Nike Metcon vs Romaleos Review – Which Gym Shoe is Right for You?

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The Nike Metcons and Romaleos are two training shoes with major differences. I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on both of these shoes.

Now I know, the differences are obvious to many.

One is a pure weightlifting shoe and the other is a CrossFit focused, all-rounder of a training shoe.

But some of you may wonder, ‘do I need weightlifting shoes, or should I buy an all-round training shoe like the new Metcons?’ Probably one of the most popular all-round cross training shoes on the market today.

Here’s where I’m coming from when it comes to the Metcon vs Romaleos.

I’ve always done squats and deadlifts and other activities like running, jumping etc. within my gym workouts.

I have owned and tested several pairs of the Nike Metcons…

But when it comes to which one you should buy between the Metcons and the Romaleos, it really depends on what your workouts are like…

Metcons Vs Romaleos – What is the Difference?

Metcon 8

To put it simply, the Nike Metcon is a training shoe designed for high intensity workouts and functional fitness activities. It has a low profile design with a flat, stable heel, a flexible forefoot, and a more responsive cushioning system.

The Metcon shoe’s upper is made from a breathable mesh material and features a secure fit with Flywire cables and a heel clip for added stability. The outsole is made from a hard durable rubber material and features a sticky tread pattern for traction on a variety of surfaces.

Romaleo 4

The Nike Romaleo 4 is a weightlifting shoe designed for heavy lifting and powerlifting exercises. It has a high profile design with a raised heel and a very sturdy platform for stability during squats and other lifts.

The upper is made from a tough-wearing woven material and features a lace-up and velcro securing system for a very secure fit. The outsole is made from a solid rubber material and features a flat, non-marking tread pattern for stability on the lifting platform.

The Romaleos Are My First Pair of Weightlifting Shoes

When it comes to weightlifting shoes, I’ve never owned a pair.

I’ve always thought that because I’m not a powerlifter or I’m not going for any sort of serious Olympic strength record that I don’t really need to spend money on a specific pair of shoes that I only wear for two exercises.

So I carried on with my regular shoes, my Metcons and Converse Chuck Taylors. 

Key Features Comparison

Support and Stability

The Nike Metcon is more of a versatile training shoe, offering good support in a variety of movements.

The thing is that the support is not as strong as a dedicated weightlifting shoe, which make it less suitable for heavy lifting sessions.

On the other hand, the Nike Romaleos 4 is specifically designed for weightlifting, providing excellent support and stability through its raised heel and reinforced midfoot.

Comfort and Fit

The Nike Metcon has got a more comfortable fit, I actually think in more recent times the Metcon has become overall more soft as an overall shoe.

This can make it a better choice for longer training sessions and cross-training workouts.

The Nike Romaleos however are also comfortable, but with their focus on stability and support it makes them somewhat less comfortable for prolonged use or for anything other than just lifting.

The Romaleos are strictly for lifting activities only.

Outsole and Traction

Both the Metcon 8 and Romaleos 4 have outsoles designed for excellent traction on gym surfaces.

They both work very well for their suggested uses. The Metcon has a slightly more flexible outsole, which is better suited for multi-directional movements, while the Romaleos 4 features a wide, flat outsole to provide maximum stability during weightlifting sessions.

Durability and Materials

The Nike Metcons are made with high-quality materials and are designed to withstand a lot of the rigors of you’d expect from varied cross-training sessions.

They feature a durable upper, a cushioned foam midsole, and a solid outsole. The Nike Romaleos 4 is likewise built with sturdy materials to endure the demands of weightlifting.

They have a more reinforced toe box, midfoot, and outsole to ensure longevity.

Nike Metcons vs Romaleos – What Do They Feel Like?

The most obvious and noticeable difference from the first moment I tried both of these shoes out is how sturdy the Romaleos 4 weightlifting shoes are.

The Romaleos feel like they weigh probably a third more than the Metcon 8 do and they have no spring or bounce in them.

Exactly what you expect. They’re like anchors holding you down and keeping you planted in place.

The Romaleos 4 are not just a hard and heavy shoe though; they hug my feel and make me feel very supported.

I have a slight pronation in my feet and the arch area in particular gets a good level of support.

There is of course as you can see from the outside of the shoe a slight lift in the heel. 0.75 inches to be exact.

Romaleo 4 Sizing Problems?

When it comes to sizing, Some have mentioned heel slip with these, and that you may need to order a half size or even a full size down. But I cannot say I have experienced anything like that myself.

I actually think that could be down to not buying the correct size. I haven’t experienced any slipping at all; but still, do make sure you try before you buy.

Romaleo 4 Materials

The most noticeable elements you will see with these is the thickness and the hardness of the materials used, namely the front of the shoe and the ankle area, these materials seem really well stitched and durable, however.

I can’t say much about the durability of these in comparison to other models of the Romaleos as this is my first ever pair, but I will say that the materials used and the stitching seem really strong and hard-wearing from touch and feel.

Now when I switched back to the Metcons, the difference was of course night and day. 

At the heavier end of the squat workout I was doing comfortably in the Romaleos, when I switched to the Metcons and tried squatting the same weight, I just didn’t have the same ability to carry out the squat.

At that moment I realized that when it comes to Metcons vs Romaleos, I need the Romaleos in my life!

Metcons vs Romaleos – Summary

In summary, the main differences between the Nike Metcon 8 and the Nike Romaleo 4 are the type of training they are designed for and their overall design.

The Metcon 8 is geared towards functional fitness and high intensity workouts, while the Romaleo 4 is designed specifically for weightlifting and powerlifting. The Metcon 8 has a low profile design with a flexible forefoot and responsive cushioning, while the Romaleo 4 has a high profile design with a raised heel and a sturdy platform for stability during lifts.

Frequently Asked Questions