Pros:
- Comfortable
- Great rope protection
- Very grippy tread
Cons:
- Expensive
- Wide fit
- Heel slips a little
Verdict:
No major upgrades over the Metcon 2 – People love them but they are not our favorite CrossFit shoes
More Information:
Unfortunately, there are no major improvements to report with the Nike Metcon 3s. Really the only upgrade we have noticed is that the forefoot has a little more spring to it, which is good for box jumps, tire flips and other related movements. Other than that, the Metcon 3s still have a fairly grippy outsole and solid rope protection. They also have the slider on the heel, which is nice for handstand pushups.
On the downside, the fit still isn’t great for me – my heel slips and the lockdown is just average. Maybe it’s just me – I’ve heard they fit fine for others – but If I’m going into my closet to grab a pair of CrossFit shoes I will not be choosing any of the Metcon models. The Metcon 3s weigh around 12.7 ounces and they just generally look and feel big on my feet as well. We would recommend you save your money and snag a deal on the Nike Metcon 2s (or other Reebok CrossFit shoes) instead.
I had high hopes for the new Metcon DSX but after testing them I came away with a similar opinion to the 3s…overrated. I don’t think they’re worth their original MSRP of $160. The DSXs have similar issues in terms of the heel and lockdown as the Metcon 3s. As far as what’s different, the DSXs have a breathable FlyKnit upper, a little more structure in the insole and less cushion in the forefoot. They also have a 6mm drop rather than the 4mm drop you see with the 3s, which make the DSXs slightly better for running (but we don’t you’ll notice the difference).
Overall, we aren’t the biggest fans of the Metcon series. Unless you are a major Nike fan or have wide feet, we would recommend looking elsewhere for CrossFit shoes.
