Nike Metcon 10 Performance Review

It’s been almost two years since Nike released a new model of the Metcon, its signature training shoe that has seen its share of mixed reviews in recent years.

2023’s Nike Metcon 9 was perhaps its most divisive release yet and even our reviewers couldn’t find a consensus. While Nike re-released the Metcon 1 to much acclaim (including ours), it was surprising to not see a truly new Metcon model hit shelves as long time competitors like Reebok and upstarts like TYR continued to draw acclaim.

So when pairs of the Nike Metcon 10 landed at WearTesters HQ, we couldn’t help but wonder – could Nike find a way back to the acclaim it enjoyed in the early years of the Metcon or would this be another miss?

Please note that while Nike sent us pairs of the Metcon 10, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.

How do the Authors Train?

Arune Singh (age 43, 5’11”, 210lbs): Trains daily with functional fitness programming provided by Deadboys Fitness, founded by Colby “Seth Rollins” Lopez and Josh Gallegos, along with logging 30-40 miles of running per week. He also has a medical history of Sleep Apnea and Myasthenia Gravis, meaning Arune’s focus is on lean muscle mass.

Drew Whitcomb (age 42, 6’6″ 195lbs): Trains daily with a focus on running, strength training, and mobility. He writes the majority of our running shoe reviews and runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and his growing affinity for long-distance races. He regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races. His strength training and mobility regimen center around maintaining flexibility and lifting heavy to build power as a counterbalance to all the running he’s doing. His number one focus is staying injury-free so he can keep up the sweet gig of reviewing shoes for a living.

What is the Nike Metcon 10?

Nike describes it as:

“Power your cross-training potential with the Metcon 10. It optimizes stability for your heavier lifts with an ultra-strong Hyperlift plate and levels up mobility with responsive ReactX foam. With increased energy return and a lighter weight than the Metcon 9, it helps you conquer any movement your workout demands.”

Training

Arune: I didn’t mince my words about the Nike Metcon 9 and I’ll say it again – it might have been the single worst training experience of my life.

So, with great trepidation I tried on the Nike Metcon 10 and discovered…this shoe feels like a return to form.

First of all, Nike has finally figured out the most effective Hyperlift plate integration into the heel of the Metcon, adding the much needed stability that the previous model lacked. No more inserts, no more big chunks of heavy plastic dragging down your heel, and no more wobbly legs. 

Combined with the ReactX foam – one of the comfiest midsole foams on the market – the Nike Metcon 10 immediately delivers the comfort and stability that was once a hallmark of the line.

This means pretty exceptional results when training lower body exercises, from explosive movements like Thrusters to single-legged movements like Bulgarian Split Squats. While I felt a bit of instability at first as I adjusted to the midsole and plate, it felt like the Metcon 10 molded to my feet quite quickly and I got even more out of them with each lift. 

I’ve set PRs in every lower body lift, from squats to deadlifts, and I know part of that is the shoes because I don’t think about them when I lift. That’s the sign of a great training shoe because it means I’m not constantly overthinking each lift – instead, I just focus on the movement.

Luckily the Nike Metcon 10 doesn’t change the one thing I loved about the Metcon 9, namely a traction pattern that bites into every surface and helps ensure your feet stay planted in the spot you want them to be.

This all translates really well to CrossFit style WODs that involve mixing Olympic lifts with bodyweight movements. I’ve noticed a number of training shoes with forefoot materials that break in ways that stab my feet when I bend them but the Metcon 10 doesn’t do any of that. The energy return from the ReactX foam is great for burpees, skaters, and any of those explosive movements your coach programs. There’s something natural feeling about the way the Metcon 10 moves with your body.

Honestly, there’s not much more I could ask for from a versatile training shoe in the performance department. How about you, Drew?

Drew: I agree with Arune that the Nike Metcon 10 represents a return to form. The Hyperlift in the heel no longer feels like dead weight, stabilizing without ruining the heel’s movement and flexibility.

The Nike Metcon 10 delivers a great platform when deadlifting and squatting. A little bit of cushion underfoot but a strong base from which to lift. But it’s also nimble enough for jump rope, plyometrics, and agility drills. Finally a Metcon that’s somewhat nimble but can root itself to the ground when needed.

Arune’s right that this is finally a return to the days when the Metcon’s performance earned the Metcon name. Running through a Metcon, Hyrox, or CrossFit workout is both doable and enjoyable and I never found myself fighting with the build of the shoe to get the flexibility I needed for non-traditional movements.

I didn’t even have a period where I felt the instability Arune did as the shoe adjusted to his foot. Right from the start, the Nike Metcon 10 felt like an extension of my foot as I trudged through one of my typical workout routines.

This is the best Metcon in a loooong while.

Cardio

Arune: Nike has positioned the Metcon 10 as being “more runnable” than previous versions and that kind of promotional language is always risky for training shoes, which tend to be terrible cardio training partners.

