Reebok Nano Zero Performance Review

We have waxed philosophical about the game-changing Reebok Nano line and how intertwined it is with the changes in how we train, through the rise of CrossFit and functional fitness classes.

The line celebrated the release of its fifteenth iteration this year, one that earned heaping praise from our reviewers and signaled that the Nano shows no signs of slowing down.

But then Reebok surprised us with the launch of the Reebok Nano Zero, a zero-drop (AKA no difference in midsole stack height between the heel and forefoot) training shoe that taps into the growing desire for a barefoot (or close to it) training alternative from the big shoe companies.

Thankfully Reebok sent some pairs to Stately WearTesters Manor so we could see if the Nano Zero continues the line’s resurgence in recent years or if the Nano goes from hero to…zero. [Editor’s Note: This is what happens when Arune goes unchecked. And you know what? Sometimes I can’t help but just enjoy the ridiculous ride…]

Please note that while Reebok sent us pairs of the Reebok Nano Zero, 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.

What is the Reebok Nano Zero?

Reebok describes it as follows:

“Zero-drop shoes for strength training. Squat rack or deadlift, the Reebok Nano Zero is made for strength training. These training shoes have a zero-drop outsole that lets you feel the ground for natural body alignment. A Stretch FlexWeave upper flexes as you move and lets your toes splay out for stability. The final touch? A midfoot support cage that locks in your foot as you move.”

Training

I’ve had a lot of poor experiences with minimalist, zero-drop, and/or barefoot training shoes. While some brands have been a good fit (such as Xero), the majority of them don’t seem to suit my feet, and the overall upper design tends to interfere with my training.

But given how much I’ve loved the Nano X5, I was excited to see just what Reebok cooked up with the Nano Zero.

There’s a lot of good in the Reebok Nano Zero, beginning with the incredible traction and support. From your heavy squats to single-leg movements like RFESSs (Rear Foot Elevated Split Squats), the Nano Zero keeps you locked into the ground and stable. I tried these on a variety of surfaces and was incredibly impressed at how well they bit into every surface to keep me in place.

The wider, more natural toebox means full toe splay and better stability as you go for those heavy squats or push presses. I didn’t feel any instability as the midsole compressed when I went for PRs.

Similarly, you’ll find the Reebok Nano Zero is a winner when it comes to bodyweight training like push-ups, skaters, and more. This shoe keeps you in place but handles explosive movements without any issue. It’s a Reebok Nano in all the best ways.

If you’ve been interested in more minimalist or barefoot training shoes, these will be a great gateway into that world as they have so much of what makes the Nano line so versatile with your training yet aren’t as extreme a change as something like Vivo.

However…I had one major problem that will affect nearly every section of this review.

The upper isn’t structured like a typical training shoe, and that means the way it collapses on each foot is going to be very different. For me, any bend in the foot results in the upper collapsing on my foot and digging into it like a knife. It’s not as bad as some other brands (looking at you, Vivo), but it’s also not a particularly desirable or sustainable result.

This is the kind of shoe I’d love to train in regularly, but that upper doesn’t work for me.

Cardio

The Reebok Nano Zero is comfortable enough for walking, but this is not a shoe I could wear for anything requiring more severe bending of my feet (which is an odd sentence to type).

The air bike was mostly fine, but moving to a rower or trying sprints were painful for me given how the upper collapsed on top of my foot (as I discussed in the previous section).

Even if you don’t have that same issue, I didn’t experience much energy return from the midsole—which is of course by design in a shoe like this—and I’d rather something like the Nano X5 that is at least comfortable, if not exceptional, in cardio performance.

Your training may focus on specialized shoes for lifting and cardio, so this ultimately may not be a dealbreaker for you.

Comfort

The Reebok Nano Zero is incredibly comfortable underfoot. I enjoy the feel of zero-drop shoes, and this is one of the more comfortable offerings I’ve tried.

Similarly, the upper has a very accommodating shape for folks with a wider forefoot like me and probably could accommodate folks with even wider feet. You’ll get all the space you need to relax your foot in the shoe and focus on training.

I know it’s getting repetitive, but the unstructured upper ruins what is otherwise a great experience. The Stretch FlexWeave is super breathable, really feels like a comfy pair of new socks on your foot, and is otherwise a truly perfect material for a training shoe.

Unfortunately, the upper just didn’t break (pun intended) my way.

Fit

You can comfortably go with your typical Reebok Nano sizing—for me, that’s a 9.5—and this fits with room to spare. I wouldn’t go down half a size unless you have a very narrow foot because I could see the fit being too short at that point.

Aesthetics

The Reebok Nano Zero looks awesome.

So many minimalist, zero-drop, and/or barefoot shoes have a particular look about them that’s certainly distinctive but can also feel loud because they’re so differently designed.

The Reebok Nano Zero is certainly more low profile than the typical training shoe. But it manages to integrate an almost tactical look with the traditional Vans slip-on look and a killer gum sole for something I could imagine folks wearing out as an everyday pair of shoes.

And yes (just because I know Drew would wonder otherwise), I could see this being worn at Erewhon—the ultimate test of any training shoe aesthetic. [Editor’s Note: You covering this from the get-go is really going to save Drew the effort of definitely following up with you about the Nano Zero’s Erewhon-worthiness, Arune.]

Is the Reebok Nano Zero worth $100?

I had to triple check the price on these shoes because I couldn’t believe it.

In a world where even “budget” training shoes can be around $120, this price is an absolute steal and the exact kind of approach that can help either newer or economical athletes keep their shoe rotation fresh (to avoid injuries) without a significant financial investment.

So while this shoe didn’t work out for me, it’s definitely worth the price if the upper flexes more favorably around your foot shape—especially if you get it during one of Reebok’s frequent sales (though the Nano line is often excluded).

Reebok Nano Zero Final Verdict

While this isn’t a shoe I’m going to utilize, the Reebok Nano Zero is a promising start to a new training model.

I’m hopeful that my experience with the upper is the outlier and that this shoe works for more folks. Because there’s a lot of good here—all at an incredible price.