R.A.D® One V2 training shoe sits next to a Nike Metcon 10 training shoe
Brand: Nike Brand: R.A.D® Comparison crossfit Strength training Training Shoes weightlifting
Stephen G 12 min read

R.A.D® ONE V2 vs. Nike Metcon 10: Which Should You Buy?

Short answer: Both are strength-focused training shoes, and both lean more toward lifting in our testing. Get the Nike Metcon 10 if heavy lifting is your top priority: it earns a perfect 10 for lifting and is one of our two best shoes for heavy lifting. Get the R.A.D® ONE V2 if your workouts mix lifting with box jumps, burpees and double-unders: it's nearly as stable (9.5 for lifting), springier, and a little better on short runs. Neither is a running shoe. They're within $5 of each other at full price.

These are two of our top three all-around shoes for CrossFit, and honestly, there's no wrong answer here. The difference is in the feel: the ONE V2 feels dynamic and springy, the Metcon 10 feels planted, structured and familiar. Here's how to pick after training in both and fitting a lot of athletes into them.

The quick verdict

Choose the R.A.D® ONE V2 if you…

  • Want a strength-focused shoe that's still springy for box jumps, burpees and double-unders
  • Do strength-focused CrossFit where lifting, jumping and functional movements make up most of the workout
  • Want slightly better short-run comfort than the Metcon 10 (5.5 vs 4.5 for running)
  • Like a bold, statement look
  • Wear a men's size under 8 (it goes down to men's 4.5)

Choose the Nike Metcon 10 if you…

  • Squat, deadlift, clean or snatch heavy most weeks
  • Want one of the most stable, planted platforms short of a lifting shoe
  • Want a shoe that feels right on day one, with no break-in
  • Train in a hot gym and want a lighter, more breathable upper
  • Wear a men's 14

R.A.D® ONE V2 vs. Nike Metcon 10 at a glance

R.A.D® ONE V2 Nike Metcon 10
Best for Strength-focused CrossFit and functional fitness Heavy lifting and strength-dominant CrossFit workouts
Box Basics lifting score 9.5 / 10 10 / 10
Box Basics running score 5.5 / 10 4.5 / 10
Overall Balance 7.5 / 10 7.25 / 10
Feel Dynamic, springy, stable Planted, structured, familiar
Heel TPU heel clip, 360° stability Hyperlift heel plate
Midsole SwellFoam™ springy EVA ReactX foam
Outsole Full rubber herringbone; wave wrap for rope climbs Flex grooves; sticky rubber at midfoot and toe
Upper Reinforced mesh with suede overlays; can feel warm Haptic-print reinforced upper; light and breathable
Toe box / width Wide Wide
Fit out of the box Snug at first; breaks in after a few sessions True to size; no break-in needed
Listed weight 12.9 oz Men's 12 oz · Women's 9.2 oz
Listed heel-to-toe drop 6 mm 4 mm
Running Occasional short runs Short intervals
Look Bold wave overlays; a statement sneaker Clean and streamlined
Customer rating at Box Basics* 4.9 / 5 (155 reviews) 4.9 / 5 (70 reviews)
Full price* $150.00 $154.95 ($164.95 for SE colorways)
Sizes at Box Basics Unisex: men's 4.5–13 (women's 6 and up) Men's 8–14 · Women's 6–11 (separate models)

*Ratings and prices as of November 3, 2026. Some Metcon 10 colorways are on sale for less; see live prices and stock on the R.A.D® ONE V2 and Metcon 10 pages. Weight and drop are listed specs from the brands, not our measurements.

How our scores work

Our running, lifting and Overall Balance scores come from the Box Basics Hybrid Performance Index™, updated October 2026. Each shoe gets a score out of 10 for running and for lifting, based on our real-world testing and experience fitting athletes. They're not manufacturer specs or lab measurements.

Overall Balance is the average of the two. A higher number means stronger combined performance, but it doesn't mean a shoe is equally good at both. The ONE V2's 7.5 comes from 5.5 running and 9.5 lifting, so always compare the individual scores to match a shoe to your training.

How they feel

R.A.D® ONE V2: dynamic and springy

If you asked us where to start for CrossFit, we'd probably hand you a pair of R.A.D® ONE V2s. It's an excellent strength-focused trainer: outstanding lifting stability, while still handling dynamic gym movements and occasional short runs. The SwellFoam™ midsole is springy for box jumps and double-unders, and the TPU heel clip keeps you stable when you squat.

