The Nike Metcon 8 isn’t an out-and-out weight-lifting shoe, but its wide, thick heel and solid feel make it just as suited for squatting and deadlifting as it is high-intensity workouts, writes Fred Garratt-Stanley.
You can’t beat a specialist shoe for outright performance, but let’s be honest – the average gym-goer probably doesn’t want to have to fork out for multiple different pairs of kicks, just to perform different types of workout. Fortunately, some of the best gym shoes out there are highly commendable multi-taskers. The Nike Metcon 8 is exactly that: perhaps not quite the ultimate gym shoe, but something which won’t let you down, regardless of whether you’re lifting weights or working on your cardio. Here’s how I felt it performed while putting it to the test myself.
Men’s Fitness verdict
A wide, thick heel and solid feel combine with a springy base to make the Metcon 8 a do-it-all shoe capable of everything from compound lifts to fast-paced HIIT.- Stable and supportive
- Lace lock strap is a practical addition
- Perhaps a little tight around the ankles
- Not specialist lifting shoes
How we test gym shoes
Our team of reviewers are experienced testers of all manner of fitness kit. They put each gym shoe through its paces in a variety of workouts, from treadmill running to strength training, assessing them in terms of fit, comfort, and performance. They also paid close attention to the materials used throughout the shoe, the sizes and widths available, and the shoes’s total weight.
The Nike Metcon 8 is less of a specialist weight-lifting shoe and more of a versatile gym shoe. It provides plenty of stability and support during heavy lifting, but is great if you want to perform a more mixed set of gym exercises as well. How does it achieve this? Well, here are all the design features you need to be aware of:
Nike Metcon 8 design features
This shoe has a wide, thick heel, with Nike React foam designed to give you a cushioned, springy base. That platform provides stability throughout lifting sessions, giving the shoes a solid feel with lots of protection. The traction offered by the shoe’s rubber tread, meanwhile, provides ample grip.
By contrast, the uppers are fairly light, creating a good balance between sturdiness, flexibility and low weight. It’s a compromise that means we could realistically include the Nike Metcon 8 in multiple other categories, not just shoes for heavy lifting.
The lace lock feature is a good addition, and one I haven’t had on a trainer before. It helps keep your focus on the training session, rather than whether your laces might loosen.
Things to consider before buying
As much as I like plenty of aspects of the shoe’s design, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it was perfect. For example, the velcro strap can get in the way while you’re actually tying your laces up, so you’re best off tucking the strap underneath the lower laces while you’re tying the knot.
Another potentially more serious con is that these gym shoes are a little tight around the ankles. That does help provide a stable grounding for you to be able to lift from, but equally could be a dealbreaker if the fit doesn’t match your own personal preference.
How does it compare against rival shoes?
You’ll get a good idea of how sturdy this shoe is when you walk around the gym (or retailer’s) floor and hear your heel clip-clopping across the ground. However, it’s significantly comfier and lighter than the Legacy Lifter II.
It’s no slight on the Lifter, which is a specialist lifting shoe packed with hefty reinforcement, but if you’re after something a bit lighter and more versatile that can still handle heavy lifting sessions, the Nike Metcon 8 is a good bet.
If you do prefer that slightly less restrictive feel from your gym shoe, the Reebok Nano X3 is another option that’s definitely worth considering. It also offers ample cushioning, top-notch traction, and good lateral support, but tips the scales at about 50 grams less than the Metcon 8. Plus, if you were to ask my opinion on style, I’d say the Reebok certainly gives the Metcon 8 a run for its money.
Of course, if lightness is the feel that you’re after, you can always push the boat out even further and opt for something like the Vivobarefoot Motus Flex. This dedicated shoe has a wide, flat base that makes it perfect for weightlifting. And when I say flat, I really do mean flat. For some people, that might be a drawback though, as it consequently lacks cushioning in favor of a more sock-like, barely-there feel.
Overall though, if you’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to gym shoes, then you need to seriously consider the inov8 Bare-XF. If you can look past the bland aesthetics, this specialist lifter packs a real punch in terms of the amount of quality and well-thought-out design features it offers. In addition to simply being very comfortable, the Bare-XF also promotes better foot form thanks to its wide toe box and ‘zero drop’ flat foundation.
| Features | Mesh upper with synthetic overlays; Nike React Foam midsole; rubber outsole |
| Weight | 12.4oz / 352g |
| Colors | 6 stock designs available, each multi-colored |
