Reebok Nano X2 Review

The latest in Reebok’s long-running line looks similar to the previous generation, with just a few minor tweaks. But as soon as I slipped them on I noticed the improved comfort, which makes the Reebok Nano X2 a cut above.

There’s an old saying: “Invest in your shoes and your sheets, because if you’re not in one then you’re in the other”, and the Reebok Nano X2 is a trainer that’s worth investing in and a shoo-in for Coach’s best gym trainers round-up.

The Reebok Nano X2 looks good, feels good and is a versatile gym shoe, which I discovered wearing it for a range of workouts.

Reebok Nano X2: Price And Availability

The Reebok Nano X2 was released in April 2022 and costs $135 in the US and £110 in the UK, which is the same as the X1 in the US and £10 more in the UK. It’s not especially cheap, but par for the course for marquee gym trainers. The Nike Metcon 7, for instance, is similarly priced. 

The Reebok Nano X2 is available direct from Reebok US and Reebok UK as well as a selection of third-party retailers. 

Reebok Nano X1 Vs Reebok Nano X2: What’s New

Reebok has made a few updates to the Reebok Nano X2, the 12th shoe in the line.

A Floatride Energy Foam midsole is used in both the Nano X1 and the Nano X2, so the level of cushioning is pretty much the same, although the general shape also looks a little different and I prefer the look of the Reebok Nano X2 for day-to-day wear.

The heel of the Reebok Nano X2 has more padding, and the heel clip is also lower than the Reebok Nano X1. Both pairs of shoes have an upper made from Flexweave knit; this is breathable and allows for some movement in the toe area without going overboard, maintaining a level of stability. 

There’s a brilliant range of colourways for both the Nano X1 and the Nano X2 – the white, blue and yellow colourway is gorgeous.

Between the two, I’d lean towards the Reebok Nano X2 because it’s slightly comfier and I felt more all-round support while working out. Comfort is key, especially as I tend to wear my trainers to the gym, and then for hours after. 

Design Of The Reebok Nano X2

I reviewed the Reebok Nano X2 in the black and white colourway, which I love. The shoes look stylish and they go with all my gym outfits. The colourway might not seem like it should be of importance, but it is: working out in style can help with motivation (there’s even research behind it) and it means you can head out after training without the need to change. If I was to compare the Reebok Nano X2 with other gym shoes such as the NoBull trainers, or Nike SuperRep, these win hands down. I also love the look of the heel on the Reebok Nano X2 because it’s not too chunky.

In my usual size, the foot length was perfect. However, although there wasn’t stacks of space down the sides, there was enough space for my feet to slip a little when I moved between exercises. When I boxed for example, I didn’t get 100% foot stability. Often I find that I need to go down half a size in Reebok’s shoes, but I suspect I’d have found a size 5.5 too short. 

The laces of the Reebok Nano X2 feel quite cheap. They’re very thin and short, and noticeably lower in quality than the laces on, say, the Nike SuperRep. Double-knotting my laces wasn’t too easy – anyone with bigger fingers would struggle.

Is The Reebok Nano X2 Good For CrossFit And HIIT Training?

The Reebok Nano X2 is designed for CrossFit and HIIT workouts, but when I wore them for a CrossFit workout, I felt my foot sliding a bit. I didn’t have the total support I needed when I was flitting between the treadmill, the assault bike and the barbell, and halfway through a run segment, my (double-knotted) laces came undone, which was annoying. 

Having said this, my foot was comfortable throughout the entire workout; even though I wore these with a huge, huge blister on my heel, they didn’t rub and I felt no pain, which is saying something! The added heel support seems to have made the difference.

The Floatride Energy Foam midsole offers a little bounce for plyometric-style moves. Perhaps I should have opted for a smaller size but I may then have faced the wrath of too-tight shoe syndrome, which is never fun.

Is The Reebok Nano X2 Good For Resistance Training?

The Reebok Nano X2 is great for weighted moves. I tend to take my trainers off when I get into the squat rack because most of the shoes I wear don’t offer the stability and support I need, especially when I increase the weight and I have to make sure that my lower body, back and torso are stable.

However, thanks to the sturdy heel of the Reebok Nano X2, I happily kept them on during my squat rack session. My ankles felt supported, and there was no sliding around so I could push through my heels to rise knowing that my hips weren’t slipping to the side, which they often do. 

The updated midsole in the Reebok Nano X2 was also notable because it meant my feet felt cushioned. Although the shoes don’t hug my feet tightly, the box-style toe area did allow me to spread my toes a little when squatting so I could increase my surface area for better stability. 

Is The Reebok Nano X2 Good For Running?

The Reebok Nano X2 is not designed for runners. It can handle short, sharp runs, but not your Sunday 10K. The heel is fairly tough and although the shoe does flex, there’s not as much bend in the toe area as you would find in a running trainer. (If that’s what you’re after, try our selection of the best running shoes.)

However, I incorporate short treadmill running stints into my gym workouts and I found the Reebok Nano X2 to be more comfortable than other training shoes I’ve worn, which can be too hard. In fact, there is a little bit of bounce (although nothing like the well-cushioned bounce you get from running shoes), so my 2.5km run was comfortable. I wouldn’t run much further in these trainers though.

I also went for a long walk in the Reebok Nano X2 trainers and they were seriously comfortable. I could have worn them all day.

Is The Reebok Nano X2 Worth It?

Yes, the Reebok Nano X2 is worth buying. The shoe is comfortable, quite soft inside and will work well on the gym floor. It’s fine for short runs done as part of a bigger workout – just don’t expect the X2s to double-up as long-distance running shoes as well.

The shoe itself is super-comfortable and I wore a pair for several hours without noticing any rubbing or discomfort. I also found the X2 more comfortable than the X1, which may be down to the changes to the heel.

I’ve tried several other training shoes, in particular the Nike Metcon. I find it a little stiffer, which is great for the gym floor and to help with foot stability, but if you want to do anything impactful like running or box jumps (I love box jumps), then the Metcon can be a little tough. On the other hand, the Metcon fit well and hug my feet, whilst the Reebok Nano X2 proved a little slippy in tests and didn’t wrap around my feet tightly.

All in all, the Nano X2 is a practical, comfortable shoe that I’d recommend for gym-based workouts and general wear.