I wear an 11 in just about every other Nike shoe – and shoes from other brands like Reebok, UA, etc.) The Reebok Nano X uses the same split-outsole that was on the Reebok Nano 9. Flat, all-rubber, and tons of grip. The Nike Metcon 6 also carries forward the outsole from the 5. Both are good, but the Metcon 6 has more rope climbing potential – I think. The hyperlift goes under the midsole – and when it’s in place it gives you more heel raise. Great for squats, thrusters, and pistols. These types of accessory exercises are super important for runners looking to improve their speeds or prevent injuries (which is everyone right?!) and the typical running shoe just doesn’t cut it.

FlyEase works exactly as described by Nike, just consider whether you really need this capability – because you are going to sacrifice a little bit of secure fit for it. The aim was to guide runners who are working out in a gym environment or doing any strength training to choose the right shoe for their exercise programs.If you’re a harsh heel striker, the firm heel is far from ideal, but the sole does offer some cushioning, the shoe stays put on the foot, and I managed to get in some speedy sprints in them, both on a treadmill and outdoors. This shoe has an all-new upper, and it’s very breathable. Nike claims it is 18% more breathable than the Nike Metcon 5.

Metcon 6 let’s the light shine through (see it in the toe area?). The 5’s upper is two layers, and quite dense – no sunlight shines in. Nike says the 6 is 18% more breathable – but I’m guessing it might be much more than that. Changes in the heel are cosmetic only. The 6 has the big Metcon M and a different texture, but the TPU heel clip and relatively low collar are still present. The fit was true to size- I went ½ size smaller than my Nike running shoes and the width and length felt perfect. But thankfully these were followed by some subtler designs, and also a custom design should you choose to pay a slight premium.

Nike Metcon 6 Shoe Review – Video Review on our YouTube Channel

To begin with the shoe does feel stiff both in the sole and around the heel cup, so I’d recommend wearing them around the home or for a short walk outdoors before a long workout, and risking any rubbing or hotspots. The feel of the upper is rigid and structured to give support, much more so than a running shoe, which may take some getting used to. The forefoot flexibility comes in handy though, and not just during runs. Exercises like sissy squats and heel-elevated squats, where the forefoot and midfoot portions of the shoe must bend, feel perfect, never restricted by the footwear. Nike delivers a unique combination of mobility and stability in its shoe, and you’ll love it. The open ventilation holes are so large in fact that light travels through to create a shadow in on the insole. Compared to the Metcon 5, for me this felt much lighter and overall a more comfortable shoe. So how does Nike follow all of that? Answer: With the Nike Metcon 6, a sneaker that builds on last year’s design in only the smartest of ways. That means subtle changes, not massive ones. But the end result is a superior training sneaker—and my new favorite training shoe to date. The Metcon 6 Breathes Better

I’d head out for a leg workout in my Metcon 5s, and in a matter of minutes, I’d feel my feet overheating. I actually loved last year’s Metcon aesthetic, with the 3D haptic print, but it left little room for air to reach my feet. Since the Metcon 6s arrived, that problem’s been completely eliminated. Nike also delivers a splash of color onto the Metcon 6s. I actually loved the muted, two-tone look of last year’s Metcons; something about them felt perfectly no-nonsense, perfect for a serious, focused workout. When we reviewed the Metcon 5 we loved the stability underfoot (especially when lifting weights) comfortable, wide fit, durability and general aesthetics of the shoe. The heel feels quite loose in the FlyEase version of the shoe – that’s the tradeoff for the ability to put them on and take them off without using your hands. From here you can see that the Nano X is taller, but more importantly – look at the toe area – it’s much wider. This is a very comfortable shoe for those with wider feet.For the first time ever, Nike brings FlyEase tech to the Metcon line. These have laces, but you really only have to tie them once. On a par with the Nano X here for sure, with a slightly lighter feel. WEIGHTLIFTING with the Nike Metcon 6 (Squats and Deadlifts) There appeared to be a few style updates on the upper, but everything else seems pretty similar, just a few tweaks to improve an already great shoe. When lifting weights a training shoe like this feels a world away from a running shoe, and is much more comfortable and safer on the joints. The launch colorway of leopard print (women’s sizes), camo print (men’s sizes) and a dark Mat Fraser special edition was not to my taste at all.

Why? Because just like it’s predecessor (the Nike Metcon 5) it’s a bit tight and cramped up in the toe area. I didn’t include a picture, but the drop-in midsole and hyperlifts appear to be the same shape, material, and performance. There are just a few small cosmetic differences.

From the side you can see the rope wrap. This is where the tough rubber sole wraps up around the shoe. Great for grip on rope climbs, and it’s super tough too. This ensures the friction from the rope doesn’t destroy the upper. If you’re currently using the Metcon 5 as a training shoe and wore one on each foot, I’d challenge you to be able to find many differences in the sole feel.