CrossFitters like to customize the way they look.

I remember the first CrossFit competition I did and I couldn't believe people were changing entire outfits (I'm talking shoes, shirts, shorts, everything) for each workout.

Training in my garage, I don't always get to see what people are like in CrossFit boxes so it's always funny to see the little quirks that run through the community.

This being said, the CrossFit community, as well as myself, is going to love the looks of the Nano 6.0. AND, not only will they love it, but so will the general trainee who doesn't do CrossFit and doesn't particularly want the words CROSSFIT splashed across the foot.

There are quite a few changes not only to the looks but also the overall construction of the shoe that I will list in detail a little later in the review. But there are a few specific things that stick out at first about the looks that I really like.

1. Less Branding

I love CrossFit and I love the CrossFit Games. But, I absolutely HATE branding. I've talked about it in my articles, but I don't want to be a walking billboard for a company when I'm the one that paid for the product.

Reebok first started using their Delta logo a few years ago specifically for the CrossFit line of shoes and apparel.

Over time, due to I suppose perceived demand, the delta logo has transitioned to be Reeboks main logo for all of their lines.

I'm a big fan of the delta logo and love the fact that Reebok or CF74 or 05 isn't plastered all over the shoe like it was in the past.

In fact the only place there's really any branding besides the Delta Logo on the side is on the inside of the heel where it says Reebok CrossFit rather small.

2. Kevlar Rope Protection

The inside of the shoe is the coolest looking part in my opinion.

In order to protect the shoe from abrasion from coming in contact with a climbing rope, Reebok has protected the inside of the shoe in nearly all iterations of the Nano.

The Reebok Nano 6.0 takes it one step further however and uses kevlar in a very cool looking delta pattern similar to their logo that stands out really well without being overly flashy. Not only does it look cool, it also grips the rope better than any previous Nanos. Too bad pretty much every rope climb that is programmed now is legless...

3. Gum Sole Options

Although the initial release of the Nano 6.0's doesn't include any of the gum sole variations, many different ones have been shown with the beautiful gum sole.

A gum sole is merely an appearance preference, but I think they look absolutely NASTY! (in a good way)

As previously stated, the Nano 6.0 is supposed to perform like the 5.0.

I have the 5.0, granted not the traditional version but rather the mid, and I think they're a great performing shoe. I'm not a huge fan of the way they look with all of the branding or how the toe box is always rumpled, but as far as pure performance goes, they were the best Nano to date.

The Reebok CrossFit Nano 6.0 is very similar in performance.

In fact, the outsole is pretty much the same, if not the EXACT same. In the photo below, you can see the Nano 6.0 (bottom) is the exact same as the Nano 5.0 (top)

Now, although the outsole may be the same, just about everything else is different.

The shoe fits the foot much better as they've taken measures to make it more anatomical and natural. This translates well into running and feels very comfortable, almost better than the Nano 4.0's, my personal favorite shoe for training.

The shoe features the same 4 mm drop and is well enough cushioned for long distance, but doesn't have so much that your lifts are affected.

I found in squatting, deadlifting, and doing thrusters that the outsole performs admirably and has the solid platform that I loved so much about the Nano 4.0's.

One change I'm really glad Reebok made on the 6.0 was the tongue.

Rather than being attached to the sole like it is in the 5.0, the 6.0's tongue is free to move and is thicker, much more similar to the 4.0.

The sizing and width fit the same as the 5.0 and the 4.0. I have worn a size 10 US in all of them and they all fit very similar. The width of the toe box on the 6.0 allows for a good amount of toe splay, although I do wish the shoe was thinner, simply because I have a thin foot. (Adipowers for the win!)

One other thing I noticed about the Nano 6.0's was there hasn't really been a need to break them in.

Most shoes take me about a month for them to start feeling like they're mine, but these feel pretty great right out of the box. A big plus.

Differences in the Reebok CrossFit Nano 6.0

So, I've discussed a lot of the differences/changes in the Nano 6.o vs. previous generations, but here are all of them listed:

• Updated Kevlar that is smoother and softer than in the past
• Fit is different from the 5.0
• Tongue is thicker, similar to the 4.0
• No break-in period
• VAMP/Toe box is updated. No longer baggy like the 5.0
• The part around the laces is asymmetrical.
• RopePro has a heavy texture to it that grabs the rope better.
• Fewer graphics

I chose last year to not really even review the 5.0's and the main reason was I simply wasn't much of a fan.

That being said, the Reebok Nano 6.0 is the best training shoe I've used. I like it more than my previous Nano's and I prefer it to my Nike Metcon's. I do like the looks of the Metcon's better and plan to do a comparison article, but there's just something about the Nano's that I like better for training (looks mean nothing to a loaded barbell.)

If you're in the market for a new shoe for CrossFit-style training, I would definitely recommend giving the new Nano 6.0's a shot if you like the way they look. If not, go with the Nike Metcon 2's.