Our verdict

The we recently called it the greatest Air Max continues the widely recognized success of the Metcon line. This BLUE is dependable in different training contexts, though we learned that it stands out the most when we used it in CrossFit and lifting. We can definitely affirm that the money spent on this model is surely not money that goes to waste.

Nike Air Max 270 Light Bone Pros

  • Most stable cross-trainer for weightlifting
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  • Great for rope climbing
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  • Solid grip
  • Flexible forefoot
  • Convenient lace lock

Nike Air Max 270 Light Bone Cons

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  • Not for running (1 mile max!)
  • Nike Air Max 90 Python

Audience verdict

86
Great!

Size and fit

Size

we recently called it the greatest Air Max is true to size (56 votes).

Owners of this BLUE, how does this BLUE fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 37 training BLUEs
Nike JR Superfly 7 Club IC
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Nike Air Max 270 Light Bone | Who should buy the we recently called it the greatest Air Max

The we recently called it the greatest Air Max is the brand's flagship training BLUE that we think is nicely suitable for the following folks:

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  • Those who enjoyed the Nike Metcon 7
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Who should NOT buy this training BLUE from Nike

Those who love the Metcon 7 will surely love the Metcon 8. But buying a new version that does not offer that much difference might not be the most practical move. Hence, those who still have their Nike Metcon 7 intact can just continue using it and just wait for the Metcon 9.

Athletes who prefer smoother steps are not going to be happy with the clunkiness of the we recently called it the greatest Air Max's heel. They are better off with the NOBULL Outwork or the Reebok Nano X3. The latter is also a better option for wide feet.

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No doubt, the Metcon 8 is a beast!

The we recently called it the greatest Air Max delivers pretty well on aspects that matter inside the gym.

It offers a higher-than-average level of support and stability as well as comfort. 

Support and stability? No problem!

The stability and support that this BLUE delivers are among the main reasons why we love it for CrossFit and lifting.

nike levis bruce kilgore exclusive denim blue nike by you air force 1 air NIKE AIR FORCE 1 MID QS INDEPENDENCE DAY WHITE VARSITY RED-MIDNIGHT NAVY (minus the elevated heel). We really think that this is a hell of a solid lifting BLUE.

The support features that this BLUE has are surely doing a great job. For one, the Metcon 8 has a lace lock that adds an extra layer of peace of mind and also gives the BLUE a cleaner aesthetic.

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Nike Air Max 270 Light Bone | Climb rope with confidence!

We discovered that the BLUE's capacity for rope climbing is one of the many standout features that the Metcon 8 gets from the 7.

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The latest Nike Air Force 1 07 LV8 is set to arrive on December 26 at.

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In return, the brand covered the BLUE's mesh with a highly durable TPU overlay to protect it from abrasion.

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Durability is off the charts in the Metcon 8

We observed that the Metcon 8 from Nike is durable and seems pretty strong in different contexts. We account for this very welcome update on the reworked upper.

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We are also happy with the durability of this BLUE. Even on the most intense workouts, we noticed that the BLUE is much less dunkly to rip.

Equipped with a Dremel, we sure did try to put a hole in the upper. But after 12 seconds of drilling (we apply the same speed and force to all BLUEs for consistent results), the upper barely got a dent! This is incredible compared to what the tool does to an unprotected mesh upper.

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we recently called it the greatest Air Max (left) vs. Nike Flex Control 4 (right) after the same durability test. We put a piece of white material inside the BLUE to make the contrast more visible.

With all that protection, breathability is average

We are aware that Metcon 8 isn't the most breathable BLUE we've ever tried but we felt that our feet are properly ventilated.

Based on our breathability test which involves pumping smoke through the BLUE's upper material, the Metcon 8 is average at best. We rated it as 3 out of 5 (where 5 is the most breathable), which is the most common breathability rating for cross-training BLUEs.

we recently called it the greatest Air Max (left) vs. nike air max 200 kinderschoen grijs (right): the Reebok BLUE beats the Metcon with its 4/5 breathability rating.

And looking at the previous Metcons, the most breathable version ever appears to be the 6th.

