Reebok Nano X5 Review

The Nano is the shoe that started the CrossFit shoe category, and the X5 arrived to mark 15 years of the line. Reebok’s goal, in the words of its product director, was to create the most comfortable Nano of all time without compromising on performance. That is a sensible target, because the hardest thing about a training shoe is balancing two opposite jobs: staying firm and flat under a barbell and staying soft and flexible for everything else.

The X5 tackles that with a midsole Reebok calls DualResponse. Instead of one foam doing everything, it uses a firmer foam under the heel and a softer foam under the forefoot. In practice, that means a steadier base when you lift and a kinder landing when you jump.

This review is research-based. We cover what Reebok says the shoe does, what that means in an everyday gym session and who would be happier in something else.

Reebok Nano X5 men’s training shoe in white, black and red. Image: Amazon

Specs

Here are the specifications for the Reebok Nano X5:

Pros

• Firmer heel foam keeps you stable for squats, deadlifts and cleans.
• Softer forefoot makes box jumps, lunges and skipping more comfortable.
• The split outsole lets the shoe bend with your foot during runs and jumps.
• Tough woven upper that stands up to rope climbs and burpees.
• Comfortable enough for long classes, not just quick lifting sessions.

Cons

• Fairly heavy, so longer runs feel clumsy.
• No wide version listed, which limits it for broad feet.
• Foam-based heel is less rigid than a lifting shoe for serious Olympic lifts.
• Too firm at the heel to be a comfortable all-day walking shoe.

How the Nano X5 balances lifting and everything else

Every training shoe faces the same tug of war. A heavy squat wants a firm, flat platform that does not squash under load, so your strength goes into the floor. A box jump, a set of lunges or a 200 meter run wants foam that gives a little and a sole that bends.

Reebok’s answer in the X5 is to split the job. Its DualResponse midsole puts firmer foam under your heel, where your weight sits during squats and deadlifts, so the shoe stays level instead of sinking or tilting. Up front, a softer foam takes the sting out of landings and repeated lunges. Reebok sums it up as softer forefoot comfort for jumping and firmer heel stability for lifting, and that is a fair description of what you should feel.

The second piece is the outsole. Reebok calls it a decoupled MetaSplit design, meaning the rubber under the forefoot is split into separate sections rather than one solid slab. For you, that means the front of the shoe flexes more naturally when you push off, jump or run, while the heel stays planted.

Rounding things out, the Flexweave upper is a tightly woven material that resists abrasion from rope climbs, burpees and sled pushes while still letting some air through. A padded collar keeps the ankle comfortable during jumps and long sessions.

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Who should buy the Reebok Nano X5

The Nano X5 is for people who want one shoe that handles a whole gym session without being an extreme specialist in any one direction.

• CrossFit and functional fitness athletes whose workouts combine barbells, rope climbs, box jumps and short runs.
• Gym class regulars doing HIIT, bootcamp and circuits who want comfort for an hour of moving, jumping and lunging.
• Recreational lifters who squat and deadlift in their workouts and want a steadier heel than a running shoe gives.
• Anyone who found earlier training shoes too stiff and wants a friendlier, more cushioned feel up front.

If your sessions are varied and you would rather not switch shoes halfway through, the X5 covers the whole workout well.

Who should probably skip it

Skip the Nano X5 if running is a big part of your training. At around 12 ounces, it is heavy for anything beyond short intervals, and a running shoe will feel far better on longer efforts. Skip it too if you compete in Olympic weightlifting, because a firm foam heel cannot match the rigid, raised heel of a dedicated lifting shoe. And if you mostly walk, stand or use cardio machines, you do not need a cross-trainer at all.

These picks suit those readers better:

• Reebok Legacy Lifter III: a dedicated weightlifting shoe with a raised, solid heel for deep squats and Olympic lifts (check price | read review).
• Saucony Ride 19: a cushioned daily running shoe for people whose workouts lean toward running and cardio rather than barbells (check price | read review).
• Skechers Go Walk 8: a light, cushioned walking shoe for everyday walks and long days on your feet (check price | read review).

Not sure whether you need a training shoe or a running shoe? Our guide to training shoes vs. running shoes explains the difference, and our Free Shoe Finder can suggest models that match how you train.

A standard fit that holds the heel and frees the forefoot

Start with your usual athletic shoe size. The Nano X5 aims for a secure heel and midfoot, so your foot stays put during lateral moves and lifts, with a forefoot that leaves room for your toes to spread when you plant your feet under a bar.

Width is the main question. Reebok lists the X5 in a standard width, and we could not find a wide version. If your feet are broad, try it on with the socks you train in and check for pressure along the outside of the forefoot when you squat and lunge. Sizing up half a size gives a bit more room but also adds length, which can let your heel lift slightly during jumps. If you regularly need a 2E or wider shoe, a model sold in true wide sizes is the safer choice.

