Are you looking for a top-quality Nike cross training shoe that can handle some sprints, jumping, running, and climbing with ease? Then the Nike Free X Metcon should be at the top of your list.
Read our buying guide packed with information to help you decide if this popular Nike sneaker is right for you and your workouts.
We consider it one of the tools of trade. Find out why here.
Nike Free X Metcon Review
When it comes to sports and training, one of the most common brands that tend to pop up is Nike. This band is also one of the leaders in the cross-training community and is making strides again with its latest product, the Nike Free X Metcon.
Combination of the Free and Metcon Shoes
In case you’re wondering about the name, the Nike Free X Metcon is a combination of Nike’s two most popular training shoes – the Free and the Metcon. The Free line is renowned for providing its wearers sensational comfort while also being flexible and lightweight.
The Nike Metcon line, on the other hand, sets itself apart as they provide a stable base from which heavier lifts can be performed safely and efficiently and it’s a top choice for CrossFitters. You can learn more about it here: Nike Metcon Review.
And of course, read our buying guide for the Nike Metcon Free X to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Key Features of the Nike Metcon Free X
Let’s go ahead and get a better look at some of the best features from this hot new pair that’s a cross between the Metcon and Free.
- TPU mesh upper is both flexible and durable
- Dual-density midsole adds support and stability
- Flex grooves help you make natural transitions
- Flywire technology in the laces for added support
- Comfortable boot design
- 5 mm heel to toe drop
- Sock-like fit
- Work well for most gym workouts, movements and exercises
- Heel wrap for extra support
Where Can I Buy Them?
Do they sound like the right pair of cross-trainers for you? Check them out for yourself on Amazon.com to look for the lowest prices. You’ll often get free shipping with a Prime membership:
Pros:
- Light in weight, but supportive in the midsole
- Versatile enough for CrossFit workouts
- Nice design and style—wear them for a day of errands or shopping
- The upper keeps the foot and heel locked in place well
- Grippy rubber sole
- Reasonably priced
- Some people with plantar fasciitis had some great results with this shoe
- Ideal for side to side movements
- Protection in the midfoot for rope climbs
- Nike is a top-quality name in athletic footwear
Cons:
- Perhaps not durable enough to handle rope climbs (consider the more durable Nike DSX FlyKnit instead)
- Not ideal for running a marathon in, nor for something like powerlifting
- Shoelaces can become untied easily
- Some people wished that it had a bit more ankle support
Outsole
The outsole of the Free Metcon has been designed to provide hardcore athletes, exercisers and crossfitters with just about every feature they’ve been looking for in a shoe to help them excel during their intense workouts. It’s comprised of two different rubber compounds; carbon rubber and blown rubber. The former provides extra abrasion residence and durability and the latter provides an air of comfort as well as a lightweight feel.
This shoe makes use of Nike’s Free technology, which utilizes reverse flex grooves to provide additional flexibility while also ensuring that the wearer’s muscles are being fired up for performance and that their stabilizing muscles are being properly activated to prevent potential injuries. These grooves then help promote the foot’s natural movement.
The tread has a tri-star pattern in which some of the lugs boast compressible capabilities whereas others remain firm to encourage multidirectional traction. This footwear absorbs some serious shock while providing excellent traction.
Upper
The upper is as technologically advanced as the outsole. It has a very light design with TPU sidewalls for extra stability and support during a wearer’s hardcore WODs.
It uses a traditional lacing system that allows users to really customize the way they want their shoes to fit. In fact, for any type of workout, the upper is TPU-faced so that it provides stability, durability, and flexibility all while maintaining the shoe’s lightness.
It even features Nike’s FlyWire technology which is composed of threads of Vectran (which is a type of polyester fiber) that are placed strategically in the upper to help minimize overall weight while providing maximum support. It also prevents the foot from slipping out during runs.
Midsole
The shoe’s midsole blends two layers of foam and Nike’s cold fusion technology to provide a comfortable and stable option for serious workouts. The midsole is built-in to prevent that distracting and annoying in-shoe squeak that usually occurs.
The cushioning in these shoes are said to be fairly substantial. Even though they don’t make you feel as if you’re walking on clouds, most wearers should be pleased with the amount of cushioning that comes with this.
Nike Free X Metcon Review
Breathability
The heel and mouth area is constructed using a neoprene material that assists in the breathability found in those sections of the trainer. The material also provides an air of sweat proofing to do away with any pungent odors that may be flying around after gritting workout sessions.
The upper’s lightweight mesh is both comfortable and breathable. You’ll never experience sweat again as long as you’re wearing these.
Weight
Coming in at 317 grams or 11.2 ounces, the Nike Free X Metcon is just around the average weight of what a solid training shoe should be like. It succeeds in being incredibly lightweight, much lighter than 11 ounces, that is.
