Free Metcon 7 Training Shoe (Men)

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I generally wear a size 10 for Nike (10.5 for most Jordans) and I'd start by saying that these run a bit narrow AND short. I can feel my pinky toes being gently tucked inward and there's a little less room in front of my toes in the toebox than I'd like. This is my first pair of metcons so I can't compare them to previous generations. There are no active hotspots from a comfort standpoint, which is a relief since the heel pull tab does come slightly higher than the heel, but it's short enough that it never actually touches your achilles. I like that most of the upper is a soft mesh (it's thick though so breathability isn't as amazing as your favorite runners) except for the high abrasion zones which are bonded (probably why I feel a bit cramped). The mesh is extremely soft and plush though so even tightening the laces causes no discomfort across the top of my foot. The midsole is very firm and flat, which is great for lifting without being so hard that I haven't been able to do some treadmill work. Overall, I still wish the toebox was a bit wider, but I do have slightly wide feet so YMMV.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] FIT/FEEL: Overall the step in fit and comfort of the shoe is very good. The upper is a mesh material with a lot of flexibility and the shape of the shoe hugs the foot nicely. The uppers flexible material means that the shoe can accommodate a wide range of foot shapes as the the combo of the upper material and lacing system offer great adjustability. While the material is very pliable, when you lace them tight they keep your foot very locked in due to the strong fabric strips that the laces loop through and run vertically down the sides of the shoe. This gives the shoe great horizontal stability when moving side to side. SOLE: The sole is the weakest part of the shoe in my opinion for the following reasons: - too stiff: while not actually super stiff when compared to other trainers, this shoe is billed as a model in the "Nike Free" family, which have splits in the sole to allow for greater flexibility. While there are cuts in this insole, its not as flexible as I would expect and prefer when getting a "Nike Free" shoe. - Foam feels hard and cheap: Not an issue at all when training on soft surfaces, but the firm sole doesn't feel as comfortable when on asphalt/concrete DESIGN: Overall the shoes look good and feel good from a design perspective. However, the tongue design is a bit strange in that it has big "flaps" that tuck inside when laced up, but are pretty thick and causes a bit of a weird feel when laced tight since those tongue extensions are pressing into your foot. I think a better solution would have been to take these "flaps" out and replace them for a different tongue anchoring system I've attached some photos showing this. MATERIALS: Materials are great overall with the exception of the sole. However, These are positioned closer to the lower end of Nike's performance shoes, so its not too much of a surprise that the materials feel cheaper overall WHAT TO CHANGE: - Better Sole Foam/cushioning - tongue design: I think a better solution would have been to take these "flaps" out and replace them for a different tongue anchoring system. I've seen many trainers have elastic sleeves or straps that run down the inside of both sides of the shoe that anchor the tongue down and keep it in place without getting in the way of comfort, performance, and overall wearability. A solution like that would have worked well here.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Nike Free Metcon 7s are awesome. They look incredibly sleek without compromising on comfort or support. I have a wider foot and use these for both gym workouts and walking. While they can start to feel a little tight after longer wear, they are overall very comfortable. I usually need wide widths in other brands, so I was really excited that these Nikes still worked well for me while looking great. The breathable design, cushioning, and heel support all feel high quality. My only request would be a slightly wider toe box, or a wide-width option in the future. Overall, I love them!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The metcon free 7’s were very comfortable for my workout. It felt very versatile and allowed me to transition between weightlifting and cardio very easily. On the other hand, I didn’t find them as stable as my metcon 10’s due to the height of the heel, and I found that they didn’t offer the same amount of grip for heavy sled pushes. That being said, depending on my workout plan for the day, the metcon free 7’s are a great alternative and nice to add into my shoe rotation!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Nike Free Metcon 7 delivers excellent gym performance wrapped in a really sharp, modern design. The fit is incredibly secure, especially thanks to a lacing system that gives you a perfect locked-down feel during high-intensity HIIT exercises. Underfoot, it hits the ideal sweet spot for weightlifting—offering great stability at the heel and fantastic support through the forefoot, all while providing plenty of comfort without being unnecessarily cushiony. What I like most is how stable and balanced I feel during heavy lifts. However, if I could change one thing, it would be the upper material. The fabric feels a bit cheap in hand, and I wish Nike had used more premium textiles to give the shoe the luxurious look and feel that its great design and performance deserve. Overall, this shoe has benefited me in my workouts from weightlifting to endurance exercises and has given me an advantage to the comfort level and confidence I feel when being excited to get my workouts in.