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.
PROS
- Stable and supportive
- Lace lock strap is a practical addition
CONS
- Perhaps a little tight around the ankles
- Not specialist lifting shoes
Fit: 5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Performance: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
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.
It features 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.
The uppers, however, are fairly light, creating a good balance between sturdiness, flexibility and low weight. It’s a compromise that means the Nike Metcon 8 could be included in multiple categories, not just heavy lifting.
The lace lock feature is a good addition, and one we haven’t had on a trainer before. It helps keep your focus on the training session, rather than whether your laces might loosen.
That said, 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.
One potential con is that these gym shoes are a little tight around the ankles, but that does help provide a stable grounding for you to be able to lift from.
You’ll get a good idea of how sturdy this shoe is when you walk around the gym 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.
