Tom's Guide Verdict
The Reebok Nano X5 is like a footballer finally finding their feet at a new club. Reebok has built a spacious, well-rounded “little bit of everything” cross training shoe that steers away from the more aggressive Nano X4 and closer toward a shoe we’d choose for most lifting and HIIT activities.
Pros
- +
Wider fit than X4s
- +
Versatile
- +
Spacious
- +
Great stability
Cons
- -
Expensive
- -
Unsuitable for longer runs
- -
Minor bunching around the forefoot
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When Reebok recently released its Nano X5, I had my doubts. I love the Reebok Nano X4 cross training shoe but it divides crowds; I find the mid and outsole stability lends itself more to a weightlifting shoe than out-and-out cross training, which means you can do less with it.
However, having spent some time training in the Reebok Nano X5s, I think this is Reebok’s best iteration of the Nano series yet. Comfier, more flexible, and therefore, more versatile, than its predecessor, the Nano X5 elevates the line-up with a new dual response midsole and decoupled metasplit outsole which allows its wearer to lift heavy, run, jump and everything in between.
If you’re thinking about buying into the Nano series for the first time or looking to upgrade, here are my thoughts on the latest Nano X5 shoe. Can it make it into our line-up of the best cross training shoes?
Reebok Nano X5: Price and availability
The Reebok Nano X5 will be available on Jan 24, 2025, starting at $140 on the Reebok website in a range of sizes and colorways for men and women. If you already own Nanos, I’d stick to the same size; I find the series generally comes up tight but the X5 is far roomier than the X4, so you’ll unlikely need to size up.
Reebok Nano X5: Design and fit
As mentioned, the Nanos tend to come up tight, so I would stick to the same size if you’ve owned a pair before. If you can, heading into a store to try the shoe is your best bet, but if that’s not possible and you choose to buy online, I recommend checking the retailer’s refund policy before purchasing.
Upper
The Flexweave upper design is by far my favorite upgrade to the Nano X5, making the shoe feel more flexible and pliable than the X4. In fact, in the short time I’ve been testing this shoe, I’ve worn it probably double the amount I ever wore the X4 to CrossFit classes.
It feels more natural to move and more responsive to plantar flexion and dorsi flexion of the foot during movement. It’s been upgraded to a DuPont Kevlar-infused mesh overlay, and the shoe feels extremely lightweight, breathable yet durable for it.
Midsole
The CMEVA compression molded foam provides ample cushioning without losing the stability the Nano series has become known for. A polyurethane NanoShell provides “extra defense” to prevent midsole abrasion and support for your feet during weightlifting.
I think Reebok has struck the balance well between cushioning and stability. While the X4 is definitely more geared toward weightlifting, the X5 handles exercises like jumping rope and box jumps well, and the shoe feels more responsive. This is mostly because the reworked dual response midsole makes the shoe more pliable, and it’s far better for HIIT and agility work because of it.
Outsole
The outsole provides a stable platform with plenty of grip and a neutral feel — the 7mm drop remains the same as the X4, which is 1mm more than the super stable lifting R.A.D One shoe.
The shoe’s stability, while lending itself well to functional lifting and cross training, wouldn’t suit runs over 1 or 2km, because the base feels noticeably flat and solid with less arch than before and minimal heel lift.
However, the tread design provides serious grip underfoot and can easily handle sweaty CrossFit box floors and the agility required for shuttle runs.
That said, of all the Nano series, this is the shoe you’d choose for a WOD that features running and explosive movement. I’d also recommend this shoe for running over the Nike Metcon range any day of the week. The heel is dense enough to provide stability during weightlifting without being so dense that you can’t do anything other than lift.
Overall, the outsole feels less aggressive and more forgiving than the Nano X4, with more give and less of an arch. Coupled with the plusher midsole, responsive enough when you press down through the shoe, you get the best of both worlds.
Reebok Nano X5: Performance
I wasn’t feeling too confident going into testing, but I’m really enjoying training in the X5. I haven’t had any problems with heel protection and I’m virtually obsessed with the roomy toebox which allows me to fully splay my toes and bed down in the shoe for lifts like squats and deadlifts.
I find the Nano X4s a little suffocating at times; I stuck to the same shoe size when testing the X5s, and this iteration is wider, more spacious, and more comfortable thanks to the upgrade to its upper flexibility and toe box alone.
Tying these on, you instantly get the impression you can do more. The combination of cushioning and a stable foot-floor connection makes the shoe responsive, which is exactly what I’m looking for going into CrossFit workouts.
Then, you have the RopePro carbon rubber wrap with an integrated grip pattern that wraps the heel and extends to the outer and medial sides of the shoe, giving you more grip on rope climbs.
I haven’t been able to test the shoe on rope climbs just yet, but I’ll update this review when I do. I’m curious to see how they fare, given the wrap is thinner and lower on this shoe than the extended wrap of the Nike Metcon 9 that runs up the sides of the shoe. Plus, the flexi upper feels robust but I like my sneakers to take a beating during workouts, so I'm keen to test how long they last.
What I do like is that the rope guard doesn't impact multidirectional movement while still supporting your feet.
I've noticed some bunching around the forefoot when lifting my heels away from the floor and moving toward my toes, but whether this will impact durability, only time will tell. I think for most people, the midsole will hold during heavier lifts without too much compression.
Reebok clearly decided on a glow-up while designing the latest Nano iteration, and the shoe truly works. It might not be my top shout for CrossFit classes — the R.A.D One still gets my pick — but I’ve slipped these on far more often than I expected to.
Reebok Nano X5 Verdict
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I unboxed the Nano X5, but this is Reebok’s best effort yet. This shoe feels light, strong and flexible with great foot-ground stability and a flat feel for technical Olympic lifting and weightlifting in general.
It’s also more versatile, so if you’re looking for a cross training shoe that handles more of the day-to-day, I’d choose this version of the Nano rather than its predecessors.
It fits better, handles more and improves in most areas. If you’re investing for the first time and want to save money, the Reebok Nano X2 has a wider fit more similar to the X5 than the narrower X4 and could save you some dollars, but if you’re happy to part with the cash, I’d recommend the X5.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for an out-and-out weightlifting shoe, I’d check out our cross training shoe vs weightlifting shoe guide first to see which we recommend at TG.
Overall, the Reebok Nano X5 shoe will serve you well rotating between short effort runs and other work. It's not the best CrossFit shoe around, but it's well-rounded and can handle a bit of everything from everyday wear to heavy lifts, but unlikely maximal strength lifting. If you're wider-footed, lifters and everyday gym-goers can enjoy this sneaker, and I think it'll divide the crowds far less than the Nano X4.
If you know your Nano shoes and enjoyed the Nano X2, you'll likely enjoy the X5.