This could be due in part to the filaments that the upper is made of. When wearing these shoes, you won’t feel weighed down. And you know you’ve invested in some quality lightweight shoes when they help you boost your performance like the Free X Metcon.
Style
The Free X Metcon is an astonishingly modern looking shoe with plenty of colorway options to choose from. It’s in a style that’s similar to a street shoe with its minimal silhouette and tongue placement. Regular Free or Metcon owners will recognize the subtle nods to those shoes in this hybrid’s design.
In terms of color, Nike has over ten different options that range from more neutral like black/white or beige/white to more bolder like the shades of red/black, maroon style or the army green/camouflage style.
Comfort
The upper’s comfortable fitting booty construction adds a plush in shoe feeling. The midsole’s soft foam provides cushioning that is prime and comfortable for taking out on runs. These are even comfortable enough to pass off as an everyday shoe that will also remain functional as a fitness trainer.
The dual density midsole’s cold fusion technology offers a plush comfort that other fitness shoes lack. With that in mind, some wearers found the cushioning to be too extreme when it came to performing certain heavy lifts. This is probably due to the cushioning that created a disconnect between the foot and the floor.
Protection
Nike knew beforehand that they wanted to make the shoes that came with a number of protective features in which not only to help boost the performance of athletes but also to provide safety features that help protect them during hard workouts.
There’s a toe clip at the front of the shoe that offers ample amounts of protection on the inside of the foot during exercises like burpees. There’s a section on the outsole’s middle that wraps around the sidewalls of the shoe to provide an element of protection against abrasion during exercises like rope climbs.
Durability
The outsole’s carbon rubber is an incredibly strong material that’s often used in the construction of tires. Nike decided to use it for the bottom of the Free X Metcon to help prolong the lifespan of the ankles.
The rubber guard that’s found in the outsole to the midfoot area adds an air of durability by providing abrasion resistance during exercises that are known for damaging shoe structures.
Price
If you take a look online, you’ll probably find that these shoes are well over $100 (check current prices on Amazon.com). This seems like a lot for a pair of workout shoes, doesn’t it? Why not just go for a pair of cheaper shoes?
We generally recommend against this for a number of reasons. If you’re going to be doing serious workouts like CrossFit, then you’ll need a pair of serious shoes that can stand up to the test.
The cheaper shoes just don’t have as much support and shock absorption. Using them can sometimes lead to injuries.
Durability is also a key difference. Spending a bit more on a workout shoe often means that it’ll last far longer than cheapies from Wal Mart.
The choice is yours, but for us, $100 or even a bit more isn’t that much to spend on a top-quality shoe that’ll last your for close a year even with regular use.
What Do People Think About the Nike Free X Metcon Sneakers?
—>Read More Customer Reviews and Ratings Here<—
“So happy that I decided to give these shoes a chance. They’re probably the most comfortable workouts sneakers that I’ve ever tried. I wear mine for gym workouts, as well as CrossFit and they are pretty amazing. I’ve always found the Reebok Nano shoes a bit stiff, but these are the opposite of that, nice and flexible.”
“I have a difficult time finding shoes for my weird feet. I have high arches a very narrow heel. These ones felt comfortable from the second that I put them on. Enough support in the arch and the lacing systems locks my heels into place. Perfect for all kinds of sports and gym workouts.”
“Nice design and colors, comfortable, cool and supportive. Not much more you could want in a workout shoe. Really happy with the Nike Free X Metcons! Kind of cool that they’ve combined their two popular shoes into one! It just works in a great way for my workouts and I totally recommend them to anyone who does gym stuff.”
Can I use These Shoes for CrossFit?
A common question that people have is whether or not these cross-trainers from Nike are ideal for a CrossFit WOD. It really is a matter or personal preference.
Some people prefer Cross Fit workouts that are heavy on the weightlifting. In this case, they’ll usually wear something like the Nike Metcons or even a pair of weightlifting shoes. These shoes have serious support, minimal heel to toe drop (around 1-2 mm instead of 5 mm like these shoes) and lack flexibility. Just what you want when lifting heavy weights.
However, if your CrossFit workouts involve a lot more running, box jumps, rope climbs, etc., then you’ll probably love something like the Nike Metcon Free X. It’s light, comfortable and flexible. This means it’s ideal for all of these activities, plus of course, like most cross-trainers, it can also handle some light lifting.
What about the Nike Free X Metcon Running?
You may want to know whether or not the Nike Free X Metcon series makes a good choice for running your next marathon. In general, you’ll want to avoid this. Crosstrainers excel at a wide variety of activities, and while they can handle a bit of jogging or sprints, they’re not really designed for this.
