Earlier this week we wrote about the magical Reebok Nano CrossFit shoe and its history. Back with the second part of this four (or five) part series on CrossFit shoes, this time we’re exploring the history of the Nike Metcon.
Reebok’s first-to-market status (2011) and partnership with the CrossFit organization set Nike up as a dark horse in the race for dominance of the budding sport of fitness shoe market.
Not releasing their first official CrossFit-intended shoe until 2015, the Nike Metcon was named as an ode to the metabolic conditioning workouts brought to fame by the sport’s workouts of the day (WODs). Reebok and CrossFit quickly responded by banning the shoe or any non-Reebok gear from being word by athletes in the CrossFit Games.
This ignited the marketing genius of Nike, who released an Air Jordan 1-inspired red and black shoe with an ad campaign challenging Reebok and CrossFit: “Don’t ban our shoe. Beat our shoe.” This callback to the Air Jordan reflected on a time when the shoe was banned from the NBA but overcame the ban to eventually become a pre-eminent shoe for basketball.
Even with the ban from official CrossFit events, Nike has garnered quite the roster of sponsored athletes, including three-time champion Mat Fraser, and beloved athletes Sara Sigmundsdottir, Josh Bridges, Lauren Fisher, and Jacob Heppner.
Nike Metcon 1 CrossFit Shoe
Weight: 11.2oz
Nike released their first Metcon to combat the growth of Reebok as the sole (pun intended) provider of footwear for CrossFit athletes and fans. Natural motion flex grooves added flexibility to the ride of the shoe, along with textured grooves in the center of the shoe for aid in rope climbing activities.
Where to Purchase: Amazon
Nike Metcon 2 CrossFit Shoe
Weight: 12.7oz
Where to Purchase: Amazon
Nike Metcon 3 CrossFit Shoe
Weight: 10.3oz
Where to Purchase: Amazon
Nike Metcon 4 CrossFit Shoe
Weight: 10.6oz
Where to Purchase: Amazon
Nike Metcon 5 CrossFit Shoe
See our guide to the Nike Metcon 5 release date and details here.
Weight: TBD
Where to Purchase: Not Yet Available
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