Nano Archives - TWL Journal - Push The Boundaries

January 18, 2025January 18, 2025

Reebok Nano X5: The New Generation

Step Up Your Training Game with the Reebok Nano X5 at TWL

The wait is over! The Reebok Nano X5, the latest iteration of the beloved Nano series, is set to drop at TWL on January 24th. Hailed as the “official shoe of fitness,” the Nano X5 delivers on performance, durability, and style, making it a must-have for fitness enthusiasts, CrossFit athletes, and Hyrox competitors alike. Let’s dive into what makes the Nano X5 a game-changer.

What’s New in the Reebok Nano X5?

The Nano X5 boasts cutting-edge updates designed to elevate your training experience. Here’s a look at its standout features:

Floatride Energy Foam Midsole: Engineered for superior cushioning and responsiveness, this foam ensures comfort without compromising stability during heavy lifts or dynamic movements.
FlexWeave Knit Upper: Reebok’s proprietary FlexWeave material has been upgraded to provide a seamless blend of breathability, durability, and adaptive support.
Lift and Run Chassis System: A reinforced heel counter combined with a responsive forefoot provides stability during squats and explosive energy return during sprints or jumps.
All-Terrain Grip Sole: Whether you’re grinding out a WOD in the box or pushing through a Hyrox sled push, the Nano X5’s revamped outsole delivers unparalleled traction and durability.

How Does the Nano X5 Differ from the Nano X4?

While the Nano X4 was celebrated for its versatility, the Nano X5 takes it to the next level:

Enhanced Midsole: The Floatride Energy Foam in the Nano X5 is a significant upgrade, offering a softer yet more responsive feel compared to the X4’s midsole.
Improved Fit: The Nano X5 features a more refined upper design that adapts to the foot for a snug but comfortable fit, reducing unnecessary movement during intense workouts.
Streamlined Aesthetic: The Nano X5 comes with sleeker lines and modern colorways, making it not only a functional gym shoe but also a stylish everyday option.
Performance Weight: The Reebok Nano X5 weighs approximately 12 ounces (340 grams) in a men’s US size 9. In comparison, the Nano X4 weighs around 11.7 ounces (332 grams) in the same size. This indicates a slight increase of about 0.3 ounces (8 grams) in the Nano X5, which is unlikely to significantly impact performance.

Why the Nano X5 is the Best Training Shoe Yet

From CrossFit AMRAPs to Hyrox challenges, the Nano X5 is built to dominate any fitness arena. Its unmatched combination of stability, comfort, and durability means you can seamlessly transition between heavy lifts, agility drills, and endurance workouts. The all-terrain grip sole ensures you stay grounded during sled pushes, rope climbs, and box jumps.

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts consistently praise the Nano series for its “no-weakness” approach, and the X5 solidifies that reputation. If you’re looking for a shoe that’s as versatile as your training, the Nano X5 is it.

Release Information: Get Yours at TWL

The Reebok Nano X5 officially launches at The WOD Life on January 24th in an array of stunning colorways. Whether you’re into bold tones or minimalist designs, there’s a style to suit your aesthetic. Don’t miss your chance to secure the ultimate training shoe!

Head to TWL.com.au on release day to grab your pair and experience why the Nano X5 is the go-to footwear for fitness professionals worldwide. It’s time to elevate your performance and redefine what’s possible in your training.

March 23, 2022March 23, 2022

The Reebok Nano X2 is on the Horizon: Here’s What to Expect

With the 2022 Open behind us, we bet you thought that the excitement was going to die down for a while in the functional fitness community. Think again, because Reebok is about to grace us with their next iteration of the Nano, and to say we’re ecstatic would be an understatement. The Nano has brought us over 10 years of excellence, and we can only imagine what they’re cooking up now. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the Reebok Nano X2.

(Doesn’t it just have a nice ring to it?)

The Reebok Nano X2: Everything You Need to Know About the New Nano

The announcement came directly from Reebok on March 18, and here’s what we have to look forward to.

