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Review: Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion

Gear Reviews

Review: Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion

A staple at the recently concluded 2015 CrossFit Games, the Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion is one of the sportswear giant’s standout training shoes. It’s a hybrid of the brilliant Pump ZPump Fusion and the five years in the making CrossFit Nano 5.0. We’ve had a couple of staff members here at Football Fashion keeping fit via weightlifting, Cross Fit and Orange Theory works in the Nano Pumps over the past week and a half. What did they find? Read on to find out!

Review: Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion

What is the CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion?

In a nutshell it is a state of the art cross trainer designed with CrossFit in mind. Given the brutal and multifaceted approach of CrossFit, the shoe is at home and can withstand the abuse of just about any gym session. Here is what’s under its hood based on Reebok’s specification sheet.

  • Synthetic, Kevlar- infused mesh shell upper for 360-degree durability and breathability
  • Pump Air Cage for support at the collar and a locked-in feel over the shoe platform
  • CMEVA rebound foam midsole with a NanoShell cover for cushion and protection
  • Stretch Kevlar – infused fusion fit sleeve for durability and reduced irritation
  • RopePro for abrasion resistance and raised lugs for more surface area and traction
  • MetaSplit expansion grooves in the forefoot for better toe splay and enhanced stability
  • Low-cut design for quick mobility and a wraparound graphic for an action-ready look.

Review: Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion

Fit

The Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion runs true to size. This fact coupled with the built-in Pump technology means that you should get it in your normal training shoe size. Don’t expect its upper to stretch at all like many synthetics since it’s made of unyielding Kevlar (the same material used to make many bullet proof vests).

All of the shoe’s other features aside, its customizable fit because of its Air Cage makes the CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion stand out in the cross trainer genre. The ability to make the get an exact fit to your foot ensure stability and no slippage in any exercise that you do. Unlike other trainers around, you can adjust the fit based on what you are doing. For instance, you might want a tighter fit for a sled push. Adjust these babies and get into beast mode.

Review: Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion

Aesthetics

We’re totally enthralled by the look of the Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion. The first collection of the shoe comes only with near blackout uppers with brightly colored lace eyelets and rear sole areas. As fans of all things blackout or near blackout, we think that the colorways are brilliant. Without getting into the additional details of the shoe, just looking at their side profiles is so appealing that you just want to get them on your feet and into the gym. Inspiration to train perhaps?

The upper of the Nano Pump Fusion is all business and extremely functional but put together in a very attractive package. The Kevlar that it is made of is augmented with a rubberized material from its front to its sides. The front material includes CrossFit-inspired graphics while the large “pump” text that is the signature of the current generation of the Reebok Pump range runs across the entire midfoot area. While this all looks good we appreciated the material for the protection and traction that it provided in everything from rope climbs to getting secure foot grips on rowing machines and spin cycle.

Review: Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion

Our only recommendation for Reebok’s designers would be to include the brand’s logo somewhere on the side of the CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion. Although the top of the tongue does say “Reebok CrossFit” a little extra branding on what is close to a blackout shoe ensures that admirers know who made it instead of thinking that it is from a specialized, boutique company. However, even without a blatant Reebok logo, even casual CrossFitters will recognize the shoe.

How did the Nano Pump Fusion do at the gym?

That’s the all-important question. The short answer is that they performed brilliantly as cross trainers across all of the weightlifting, bodyweight and cardio (rowing machine, spin cycle, short runs) exercises that we performed.

Our favorite characteristic of the Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion was the incredible stability and support that it provided. This is best seen in one of the mack daddy of moves in the gym – the deadlift.

Imagine picking up barbell loaded with 225 lbs. and doing four sets of 10 reps with it. You need form, strength and solid footing. While the Nano Pump doesn’t give you the first two, it will lock allow you to lock your feet into a sock like fit that has zero slippage. At the same time, its low heel to toe drop CMEVA sole and forefoot expansion grooves keep your feet cemented to the ground as you pull up then go back down to the floor. The net effect is the fact that your do not think about your footing at all through this brutal move. The same applies for other compound exercises such as the squat, barbell rows and clean and jerks. That’s what you want in a hardcore cross trainer.

Review: Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion

On the run

The Reebok Pump ZPump Fusion was the first shoe in the 2015 Pump collection. It is a splendid running shoe across all distances. The Nano Pump Fusion is built for short distances however. They are fine for slower paced runs of up to 5K that are a staple of many CrossFit WODs. However, they are not the meant for anything more though. The foot cushioning and ventilation through the Kevlar upper needed for long distance running are not part of the technology used for this shoe. If you’re running anything more than 5K then stick to running shoes.

Durability

Our testers have both logged ten hours of cross training in the Reebok Nano Pump Fusion. They report that the shoe is as tough as they come and expect it to last at least a year. The only sign of wear on it is the Kevlar creasing towards the front of the shoe. This is not unexpected of any shoe given the amount of bending that occurs in this area of the foot and occurs with all shoes. They expected Kevlar not to crease because of its bad boy reputation.

Final Thoughts

Visually stunning, customizable, sturdy and extremely functional, the Reebok Pump ZPump Fusion is one of the standout training shoes of 2015. If you’re like a professional soccer player and incorporate gym work into your off the pitch training regimen then we recommend having a look at them.

Review: Reebok CrossFit Nano Pump Fusion

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