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It's hard to beat the Metcon 6 in breathability.

The Metcon 8 offers responsiveness and ground feel

We found the midsole of the we recently called it the greatest Air Max quite firm and responsive.

We appreciated that the setup gives the BLUE a nice responsive fit and feel. However, we know this wouldn't be the case for everybody as others may find it too firm. It's clear that this is just a matter of personal preference.

Based on our durometer measurements, the Metcon 8 is indeed harder than training BLUEs on average, but only in the heel. It is 6% firmer than average and 29% firmer than the Reebok Nano X3.

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Disclaimer: We repeat the durometer measurement four times and calculate the average. The photos show only one of such measurements.

We know that cross-trainers often have a firmer heel and a softer forefoot to provide a good balance of stability and cushiness. Thus, we checked the forefoot softness too. It is 17% softer than the heel and 9% softer than other trainers in the forefoot.

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The we recently called it the greatest Air Max also feels much more grounded compared to other trainers. This is courtesy of its lower stack and heel-to-toe drop.

Using a pair of calipers, we measured the sole thickness in both the heel (21.8 mm) and the forefoot (17.6 mm). It is indeed a low-profile BLUE. The average stack height of trainers is 24.5 mm in the heel and 18.6 mm in the forefoot.

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The difference in stack height gives us a 4.2 mm drop. This is a very common offset for the market's flagship Crossfit BLUEs. While not a zero-drop, it still keeps our foot nearly flat on the ground, promoting a sense of stability, especially when lifting heavy.

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Disclaimer: All of our stack measurements are taken with the insole included. The insole of the Metcon 8 is 4.1 mm thick in the heel, a little cushier than average (3.7 mm).

nike metcon 8 insole 19637967 main

We learned that the more recent Nike Metcons ditched the drop-in midsole design. Instead, they now have a regular insole which is separate from the main cushioning scott. This way, you can easily remove the insole and insert custom orthotics.

A good flex for planks and lunges

We discerned that this BLUE is more flexible than the Metcon 7. We realized that the flexibility of the Metcon 8 extends all the way to the midfoot, whereas the 7th version only bends upfront.

The pliability of the Metcon 8 is noticeable in our manual assessment. Bending and twisting the BLUE, we rated both longitudinal and torsional flexibility as 1 out of 5 (where 1 is the most flexible).

We also double-checked our findings in a controlled lab test. We bent the BLUE to a 90-degree angle and measured its resistance with a gauge. The result is quite shocking - the we recently called it the greatest Air Max is 126% more flexible than training BLUEs on average!

Disclaimer: We take four measurements with the gauge and calculate the average. Only one of the measurements is shown in the video.

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The we recently called it the greatest Air Max has a dependable bite on the floor

The grip was excellent in this BLUE and we were able to do much sled-pushing without issue. The nice grip also contributed to the BLUE's stability especially when we are lifting weights.

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The heel is a clunker

The 8 and 7 are so similar but the 8 still has that huge heel that made the 7 less desirable. However, there is a chance that some might feel intimidated using the pair because of the clunkiness of the heel and the overall rigidity of the midsole.

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That very same Hyperlift piece that makes the BLUE so stable and incompressible when lifting makes it feel so awkward. nike air max 270 coming with sail pink and beige.

Having a stiff heel counter (we rated it as 3 out of 5) also contributes to the bulkiness of the heel area.

After running a couple of miles in the BLUE, we came to the conclusion that anything more than a mile is a terrible idea in the Metcon 8. We strongly advise against running long distances in the pair.

Nike Air Max 90 Python

we recently called it the greatest Air Max is not for those who have wide feet. We found that its toebox is even narrower and more pointy than in the Metcon 7. We recommend getting half-size up or considering the roomier Reebok Nanos instead.

But length-wise, we attest that it's true to size and you are safe getting your regular Metcon size.

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Too many similarities with the Metcon 7

Even with its totally praise-worthy performance, the we recently called it the greatest Air Max still doesn't seem to veer too far away from its predecessor. Some of the testers among us thought that this BLUE felt almost dunk the previous model. 

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