The Aim is Durability

Their top priority with this version? Reebok’s aim was to make this the most wearable Nano in the entire lineup. The shoe is designed to be highly versatile and effortlessly wearable. It’ll replace all the shoes in your closet and bring it all under one roof. The Reebok Nano X2 is meant for everything from burpees to split jerks, and everywhere from the gym to the grocery store.

Tal Short, Reebok Senior Product Manager, says, “With the Nano X2, we evolved and refined the official shoe of fitness and put the wearer front and center. We wanted to provide fitness enthusiasts of all kinds a go-to training shoe option that they can take to the gym for a new PR and beyond for all-day support.”

Comfort is Key

To make this one of the last shoes you’ll ever need, Reebok set to work to make the Nano X2 even more comfortable than its ancestors. Floatride Energy Foam offers extra support in the forefoot, and they’ve re-engineered the FlexWeave Knit Upper to give the shoe unparalleled breathability — without sacrificing the toughness of the material it’s built from. As always, you can expect the Nano’s cushioning to be lightweight and responsive — something we really saw Reebok perfecting around the time of the Nano X.

Where other shoes fall short is that they’re more specialized. Somehow, Reebok managed to package the best of every world into one epic training shoe.

Your Movement Will Benefit from Increased Stability

For the Nano X2, the heel shape was slimmed down to promote stability, and the heel clip was made more defined. (You might recall that the Nano X1 was already a lighter version compared to the X. It looks like simplifying the design was still on the menu.)

What you’re getting, then, is a training shoe that perfectly supports both cardio-centric metcons and heavy lifts. You’re going to have the stability, leverage, and agility you’ll need whether you’re lifting something heavy overhead or racing your gym mate during sprints.

Train on Any Surface

With the rubber outsole, you’re going to get the grip and traction you need no matter where you’re training — from the track to the gym floor to the grass. The ROPEPRO outsole midfoot teeth give you extra grip for rope climbs, in particular.

With the Nano X2, you don’t have to choose between performance and lifestyle. You get them both. If previous iterations have taught us anything, it’s that the Nano keeps getting better and better.

You can expect the shoe to drop globally starting April 8. Stay tuned for more updates on Nano X2 availability from The WOD Life!

July 20, 2021August 29, 2022

The Nano X1 Froning: Inspired by One of the Greatest Athletes of Our Time

Earlier this year, Reebok gave us the Nano X1. This training shoe brought us all the latest and greatest in comfort, versatility, and aesthetics. But you already know that evolution never stops. This time, Reebok combined forces with the one and only Rich Froning — long-time partner — to create the Nano X1 Froning, an iteration on its predecessor.

The X1 Froning is a nod to a rule that Froning lives by: face the storm head-on. In a press release from Reebok, Froning says, “When bison see a storm, they run straight into it. They square their shoulders, brace against its power and keep moving forward. It’s their natural instinct to face it head on and never try to avoid its powers, knowing they’ll be in it a shorter amount of time than if they ran from it. This mindset is an important metaphor for life. There’s always going to be storms coming at us, but if you turn to meet them head on, you’ll come out better on the other side. It’s through this adversity that we grow.”

This sentiment was built into the very foundation of the Nano X1 Froning, with a storm-inspired print on the upper. The elastic strap to help hold down the laces keeps you feeling secure and strong — which is exactly how you need to feel when you’re facing something challenging up ahead, whether it’s a storm or WOD.

Here’s what else Reebok and Froning have in store for us.

What to Expect From the Nano X1 Froning

A 3-Tiered Lacing System

Froning has spoken before of his three pillars in life: faith, family, and fitness. This was incorporated into the shoe to both represent what gives Froning inspiration in life, and also to give you the secure foundation you need when training.

Floatride Energy Cushioning

With the Nano X1 Froning, you get the cushioning you need for running, sprints, and burpees and the stability you need for movements like box jumps, thrusters, and the Olympic lifts. It truly is a shoe for everyone and everything, built in such a way that it’ll carry you through your whole WOD, no matter what it throws at you.