It's comfortable enough that you can wear it all day, and it's tough. We've sold a lot of ONE V2s and returns have been relatively low. People who own a pair often want another.

Its 5.5 running score tells an important story, though. This isn't a shoe we'd recommend for longer runs. It shines when lifting, jumping and functional movements make up most of your workout. And if we had to find another weakness, it isn't the lightest training shoe out there, and the suede overlays can feel warm in a hot gym.

Read our full R.A.D® ONE V2 review →

Nike Metcon 10: planted, structured, familiar

The Metcon 10 feels like a return to form for the line. It has a wide, stable base, great durability and the kind of planted feel you want when the weight on the bar starts getting heavy. The Hyperlift heel plate keeps you locked in, and the ReactX foam gives just enough bounce for box jumps and sled pushes. If lifting performance is your top priority, the Metcon 10 and the TYR CXT-3 lead our index.

That stability comes with a trade-off. With a running score of 4.5, it's one of the least running-oriented training shoes in our index. Can you run short intervals in it? Yes. But if running makes up a big part of your training, there are more comfortable options. It feels right from the first workout, with no break-in period.

Read our full Nike Metcon 10 review →

Which is better for your workout?

If your training includes… Our pick Why
Heavy squats, deadlifts, cleans and snatches Metcon 10 Lifting score of 10 vs 9.5. The Hyperlift heel plate gives the more planted base, but it's close.
Strength-focused CrossFit with jumping and gymnastics R.A.D® ONE V2 Nearly as stable, with a springier SwellFoam™ midsole for box jumps, burpees and double-unders.
Short runs inside workouts R.A.D® ONE V2, slightly Running score of 5.5 vs 4.5. Both are fine for short runs; neither is built for longer ones.
Lots of running, or runs over a mile Neither Look at the Nike Free Metcon 7 (7.5 running / 7.5 lifting) or a run-first hybrid like the adidas Adizero Dropset Pro (9 / 6.5).
Rope climbs Either The ONE V2 has a wave wrap on the outsole; the Metcon 10 has sticky midfoot rubber and a haptic-print upper. Both hold up.
Wide feet Either We rate both as Wide. The Metcon 10 will have a little more room in the toe-box.
Hot gyms and summer training Metcon 10 Lighter, more breathable upper. The ONE V2's suede overlays can feel warm.
Training today, straight out of the box Metcon 10 No break-in. The ONE V2 is snug at first and settles in after a few sessions.
Wearing them outside the gym Either The ONE V2 is comfortable enough to wear all day; the Metcon 10 looks good outside the gym. Pick by look: bold (ONE V2) or streamlined (Metcon 10).
Lowest price R.A.D® ONE V2 $150.00 vs $154.95 at full price. Some Metcon 10 colorways are on sale for less.

Fit and sizing

  • R.A.D® ONE V2: It fits snug out of the box and breaks in after a few sessions. It's slightly wider than the original R.A.D® ONE, with a secure, medium overall feel and a wide toe box.
  • Nike Metcon 10: True to size, with a roomier toe box than older Metcons. If you liked the snug fit of earlier versions, this one's a bit more relaxed without losing support.
  • Unisex sizing on the ONE V2: The ONE V2 is sized in US men's, with the women's size shown next to it. Women's sizes are 1.5 larger than men's, so a men's 8 is a women's 9.5. The Metcon 10 comes in separate men's and women's versions.
  • Size range: The ONE V2 runs from men's 4.5 (women's 6) to men's 13. The Metcon 10 runs men's 8–14 and women's 6–11. If you wear a men's 14, the Metcon 10 is your pick.
  • Between sizes? Email support@shopboxbasics.com and our team will help you pick. Our Training Shoe Width Guide compares the width of every trainer we carry.

Where each one gives something up

R.A.D® ONE V2

  • It's not a running shoe. A 5.5 running score means it's best kept to occasional short runs.
  • It isn't the lightest training shoe out there (12.9 oz listed).
  • The suede overlays can feel warm in hot gyms, and it needs a few sessions to break in.
  • The bold wave design won't be for everyone.

Nike Metcon 10

  • Running is its weakest area. With a 4.5 running score, it's one of the least running-oriented trainers in our index.
  • It's a little less springy for jumps and double-unders than the ONE V2.
  • It costs $4.95 more at full price, and $14.95 more for SE colorways.

Not sold on either?

Scores below are from the same Hybrid Performance Index (running / lifting).