They are often too heavy, don’t absorb enough shock, and are too flat and lack responsiveness. If you’re looking to run a marathon, you’ll want to consider a pair of running shoes in order to prevent fatigue, or even injuries. They’ll give the ability to run easily and transfer energy from stride to stride.
The heel-toe drop of these ones is 5 mm, while is ideal for a pair of crosstraining shoes. However, for a pair of runners, you’ll want one that’s closer to 10 mm in order to transfer energy from stroke to stroke. Trying to run long distances in cross training sneakers will not be easy, trust us on that one!
Are these Shoes Ideal for Weightlifting?
- BREATHABLE AND DURABLE MATERIAL: These weightlifting sneakers feature a full-grain leather toe and...
- EFFICIENT FOOT SUPPORT: These athletic trainers feature the Powerbax TPU plate and a dual rubber...
- STAY COOL AND DRY: This footwear features anti-friction lining that reduces moisture and heat...
- COMFORTABLE AND STURDY DESIGN: This low-cut design footwear provide mobility at the ankles; The...
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORT SHOES: Ideal for workouts and weightlifting
If you lift weights at the gym, you’ll probably want to know if these shoes are right for you. It depends on what kind of workouts you do.
If you lift weights, along with things like cardio, sprints, and jumping, then they may work well. They are flat enough that you should have a stable platform for weightlifting. However, they’re light and flexible as well so that they can handle that other stuff with ease.
But, if workouts are almost exclusively on the weights, then you’ll probably want to consider another shoe. The best lifting shoes have a heel lift of close to 0, instead of 5 mm like these ones. They also have a strap across the top for extra support, and are all around heavier and sturdier. They’ll help you perform at a higher level, in a way that something like the Nike Free X Metcons won’t.
You can check out some of our top products here: Top 5 Weightlifting Shoes.
The Takeaway on the Nike Metcon Free Crosstrainers
If you’re looking for a pair of top-quality workout shoes that can handle a bit of everything: running, jumping, climbing, lifting, cardio and more, then you’ll want to consider the Nike Metcon Free X sneakers. They’re designed for the gym, but many people wear them around the neighborhood, for sports with the kids or on hikes because they really are that comfortable.
Ideal for CrossFit
If you’re a Cross-Fitter, these shoes also make a nice choice. They’re a bit lighter and more responsive then something like the Nike Metcon 4 or Reebok Nano 8, so are ideal for workouts that are heavy on jumping and sprinting, as opposed to lifting heavy weights.
A Ton of Features You’ll Love
Nike has used the latest technology in these shoes to give you the real deal in terms of performance. They’re supportive, have a ton of cushioning and stability, but are also light in weight and have a great fit thanks to the bootie system. They can absorb shock well, and on top of that, are also very durable.
Just about everything you could possibly want in a training shoe, right?
Where to Get Them?
Check out the Nike Free X Metcon Sneakers on Amazon to check for the lowest prices. Shop now:
FAQs
There are a number of common questions that people have about these shoes. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.
What activities is the Nike Free x Metcon shoe suitable for?
The Nike Free x Metcon shoe is suitable for a wide range of activities, including weightlifting, CrossFit, functional training, and general gym workouts.
Does the Nike Free x Metcon provide good support?
Yes, the Nike Free x Metcon offers a balance of flexibility and support. It has a stable heel and a flexible forefoot to support various movements.
Is the Nike Free x Metcon shoe suitable for running?
While the Nike Free x Metcon is not primarily designed for running, it can handle short runs and sprints due to its flexibility and cushioning. However, it is not recommended for long-distance running.
Are the Nike Free x Metcon shoes durable?
Yes, the Nike Free x Metcon shoes are built to be durable and withstand intense workouts. They have reinforced areas to withstand abrasion and maintain their structural integrity.
Are the Nike Free x Metcon shoes true to size?
Many users find that the Nike Free x Metcon shoes fit true to size, but it’s always recommended to try them on or consult the sizing chart provided by Nike to ensure the best fit.
Can the Nike Free x Metcons be used for rope climbs?
Yes, the Nike Free x Metcons are designed to handle rope climbs. They typically have a sticky rubber outsole that provides excellent grip on ropes.
Are the Nike Free x Metcon shoes suitable for wide feet?
Some users with wide feet find the Nike Free x Metcon shoes comfortable, but it’s advisable to try them on or consider ordering a wider size option if available.
Do the Nike Free x Metcon shoes have good breathability?
The Nike Free x Metcon shoes often feature breathable mesh materials in the upper to allow air circulation and help keep your feet cool during workouts.
Can the Nike Free x Metcon shoes be used outdoors?
The Nike Free x Metcon shoes can be used outdoors. However, like any athletic shoe, they may experience faster wear and tear when used on rough surfaces or in harsh weather conditions.
Have your Say about the Nike Free X Metcon Training Shoe
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Last update on 2023-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API