A Brand New Upper

Froning wanted to help create a shoe that he could easily put on and take off. The new upper features a stretch bootie construction for comfort and convenience.

An Extra Dash of Froning

They didn’t stop at the storm design. Look to the heel tab and you’ll see “Boston Designed. Cookville Validated” – a nod to both Reebok and Froning’s homes. They’ve also included “Galatians 6:14,” which Froning has tattooed on the side of his torso. (For the curious, Galatians 6:14 reads, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

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The Nano X1 Froning officially drops July 21, which is Froning’s birthday. Stay tuned for availability at The WOD Life!

April 15, 2021

Everything You Need to Know About the Nano X1

Every time we think the Nano can’t get any better, Reebok surprises us. Enter: The Nano X1. This is the 11th edition of the Nano, and just like the iterations that came before it, it has continued to evolve into something even better.

Tal Short, Reebok senior product manager, says, “The Nano X1 is the most refined and versatile iteration of the Nano to date. We made sure to keep attributes of previous iterations that consumers love, while evolving and adding other features to deliver a best-in-class product that we feel meets the demands of the wider, modern-day fitness community.”

Let’s get into some of the details.

3 Things to Know About the Nano X1

1. It’s Built for Unbeatable Comfort

We all know that if your shoes aren’t 100% comfortable, then you performance will undoubtedly suffer in some way.

The Nano X1 marries Reebok’s Floatride Energy cushioning in the forefoot with stability and precision. It’s lightweight and responsive, molding to your unique footprint — perfect comfort even with a running WOD, without being squishy or collapsing under the weight of your body.

Important to note is that it’s noticeably lighter than the Nano X (with a smaller tongue, too). Take a look at these comparisons:

Nano X1

A size 10US men’s shoe: 332g
A size 9US women’s shoe: 278g

Nano X

A size 10US men’s shoe: 414g
A size 9US women’s shoe: 353g

Add in a slight increase in the heel drop, and you’ve got an all-in-one training shoe.

You would think that a shoe so light wouldn’t be capable of adapting to other arenas of functional fitness, but the X1 is already proving to be impressively responsive to everything from rope climbs to burpees.

While some shoes sacrifice performance for the sake of comfort (or vice versa), the Nano X1 manages to master it all. You can wear this shoe through running and sprinting and well into heavy lifting. It does it all.

Plus, it’s got Reebok’s iconic Flexweave in the upper, which offers extra breathability without hampering the durability and longevity of the shoes. And you better believe it’s an upgrade from the last iteration of the material.

There are actually two options to choose from, with this material: Flexweave Grit, which offers more durability and high-level support, and Flexweave Knit, which is a more breathable, lightweight avenue with an open, roomy toebox.

2. The Versatility is Unparalleled

The Reebok Nano X1 is the ultimate training shoe. Whether you’re knocking out rep after rep of power snatches, banging out box jumps, or suffering through endless burpees, this shoe will carry you through even the most grueling of workouts.

What’s so incredible about the Flexweave knit is that it allows for unleashed multidirectional movement while still providing the support you need.

3. Reebok Leveled Up the Aesthetics

Let’s be honest: We don’t only want a shoe that works. We also want one that looks good.

This was a big part of the design process for the Nano X1. You can stick with a more traditional color combination of black and white, if that’s your jam. But they’ve also incorporated other vibrant color patterns and palettes, if you feel like spicing something up a bit.

Between the comfort and design, you can wear this shoe just about anywhere — from the box to the grocery store.

To celebrate the release of the Reebok Nano X1, we’re giving away one pair every day for the next five days. You can sign up to win here. Don’t wait! Enter now.

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May 6, 2020August 29, 2022

10 Years of the Nano: A Look Back

The Reebok Nano changed the way we do fitness. In the years since its inception, Reebok has consistently found ways to one-up itself, with every iteration being better than the last.