But by the letter of the law, the Metcon 10 is more runnable than the Metcon 9 and maybe any model since the 6, but that doesn’t make it a shoe I’d like to run in. Part of my warm up each day involves chasing my dog around our home and wearing these shoes is comfortable for that kind of jogging (we get anywhere from ½ mile to a full mile indoors because of the Zoomies) [Editor’s Note: Taylor is a very good boy].

Still, I wouldn’t want to do any kind of running other than short sprints in the Nike Metcon 10.

Meanwhile, I quite enjoy what the ReactX midsole does when I’m rowing, which is my primary cardio each day. The aforementioned energy return from the midsole really helps me get up on my toes and push with maximum effort on each stroke. I’ve also found my legs are less tired during and after my rowing sessions, something I’d previously only found noticeable with the Reebok Nano X5.

While this wouldn’t replace my running shoes, I’ve found it good for most other cardio – elliptical, rower, bike – and it’s as close to a “one shoe to do it all” as I’ve seen with a recent training shoe release.

Drew: “Runnable” is a stretch. 400m is about the longest I’d want to run in the Nike Metcon 10. It’s more flexible and malleable than previous iterations but it still performs better for the lifting portion of any workout.

It handles the elliptical, row machine, and exercise bike just fine. Jump rope is probably the cardio where it performs the best as the heels stay completely off the ground and the ReactX provides a nice landing pad.

Sprints on turf, though they don’t feel totally natural, work well enough to add that extra bit of sauce to a workout. The Nike Metcon 10 is by no means a cardio all-star but it’s solid after years of the Metcon being something you never wanted to mix with cardio.

Comfort

Arune: The Nike Metcon 10 is a very comfortable training shoe.

We’ll talk about the sizing next, but I really enjoy the low profile design of the shoe and how it hugs my foot but never chokes it. That’s rare given my wider than normal forefoot AKA Hobbit feet.

I’ve worn the Metcon 10 for up to two hours during training and it never felt uncomfortable, but I did notice the shoes aren’t as well ventilated as other training shoes. There was noticeably more sweat than with other trainers and it didn’t bother me but your mileage may vary.

Drew: Amen to the lack of ventilation. Luckily I live in dry Colorado because my gym doesn’t have A/C and wearing it on 95+ degree days left my socks soaked. Not sure what’ll happen to those attempting to wear the Nike Metcon 10 for non-indoor training in the sweltering heat of a southern US summer.

But at least that lack of ventilation means Nike put padding in all the right places such as around the ankle collar and the tongue. It almost feels like sliding on a Brooks running shoe. I’m not used to that much plushness in the upper of a cross training shoe.

Oh, and the “lace tuck” area at the top of the tongue was a nice touch. Unnecessary on a training shoe but fun nonetheless.

Sizing

Arune: This is where I think Drew and I may differ the most.

My regular training shoe size – a Men’s 9.5 – was basically a perfect fit but I do wonder if a half size up might be even better (and perhaps give my foot the room to breathe).

I’ve seen debate over going up half a size or not, so this is one definitely worth trying on – or ordering from Nike given their generous return policy.

Drew: My regular size of the Nike Metcon 10 was way too tight. I don’t mind the low clearance of the upper but there’s not enough room for my admittedly long toes. Once I got a pair that was a half size up from my normal Nike shoe size, I finally had enough wiggle room. I’d recommend everyone go up half a size from their typical Nike size in order to get the normal amount of space.

Aesthetics

Arune: No matter how you feel about Nike shoes on feet, there’s one thing you can’t deny – they know how to make good looking shoes.

And the Nike Metcon 10 is the first Metcon in years that seems to remember that.

Gone are the giant pieces of plastic and unappealing color patterns. Yes, this is distinctly a training shoe when you look at it but the low profile look matched with some more appealing colorways – including some very clearly nodding to sports teams, like the New York Knicks – make this a shoe you’ll wear from Equinox to Erewhon [Editor’s Note: yeah, we know you live in LA].

Drew: The boring black/white colorway of the Nike Metcon 10 I received notwithstanding, it’s a well thought out design that takes color well and will get some looks at the gym. True, getting looks because of your impressive physique is the best one can do at the gym. For the rest of us, getting double takes due to our sweet sneakers is a suitable, more attainable alternative.

Is the Nike Metcon 10 worth $155?

Arune: Yes, without any caveats given the Nike Metcon 10 is in line with the median training shoe price but delivers at the high end of performance.

Drew: Yes, $155 feels about right given the current price of a typical cross training shoe. The Nike Metcon 10 delivers sufficient value to recommend at its retail price.

Nike Metcon 10 Final Verdict

Arune: We’re now three-fourths of the way through 2025 and there is no doubt in my mind that the Nike Metcon 10 is the training shoe of the year.

This is an incredible return to form for Nike for a model that many of us had written off as a top tier training shoe contender.

This is my everyday training shoe and it’s hard to imagine this being topped by anything in the next few months.

Drew: While it’s not my cross training shoe of the year, the Nike Metcon 10 is in the top tier of training options. And, especially if you’re more into lifting than cardio, the Metcon 10 will be a dependable, versatile, and high performing gym companion.

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