In the Metcon 7 this looks like a hard TPU heel to give the features and benefits of a weightlifting shoe, whilst remaining light and flexible enough in the rest of the foot for running. Not a feature I found too useful as it caused a bit of heel slip over time, so I’m glad this has now been incorporated in a more functional way. Previously these were inserts, to go underneath the insole to increase your range of motion if you had somewhat limited ankle mobility. On the foot, this feels a little more comfortable than other training shoes but still solid and dense enough to give the foot the structure and support it needs.Īnother new addition to the sole unit is the Hyperlift heel. The open spring air unit maintains stability without compressing by using a bone like structure to remain light. The plastic heel plate aims to distribute weight evenly from side to side and deliver stability under pressure for a secure feeling when lifting. The sole unit now has added React foam to offer better cushioning that previous versions for high intensity cardio, and to make running workouts that little bit more comfortable. One of the big changes in the Metcon 7 is the midsole. Nike clearly wants to shout about these new technical features so much, they have printed them on their launch lilac and grey colorway with a numbered guide to show you these details. This has resulted in significant technical and performance improvements.
These changes were expected, with Nike making significant design alterations on every odd-numbered iteration. The divided upper and angular rope wraps have gone and been replaced with a sleeker aesthetic. Visually the shoe also looks much more akin to a running shoe than ever before with a chunkier sole containing React foam and a sleeker upper design. The rope wrap on the medial side has been extended to fully wrap up and give better grip and durability, and velcro lock laces have been added to the tongue to keep the laces in place. The first thing to note about the Metcon 7 is a couple of big feature changes. A training shoe needs to be more structured and supportive around the heel so the foot doesn’t sink into a squidgy foamy base, with a low drop to give good ground feel and stability, which the likes of the Reebok Nano, Nobull Trainer and Nike Metcon’s have been designed exactly for.
In short, most running shoes are designed to cushion and absorb a landing, give an explosive toe-off and move the foot forward through the optimal running gait. Having recently put the 5th and 6th version of the Nike Metcon, and Nike’s React Metcon Turbo to the test, I was really excited to see if, and where improvements had been made and if the shoe could stand up to some serious strength training.įor the runners here who add in any type of strength or plyometric training to their programs, it’s vital to have a different pair of shoes for this strength training for both sets to remain fit for purpose. The Nike Metcon 7 claims to be the toughest and most stable Metcon yet- the gold standard for weight training.