To celebrate the release of the Nano X, let’s look back at the versions that came before it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_sX5jzJ8ja/

10 Years of the Reebok Nano

2011

The Nano 1 was the first shoe specifically made for CrossFit. Reebok successfully introduced a “Jack of all trades” style of shoe that could take you from the barbell to your metcon. One of its trademark features was the grips that would offer extra support and durability for rope climbs.

Reebok became the licensed provider of apparel for CrossFit.

2012

The Nano 2 came with a bigger toe box, giving better stability and allowing the athlete’s foot to better splay inside the shoe.

2013

Reebok outdid itself with the third upgrade in three years. The Nano 3 came with further support for rope climbs in the form of a protective layer in the midsole. The heel was better stabilized and there was more cushioning toward the front.

This was the year that Reebok introduced DuraCage, which meant more support and protection while keeping the shoe light.

2014

The biggest changes here were a noticeably more rigid sole (to give more grip) and even more stability, further proving that the Nano could stand up to heavy clean and jerks and burpees, toes-to-bar, and double-unders. Reebok also threw in a better toe wrap to keep the shoe strong and durable.

2015

The Reebok Nano 5 was a serious game-changer. DuPont got in on the action and offered Reebok Kevlar, a heat-resistant and incredibly strong synthetic fiber. Reebok worked this into the mesh that made up the upper portion of the shoe. The result was better airflow and improved durability.

Every single year, the Nano became better able to stand up to even the most dramatic wear and tear.

2016

Many consider the Nano 6 a fan favorite. The cut around the ankle was lower, which allowed for a little extra freedom in movement. Rope climbs got even more love with improved grip in the form of teeth in the mid-foot. Lastly, Reebok added a special pattern on the sole to provide more traction.

2017

It didn’t seem that at this point, Reebok could make a better shoe, but of course, they did. The Nano 7 was designed with a 360-degree heel wrap. It helped to feel like you were even more secure and strapped in.

They also incorporated a drop heel-to-toe of 4mm. It seemed small but the difference was noticeable — the balance improved and activities like running became more comfortable and efficient.

2018

Reebok replaced the Flexweave Technology with the NanoWeave, making for a shoe that was simultaneously stronger and more flexible. The heel was more comfortable and the design helped athletes to better stay light and mobile on their feet while maintaining the traction that the Nano was always so good at.

2019

Athletes perhaps weren’t expecting much of a difference between the Nano 8 and Nano 9, but Reebok proved us wrong. They kept everything we loved about the 8 and then amplified the comfort for performance. They improved the midsole wrap for protection, added more cushioning (particularly around the collar), and strengthened the platform (perfect for lifting heavy).

Additionally, they split the sole in half to give more bend to the shoe.

Essentially, it’s a shoe you can wear all day and your feet will never hurt.

Check out the video below for even more detail.

Okay, this had to be it. There’s absolutely no way Reebok could make it any better.

… Except, they did.

2020

Meet the Nano X (Nano 10).

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xMOhkn2ss/

The design is made with a soft woven textile upper with targeted areas of support and stretch. Lightweight cushioning keeps you fast on your feet, with a high-density foam collar and compression moulded midsole for extra support. You’ll also see Reebok’s trademark Flexweave woven textile upper, making the shoe stretchy but resilient.

Over the years, Reebok has listened to what athletes are saying – their likes, dislikes, goals, pain points. They’ve used this information to design the ultimate functional fitness shoe, something unlike any other.

Shop the Nano X with The WOD Life today.

July 17, 2014February 4, 2021

Nike’s “Metcon” Shoe?

Nike – the athletics giant has been waiting in the wings for their time to take the Functional Fitness market by storm.

Looking to make their presence felt at the 2014 CrossFit Games, Nike have recently signed athletes Josh Bridges, Kenneth Leverich and Alexandra LeChance as well as the successful team CrossFit Invictus.

Rumours around the market is that Nike have designed and set to release their challenger to the Nano and the Inov-8 “F-Lite” series.

Below are a few photos taken from Nike’s twitter. No date of release just yet, likely would be in 2015.

What do you think? Does Reebok and Inov-8 have something to worry about?