Nike Metcon 9 vs Reebok Nano X4
Nike Metcon 9 wins — Nike Metcon 9 wins for serious CrossFit athletes who squat and deadlift heavy and climb ropes regularly
Scores: Nike Metcon 9 9/10 · Reebok Nano X4 8/10
Nike Metcon 9 wins for serious CrossFit athletes who squat and deadlift heavy and climb ropes regularly. Reebok Nano X4 wins for cardio-dominant athletes who want lighter, cushioned performance at $10 less. If you're competing in CrossFit or regularly lifting over 80% 1RM, Metcon. If most of your training is conditioning, Nano.
Nike Metcon 9 lists at $150 while Reebok Nano X4 lists at $140 — Reebok Nano X4 undercuts Nike Metcon 9 by $10 (7%).
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Nike Metcon 9 | Reebok Nano X4 |
|---|
| heel | Hard rubber heel wrap for rope climbing | Firm heel with slightly more flex than Metcon |
|---|
| sole | Flat, ultra-stable sole — 4mm drop | Flat Floatride Energy Foam midsole |
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| cushioning | React foam in forefoot | Floatride Energy Foam — more cushion than Metcon |
|---|
| upper | Textured TPU for lateral stability | Engineered mesh with TPU overlays |
|---|
| weight | 12.3 oz (men's 10) | 11.5 oz (men's 10) |
|---|
| rope_grip | Integrated rope grip on midfoot | — |
|---|
Nike Metcon 9
What works
- Integrated rope climbing grip on the midfoot is purpose-built — no other training shoe grips a rope as securely
- Ultra-rigid heel plate eliminates sway during heavy back squats and deadlifts — stable platform for max-effort lifts
- Nike React forefoot foam provides just enough cushioning for box jumps without compromising ground feel during lifting
What doesn't
- Stiffer sole than Nano X4 — less comfortable for runs over 800m within a workout
- Heavier at 12.3 oz — noticeable during long metcons with running components
- Sizing runs small — order half a size up from your street shoe size
Reebok Nano X4
What works
- Floatride Energy Foam provides more cushioning than Metcon 9 — better for high-rep jump rope, double-unders, and long-distance running workouts
- 0.8 oz lighter than Metcon — perceptible advantage in workouts with extensive cardio
- $10 cheaper than Metcon 9 with similar durability
What doesn't
- Less stable under extremely heavy barbell loads (>90% 1RM squats) — Metcon's rigid heel provides a more solid base
- No dedicated rope climbing grip — rope climbs require more upper body grip compensation
- Flexslot forefoot grooves occasionally collect chalk dust in gym environments
Bottom line
Our pick: Nike Metcon 9.
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