The Reebok Nanoflex TR positions itself as a comfortable yet performance driven training shoe that is suitable for a variety of training demands and also all day wear.

This shoe is Reebok’s budget offering: if the Reebok Nano range aimed at gym goers, functional fitness and CrossFit enthusiasts who are looking for a cheaper alternative that can be still be put through the mill of their rigorous training demands.

So does this lower price version satisfy these demands, or have corners be cut that mean it falls short of delivering on performance?

From testing a range of budget training shoes a couple of years ago, I’m really impressed with how far they have come, mainly down to improved research and technologies in the most advanced training shoes, and demand from an ever-increasing functional fitness fan base.

If you’re less fussy on color and design there are often deals on some colorways to make this an even more value-for-money purchase.

Reebok Nanoflex TR First Impressions

picture of Reebok Nanoflex TR

Having previously trained in the Nike Metcon 7s, there were several big differences when first putting on the Nanoflex TR’s.

Firstly of all the training shoes I’ve tested recently, the most common first impression is that they are wide, flat, feel quite heavy but are overall very comfortable.

Whilst the Nanoflex TR’s felt nice and solid under foot, they were very narrow, stiff and quite uncomfortable to begin with. I even ordered a size up from my normal size to see if this made any difference to the fit, and whilst they felt a little more comfortable in the larger size, they were still on the narrow side.

So if you have wide feet, or even regular width and prefer some room for your toes to move, I would avoid these shoes.

Over time this did stretch out a bit and feel slightly less snug, however, I would worry about damage to my feet if I were to wear these all day long, day in and day out, as Reebok suggests.

Reebok Nanoflex TR Sole Unit

picture of Reebok Nanoflex TR

The sole unit is different to other training shoes I’ve tested. The EVA midsole is quite cushioned, meaning wearing this shoe for workouts with a running component was more cushioned and softer on the joints than I’d expected. The outsole is a sticky, grippy rubber that has remained in perfect condition after a month of wearing. Sole composition- wise this shoe is a great all day shoe, but personally, my feet couldn’t take the toe squeeze wearing these all day.

Performance-wise, this increased cushioning and higher stack height means the shoe compromises on stability. The ankle can feel abit loose when lifting heavier weights, and the narrower toe base means even more loss of stability here. Overall fine for accessory work, upper body work, and lighter weights, but I’d avoid heavy barbell deadlifts and squats in the Nanoflex TR.

Versus other training shoes, this shoe lacks a few Crossfit-specific design features, e.g. the rope wrap (the extension of the sole up the medial and lateral sides of the shoe to add durability against rope wear and tear).

However so far, so good, the shoe has help up to a couple of rope climb workouts, and actually better than the Reebok Nano X2 did where the sole tore during rope climbs.

Reebok Nanoflex TR Upper Unit

picture of Reebok Nanoflex TR

The upper is made of a mesh with overlays around the mid foot from the sole up to the laces. This mesh, especially at the forefoot felt thick and not at all breathable, but has stayed in good condition and this thickness has provided enhanced durability.

When combined with the narrow fit, my toes weren’t happy in these shoes especially during the first few wears. At the heel, there is an external soft TPU heel cage to keep the heel locked down. Padding around the heel is thick and soft, but is showing signs of bobbling inside the show after a few wears.

picture of Reebok Nanoflex TR

The tongue is quite stiff and has the tendency to move to the side when working out to begin with, but as this softened and moulded to my foot over time, the problem subsided.

The laces are long, flat and stayed put well.

Looks wise the upper is great, and also comes in many designs and colorways to suit all tastes. The looks of the upper, and the shoe in general are definitely a pro for me, looking much better and sleeker that many training shoes out there.

Reebok Nanoflex TR Conclusion

picture of Reebok Nanoflex TR

Overall I’m pleased with what the Nanoflex TR delivers in terms of performance, but for me I couldn’t see past the fit being uncomfortable, and generally didn’t look forward to putting these shoes on for a workout. However, this is just personal preference, and if your foot shape is suited to this shoe it could be a great, low cost option for an everyday training shoe.

For Plyometric work, e.g. box jumps and HIIT training the shoe performs well. Stability wasn’t an issue for this, and the sole flexibility and midsole cushioning were great.
For running, the shoe holds up well to anything up to about 10 minutes duration, but for longer runs I’d recommend a specific running shoe, as running made my feet hot, and the narrow fit meant cramping in the toes.

Heavier weightlifting wasn’t suited to the Nanoflex TR due to the lack of stability in the sole, but for everyday gym work these could be great.

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Reebok Nanoflex TR at Running Warehouse with our own money.