Equipment review - Reebok Crossfit Nano

To start off, I’d like to clarify that I am reviewing two different shoes here, and I’m doing so from having used them myself over the last 2 years.
When I started intensifying my training regime about 2010, I decided to ensure I was using the correct kit, equipment and footwear for what I was about to embark on.
 
​At the time, I owned a couple of gym shoes - a pair for Adidas squash shoes, and a pair of Saucony ones for every day gym use as well as road running. I soon realised that neither of the above shoes would be ideal for High Intensity Plyometric sessions, which was what I had found out would be the best way for me to achieve my goals at the time.

My Now Retired Air Max TRs

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My first purchase with this in mind was a pair of Nike Max TR’s. Now these trainers turned out to be quite comfortable for everyday use in a HIIIT class, and also during my self-designed high impact circuit sessions. They did however seem quite heavy and I did find that I wasn’t moving as fluidly as I would have liked to and also found that I was having to make allowances for the weight in the sole each time I did a Plyo jump (not ideal when you’re in the middle of a fast paced workout!). Don’t get me wrong, they did serve a purpose, and safe to say they helped me through the initial stages of my fitness regime but I thought I needed to find something that suited me better.
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Reebok Crossfit Nano
 
I finally decided to do more research on shoes most people were wearing for Insanity workouts across the globe, and came across a few blogs that suggested the best footwear would be ones that replicated training barefooted! This didn’t appeal to me (funny that!) so I kept looking, and narrowed down the options to the five Finger Glove shoes, and the Reebok Crossfit Nano 3.0
 
I was fortunate enough to be heading off to New York on holiday a few weeks after I discovered the Reebok Crossfit Nano range, and popped into an Outlet while I was away, and picked up a couple of pairs at a bargain price.  When I returned to England, I gave them a test drive during my first Insanity session, and have to say they were brilliant!!
 

My Current Multi-Coloured Collection Of Nano 3.0 & 4.0s!!

 ​The first thing I noticed was that I was completely focused on my workout, and did not have to make any kind of allowance for my footwear, and well, just got on with my workout! This was a new and truly exciting experience for me (doesn’t take a lot I know!)
I eventually ended up buying 1 more pair, and even decided to try out a pair of Nano 4.0’s, which proved to be just as comfortable, and, I now own 2 pairs of those now as well. 
Owning 5 pairs of the same trainers might seem excessive, but as I teach circuit classes 3 times a week, trained 6 times a week myself as well, I needed the choice to ensure I didn’t end up ruining one pair, and having to go out and buy new ones every couple of months.
 
3 years down the line, that strategy has served me well so far, and all 5 pairs are still ticking over nicely, and I even manage to do sprint sessions in them comfortably without having to revert back to my specialist running shoes!
 
I have since recommended them to numerous clients, friends and colleagues, and they say the same thing about how comfortable they are to use for all kinds of fitness routines. From running, to circuit classes, to just general everyday gym use.  My wife used to struggle with the arches of her feet when she trained, however after moving to Crossfit Nano's she doesn't get the pain anymore and complains less about her feet when she's training (she does however find other things to moan about).
 
I’d recommend trying out a pair of Reebok Crossfit Nano’s either 3.0 or 4.0, and see how you get on. Don’t think because of the name they’re specifically designed for Crossfit, and feel free to drop me a line if you want any more info on how I continue to get on with using them!