The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Reebok
I received my first pair of Nanos back in November, 2012 when I visited Reebok HQ to participate in a WOD. I had just begun CrossFit the month prior and until that point, had been using my trusty cross-training sneakers for my workouts at Big Horn.
It was love at first rope climb!
{Actually, that’s a lie. I couldn’t climb a rope until months later. Meh.}
My original Nanos. Even the photo looks old!
Those pink beauties were the original Nanos. Since then, the popular CrossFit shoe has gone through many updates and I have tested every single one of them: the originals, the 2.0, the 3.0, and the Speeds. And, lucky for me, I just spent the last three weeks giving the Nano 4.0s a trial run!
Nano 4.0
For many, it seems the 3.0 version was the least favorite of the series, but only because Reebok hadn’t quite dialed in the formula. When the company moved from the 2.0 to the 3.0, they added the DuraCage to the upper to provide support and protection during any activity.
From L-R: the 3.0, the 2.0 and the 4.0
Burpees, I’m looking at you!
The downside of the DuraCage was that it was a bit heavier and made the shoes slightly toasty. The added cage inhibited the air flow which I am desperate for on hot summer days!
Fortunately, Reebok took note and fixed all of that with the Nano 4.0! They re-engineered the DuraCage to make the shoes lighter than previous versions. They also changed the mesh underneath the cage to allow for more air flow and produce a more breathable shoe.
How do I know the 4.0’s are more breathable? I conducted an experiment! Although it didn’t occur to me until after the workout, I realized I could just wear two different shoes and compare them. You know, the 3.0 on my left foot and the 4.0 on my right foot. I was checking on some clients, so I figured wearing the two different shoes in the heat of the day would make a great experiment…aside from looking like a lunatic.
In addition to the tech specs, I noticed a couple small changes that really impressed me on the shoes. First of all, they switched the shoelaces from a round lace to a more flat shoelace. This may not seem like a huge deal but my 3.0 shoes always came untied and it drove me crazy!
{Yes, I realize I could have swapped out the laces. It always escaped my memory the second I left the gym!}
Secondly, I’m confident that the new pattern of the rubber DuraCage will be significantly more durable than prior models. Ropes tear shoes up like whoa, and the rubber mesh provides a solid barrier. Granted, I’ve only worn the shoes for a few weeks, but I’m optimistic about their longevity.
The one caveat in the 4.0 shoes is that the toe box has been tightened up and is a bit more narrow. I prefer wide shoes but oddly enough, found the 3.0 Nanos too wide. As a result, I like the snugger fit of the 4.0’s. However, some people with truly wide feet could experience blistering, so it would definitely be worth looking into!
Besides, I’ll do anything Rich Froning tells me to do:
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CrossFitters: have you tried any of the Nanos? Thoughts?