The Flexweave upper is sturdy rather than stretchy. That is good news for durability and for holding your foot over the platform, but it means the shoe will not loosen up much across a broad forefoot over time.

If you use custom orthotics, check the fit with them in place. Training shoes have less spare volume inside than cushioned running shoes, and a thick insert can make the heel feel shallow.

Reebok Nano X5 women’s training shoe in white, aqua and red. Image: Amazon

In the gym, the X5 favors comfort without giving up stability

Under a barbell, the firmer heel foam gives you a steady, level base for squats, deadlifts and presses. It does not feel as rock-hard as a shoe with a rigid plastic plate, so very heavy lifters may notice a touch more give, but for general strength training inside a mixed workout it keeps you planted. The 7 mm drop means your heel sits a little higher than your toes, a moderate setup that sits between flat lifting shoes and higher-heeled running shoes.

The forefoot is where the X5 shines. The softer foam cushions box jump landings and makes high-rep lunges, skipping and burpees more comfortable, and the split outsole helps the shoe bend with your foot instead of fighting it. For long classes, that adds up to less fatigue in the feet.

Short runs within a workout are manageable. Over a 200 or 400 meter shuttle, the flexible forefoot helps. Over longer distances, the weight and firmer heel start to make it feel like what it is: a gym shoe.

Grip comes from the rubber outsole, which is built for gym floors, turf and rubber matting. The Flexweave upper is built to resist the scuffing that comes with rope climbs and sled work. Wear on a training shoe depends far more on what you do in it than on miles, so replace it when the heel starts to feel less stable or the outsole grip fades.

Reebok Nano X5 training shoe alternate view. Image: Amazon

Is the Reebok Nano X5 good for walking?

For short walks, yes. The softer forefoot and flexible outsole make the X5 more pleasant to walk in than very rigid lifting-focused trainers, so walking to the gym, running errands or standing between sets is fine.

For long walks or a full day on your feet, it is not the best tool. The firmer heel that helps under a barbell does not absorb heel strikes the way a cushioned walking shoe does, and at around 12 ounces it is heavier than most walking shoes. If you want one shoe for walking and light gym sessions, a cushioned walking or running shoe is a better compromise. See our picks for the best walking shoes.

If you have heel pain or plantar fasciitis, be careful with any firm-heeled training shoe for long periods. Comfort varies from foot to foot, and persistent pain is worth having checked by a podiatrist or physical therapist.

Nano X5 or Nano X5 Edge?

In late 2025, Reebok added the Nano X5 Edge, a refreshed version built on the same platform. Here is how they compare.

Buy the original Nano X5 if you want the proven version and the lower launch price. Choose the X5 Edge if the fit of the original upper did not quite work for you or you train in hot gyms and want more breathability.

If your training leans more toward heavy lifting, compare the Nike Metcon 10 review and cross-training shoe guide.

Reebok Nano X5 Alternatives

If the X5 is close but not quite right, these trade-offs are worth considering.

The Nike Metcon 10 is the main rival. It uses a rigid Hyperlift plate under the heel, so it feels even more locked down for heavy lifts, and Nike’s ReactX foam makes jumps comfortable too. Choose it if lifting stability matters more to you than forefoot softness (check price).

The Nobull Trainer+ keeps things simple with a flat, firm platform, a roomy toe box and a tough, abrasion-resistant upper. It suits lifters who like to feel the floor and do not need much cushioning for jumps (check price).

The Under Armour TriBase Reign 6 is lower to the ground and more flexible. It keeps you close to the floor for lifting and bends easily for lunges and sled work, which suits people who prefer a minimal, grounded feel (check price).

Price and value

The Nano X5 launched at $140 in January 2025, in line with other premium cross-training shoes. For that, you get a two-zone midsole, a flexible split outsole and a durable woven upper built for hard training.

It is good value if you train several times a week and your workouts are varied. It replaces the need for separate lifting and conditioning shoes for most recreational athletes, and its tough build should hold up to months of regular use.

It is less good value if your training is mostly running, cardio machines or light weights. In that case, you are paying for lifting stability you will not use, and a running or walking shoe will serve you better.

Final verdict

Best for: CrossFit, HIIT and gym class regulars who want one comfortable, stable shoe for lifting, jumping and short runs.

Avoid if: You run longer distances, compete in Olympic lifting or need a true wide width.

Fit: True to your usual athletic size, secure heel and midfoot, standard width only.

Verdict: The Reebok Nano X5 is one of the most comfortable, well-balanced training shoes you can buy. Its split-personality midsole gives you a steady heel for lifting and a kinder forefoot for everything else, making it an easy pick for varied workouts. Check the latest price.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Reebok Nano X5