Shoe Reviews — Brand: Nike

The all-new Nike Metcon 9 has dropped, and folks in the training shoe scene were pretty stoked about it. We knew it was going to get a serious makeover, and boy, did it deliver! One of the first things you notice when you put the shoe on is a wider toe box.

The Nike Free Metcon 5 offers immediate comfort and notable improvements over its predecessor, especially in its more stretchy and breathable upper. Although its midsole and outsole remain similar to the Free Metcon 4, the shoe now features a larger opening in the tongue and collar for easier wear.

Overall, the Nike Metcon 8 is an excellent shoe. It's built on the same tooling as the Metcon 7 - the midsole and outsole did not change. However, Nike did redo the mesh upper to make it more breathable and durable.

The Nike Romaleos 4 totally nails it with its fresh, stylish makeover and those long-awaited dual straps for extra stability. Plus, they've lightened up the feel and added some breathability, so you won't be sweating buckets during those marathon lifting sessions.