Reebok Nano 6.0 - Women's Review

The next version in the Nano series, the 6.0 sports the typical wider toe box design that you will find in most of the previous versions. It comes in a variety of bright colors, solid black, with gum soles, or you can customize your very own design through the Reebok website for an additional amount. The 6.0 has a 4mm heel to toe rise.

Performance Comparison

Weightlifting

The Nano 6.0 is fine for lifting light to moderate weights. However, at heavier loads, we weren't as happy with this version of the Nano as we were with some of the other versions of Nanos. At lighter loads, there was no problem in being able to determine where our weight was positioned on our feet. As the loads got heavier, it was more difficult to tell if we needed to make corrections to our balance as our feet were shifting in the toe box, and the insole was as well. Our testers felt that the stability was lacking when it came to lifting in these shoes.

Running

While we aren't searching for the perfect running shoe, you do need a shoe to handle some moderate distance running intertwined with lifting or bodyweight movements in your everyday shoe for CrossFit. One of the long-standing complaints about the Nano shoes is the very wide toe box. Reebok trimmed down on that width with the 5.0 but has gone back to a slightly wider toe in the 6.0 version. This wide toe box design might be one reason our testers did not prefer this shoe for running workouts; we felt there was just a little too much sloppiness in the fit for a good running shoe. The forefoot was flexible for running, but overall the shoes felt clunky on anything more than a 400m run.

Sensitivity

In a good shoe for CrossFit, we look for a shoe that can give us good feedback during Powerlifting and Olympic lifting movements. For instance, are we leaning too far forward or pulling back to hard? The right shoe can translate that movement well to the athlete and help them find balance. We gave the Nano 6.0 an average score for sensitivity. The outsole is a solid platform that plants well during lifts but was lacking during rebounding movements like double unders, burpees, and box jumps. The feedback during these movements made these shoes feel like they were separate from the movement, rather than moving with our feet in unison. We much preferred the newest face in the CrossFit game, the NOBULL Trainer, regarding sensitivity.

Support

Shoe manufacturers have a tough job of trying to blend the perfect shoe that can be worn for weightlifting, running, box jumps, and everything in between. CrossFit shoes need enough support for lifts, yet still have enough cushion and flexibility for running. Reebok made some updates on the fit as compared to the 5.0, making these fit the foot more anatomically and naturally. Our testers loved the heel shape and cushion and noted they felt zero slip during workouts.

Protection and Durability

In the search for a suitable shoe for CrossFit, you want to make sure your new shoes can handle some tough conditions. Insert Reebok 6.0's keyword here, Kevlar. Reebok infused parts of the upper with Kevlar to prevent the fabric on the shoe from rips and tears. They also added a "DuraGrip" layer to the toe box to add protection during CrossFit movements in your WOD like burpees, toes to bar, and sled pushes. Our testers found that the only downside to this is the synthetic overlay on the toe box starting to separate from the mesh.

Rope climbs are the true test for any CrossFit shoe as the friction caused as the rope slides on shoes can really tear up the instep as well as the soles. The Nano 6.0 employs razor edge tread patterns on the forefoot in combination with their "RopePro" technology. The 6.0 had a nice bite on the rope during climbs with very little damage to the midsole from abrasion.

Breathability

Nobody likes hot feet in the middle of a workout, so we paid close attention to breathability during our testing. We put these shoes through the wringer in the hot, dry climate of Colorado in the summer. Our feet got hot in these shoes, resulting in one of our lowest-rated shoes for breathability. It could be the combination of Kevlar and the textured synthetic material of the uppers, but these shoes gave very little breathing room.

Comfort

Comfort, of course, is very subjective in a shoe for CrossFit. Our shoe testers ranked the Nano 6.0 lower on the comfort scale, and these shoes just didn't seem to move very well with our feet. There is a hard plastic piece that wraps around the heel cup that does not give at all when leaning your weight from side to side in a lateral lunge, for instance. More than one reviewer noted that when standing in them for long periods, their two smallest toes would go numb. The Nano 6.0 does have a spacious forefoot that allows your foot to breathe and move while keeping your heel in place; one of the plus sides to the 6.0 is the lack of a break-in period. Our tester reports putting these on and feeling great right out of the box and into the gym.

Value

The Nano 6.0 is one of the more expensive shoes in our review, and isn't a home run for the price, according to our testers. If you need to keep your costs down, check out our Best Buy. We feel that you should have a more comfortable shoe overall when spending this much money on a shoe for CrossFit.

Conclusion

Continuing in Reebok's Nano series, the 6.0 has returned to the wide Nano toe box that they are known for. The Kevlar-reinforced upper, in combination with the razor edge "RopePro" technology, is a great improvement for helping our feet bite down during rope climbs. Unfortunately, the material did show some wear and tear, and the toe box started to peel after a few workouts. If you are searching for a shoe that can stand up to light lifts, bodyweight movements, and some short runs, then the Nano 6.0 will do the trick. We just hope they will bring back the Nano 2.0 someday!