  • adidas Dropset 4 (5.5 / 9.5): identical scores to the ONE V2 and the third shoe in our top three for CrossFit. It feels a little lighter, more flexible and more breathable.
  • TYR CXT-3 (3.5 / 10): shares the top lifting score with the Metcon 10, with an even stiffer, more rigid platform.
  • STR/KE MVMNT Haze Trainer (7 / 8.5): our best lift-leaning hybrid. A better runner than either of these, with a low 4 mm drop.
  • Nike Free Metcon 7 (7.5 / 7.5): the most evenly balanced shoe in our index. Pick it if your workouts mix running and lifting equally.
  • adidas Adizero Dropset Pro (9 / 6.5): our best run-first hybrid, and our pick for HYROX training.

Honestly? If you had all of these sitting in front of you, we'd tell you to try them on. Your feet may make the decision pretty quickly.

Buying from Box Basics

  • Stock: Both shoes are in stock across multiple colorways. Exact sizes are shown live on each product page.
  • Shipping: Free shipping on every U.S. order.
  • Returns: 30-day returns on new, unworn shoes. See our return policy.
  • Wrong size? Return the original and place a new order for the right size, so your new pair ships right away.
  • Who we are: Box Basics has outfitted functional fitness athletes since 2013 and shipped more than 500,000 orders.

Shop the R.A.D® ONE V2: Flat White (unisex) → · Black/Gum (unisex) → · All colorways →

Shop the Nike Metcon 10: Men's → · Women's → · All colorways →

Frequently asked questions

Is the R.A.D ONE V2 or the Nike Metcon 10 better for CrossFit?

Both are in our top three all-around shoes for CrossFit, and both are strength-focused. Choose the Metcon 10 if your workouts lean toward a heavy barbell. Choose the R.A.D ONE V2 if they mix lifting with lots of box jumps, burpees and double-unders.

Which is better for heavy lifting?

The Metcon 10, by a small margin. It scores a perfect 10 out of 10 for lifting in our testing, and the R.A.D ONE V2 scores 9.5. Both are stable enough for heavy squats and deadlifts.

Which is better for running?

The R.A.D ONE V2, slightly. It scores 5.5 out of 10 for running vs 4.5 for the Metcon 10. Both are best kept to short runs. If your workouts include a lot of running, choose the Nike Free Metcon 7 or a run-first hybrid like the adidas Adizero Dropset Pro.

Which is better for HYROX?

Neither. Half of HYROX is running, and these are two of the most lifting-focused shoes we carry. For HYROX training and racing, choose a run-first hybrid like the adidas Adizero Dropset Pro or Nike Hybrid RN. They're built with more stability and grip for the stations than a typical running shoe, which can make them a better race-day choice.

What does Overall Balance mean?

Overall Balance is the average of a shoe's running and lifting scores in the Box Basics Hybrid Performance Index. The R.A.D ONE V2 scores 7.5 and the Metcon 10 scores 7.25, but both lean heavily toward lifting, so compare the individual scores to match a shoe to your training.

How does R.A.D ONE V2 sizing work?

The R.A.D ONE V2 is unisex and sized in US men's. Women's sizes are 1.5 larger, so a men's 8 is a women's 9.5. It fits snug at first and breaks in after a few sessions.

Do the R.A.D ONE V2 and Metcon 10 fit the same?

Not quite. Both have a wide toe box. The Metcon 10 is true to size and needs no break-in. The R.A.D ONE V2 feels snug out of the box and opens up after a few sessions.

Which is better for wide feet?

Both. We rate the R.A.D ONE V2 and the Metcon 10 as Wide in our Training Shoe Width Guide. Metcon 10 has a wider toe-box.

Which is lighter?

The Metcon 10. Its listed weight is 12 oz for men's vs 12.9 oz for the R.A.D ONE V2.

Is the R.A.D ONE V2 durable?

Yes. It has a reinforced upper, a reinforced toe bumper and a full rubber herringbone outsole. We've sold a lot of pairs and returns have been relatively low.

Which costs less?

The R.A.D ONE V2, at $150.00 vs $154.95 for the Metcon 10 at full price. Some Metcon 10 colorways are on sale for less.

How we tested: Our staff trained in both shoes through heavy lifts, metcons, box jumps, double-unders, rope climbs, sled work and short runs. Our running and lifting scores reflect that testing plus our experience fitting athletes across CrossFit, hybrid training, strength training and functional fitness. Box Basics sells both shoes; these recommendations are our own.

Written by Steve at Box Basics. Last updated November 3, 2026.

More from Box Basics: How Much Can You Run in Training Shoes? · Nike Metcon 10 vs. Free Metcon 7 · Training Shoe Width Guide