I’m going to jump straight in and say one thing — Metcons are finally back. And what a relief that is, because I haven’t slipped on a pair of Metcons for cross training in quite some time.
I was lucky enough to be one of a select group of people who attended the WIT x Nike launch of the Nike Metcon 10 at The Nike Training Lab in London this month, and as such, got to lace up a pair of the 10s for a test ride during a team-based 30-minute hybrid workout (think lunges, calorie machines, burpees and wall balls).
This allowed me to put the Metcon 10 through the sweat test and see how it fares against the previous iterations of the Metcon shoe — and the pretty saturated and very competitive cross training shoe market.
But is this one of the best cross training shoes you can buy this year? I got stuck in to find out.
Nike Metcon 10: Price and availability
The Nike Metcon 10 shoe will be available exclusively at the Nike x WIT Training Lab on 2nd-3rd August 2025, then available online at WIT and Nike from August 4th. It retails at $155 / £129.
I trained in the Nike Metcon 10 cross training shoe — here’s my verdict
“A decade in, we revisited the DNA of what makes Metcon the global standard in training footwear and obsessed over the balanced system of strength that Metcon stands for: stability, grip, lockdown and mobility,” Eric Gleason, product line manager at Nike Training, explains.
“In designing the Metcon 10, we really streamlined the build and focused on going back to the foundation of what makes Metcon great, listening to the voices of athletes across all disciplines and intensities to create a shoe that reflects the way they train today.”
Grip
As someone who mainly does CrossFit for exercise, I really appreciate grip in a cross training shoe, and it’s not achieved that easily when you consider the mix of terrain you train in — outdoor weather, rubber gym floors, sled tracks, rope climbs and even climbing feet up and down walls at times.
I can only speak for my experience during the initial team workout inside a gym setting, but so far, so good. The Wit x Nike team designed a workout to match the shoe, which can handle weightlifting, functional workouts and cross training.
The full-length rubber outsole holds its own with plenty of traction, and interestingly, the pronounced rubber wrap rope guard present in the Nike Metcon 9 (which seriously divided crowds at the time of release) has been pared back “to be effective but not excessive.”
The shoe looks a bit more like the 7 — sleek, unassuming — and retains its grip. Looks were hardly an issue with Metcons in the first place, but the 10 is seriously good-looking.
I always wondered why the rope guard was such a huge feature of the 9, given how rare it was for rope climbs to feature in my CrossFit gym workouts, and funnily enough, athletes reported the same back to Nike.
Versatility
This is where the 10 truly shines, for the first time in a long time. The very definition of cross training is versatility, so your shoe should be versatile, too. This was missing from the Nike Metcon 9, and in my opinion, the Nike Metcon 8, too. In fact, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
I’d argue the entire cross training community was collectively pretty vocal about the 9 — great as a stability shoe for lifting heavy weights, but not for much else. The team says they listened to athlete feedback to revisit and redesign the 10, and they’ve packed flexibility into the shoe wherever possible.
With the redesign, the Nike Metcon 10 is more lightweight and agile, more flexible from the second you lace it up. Yes, it retains that all-important stability for functional training, but the 10 feels entirely different on foot — more pliable, bouncy and fun to wear.
During the 30-minute workout, we moved through a series of exercises in teams of three, sharing the load. Rowing, C2 bikes, lunges, kettlebell burpees, wall balls, and swings all featured, and the shoes handled all of these well. So much so that I actually forgot what I had on my feet, which is a good thing.
Another addition is the flex grooves, which help the foot move more freely and increase agility. I can agree that you definitely get a better sense of freedom during cardio exercises, compared with the 8 and 9 iterations.
I’m relieved the product design team made a change, because I think the 10 could be the best release in a long time.
Fit and stability
The Metcon 10 features a wider forefoot, which allows for better toe splay during lifts. Translated: increased stability and power. I sized up because I like to exercise in sports socks, but even so, the experience of putting the 10s on is that it feels more pliable and roomy.
The Nike team minimized the Hyperlift plate and firmed up the foam in the heel, finishing with dual-density ReactX midsole cushioning. The idea is to reduce the weight of the shoe and its stiffness and boost energy return; the result is a wide flat heel for a more stable base and better bounce, and the difference is really clear if you’re lucky enough to wear the Nike Metcon 9 and 10 to compare.
My main issue — and the reason I switched to the R.A.D. One V2 — is that the stiff, heavy feel of the 8 and 9 actually hindered some exercises like burpees or runs. This added energy return is noticeable and a great addition to the Metcon 10.
Lockdown
Forget about faffing with lace systems, because the lace-lock addition keeps the laces secure so that you don’t find them shaking out during double-unders or runs.
I tend to double lace anyway, so this is the least of my worries, but I’m also not a professional athlete. I had no problems with my laces during testing. Apparently, the design feeds into lateral motion and helps secure the foot better, alongside a padded collar.
My ankles felt supported during lateral kettlebell jumps, but that’s about all the side-to-side motion I can speak for at present.
Verdict
We. Are. Back.
Could this be Nike's best release yet? I think so. I've got a lot more testing to do before I can give my final verdict, but I can say this: the Nike Metcon 10 is more of everything.
Roomier, more flexible and versatile and even more fun to exercise in. It still retains stability, Nike removed the overbearing rope guard and the grip is definitely there.
It's a winner for me, so far.
