the two shoes, with the Nano feeling more secure, and coming higher up the ankle. A difference which is accentuated when you add in the Metcon’s hyperlift inserts. Despite the lower heel counter the Metcon 6 rubbed slightly to start with and took some wearing in before it was comfortable.

Fit wise I found a huge difference in size, and ended up with an EU 39 in the Nanos (coming up large) and EU 40.5 in the Metcons (true to size). I’m normally a EU 40 in regular shoes for comparison.

Both come in a range of colorways, with the Metcons also offering a personalized option, and special edition launches.

I actually loved both the training shoes and thought they were well worth the money. They delivered on their promises, supporting the feet superbly and looking great. If you’re wearing a running shoe to lift weights in, I’d strongly recommend swapping to one of these training shoes.

I was really pleased at the changes made in both shoes from previous versions in both performance and aesthetics. The Nano X beats the Nano 9, and the Metcon 6 beats the Metcon 5.

So onto the final: Nano X vs Metcon 6

For me the Nano X edged slightly ahead, purely down to feel on the foot, and a couple of tiny aesthetic points. Both were absolutely great performers, and I’d recommend both.

Buy the Metcon 6 if you want the option of a heel insert to increase heel to forefoot drop, a training shoe aimed specifically at CrossFit, or a personalized shoe.

Buy the Nano X if you want a comfortable fit and a superb all round performer to smash those PB’s.