With the release of Reebok’s Nano Gym 2.0, a lightweight shoe designed for a variety of sorting activities, we asked the brand’s Director of Training Footwear, Tal Short, how Reebok can construct such low-mass sneakers, yet still offering support for our sweat on.
How Reebok Made the Nano Gym 2.0 20% Lighter
At 10.6 ounces (approximately 300g), Reebok’s second-generation gym shoe is around 20% lighter than the original, but as a “do-it-all” sneaker, how has the company maintained a tight training experience while offering float-like comfort? “We worked on streamlining the design and removing any bulk or unnecessary materials that weren’t crucial to the performance of the shoe,” explains Short, who says that stability remains key. “The upper, specifically, was redeveloped to feature a locked-in fit with lightweight yet durable breathability zones, while the midsole remains highly responsive and stable with spring-loaded foam. The gym specific flex groove outsole offers added grip and stability where it’s needed most,” he adds.
What Is FLOATPULSE Foam and How Does It Improve Performance?
For the uninitiated, Reebok’s Gym offering is designed as a gym-based shoe, or as hybrid footwear for busy people who find themselves switching environments in a timely fashion. To that end, the Reebok Gym 2.0 was intended to build on the original’s level of comfort, while adding the convenience of less weight for extra portability. As Short stated, an engineered mesh upper has been made even more lightweight, yet durable, thanks to carefully positioned breathability zones. But there’s another aspect of the Gym 2.0 that gives as much as it gets. “I’m most excited about the FLOATPULSE Foam in the midsole,” reveals Short. “It’s an ultra-responsive foam that creates high-rebound energy return, so it supports explosive movements in the gym and can take an athletes training routine to the next level.”
Why the Nano Gym 2.0 Is Built for HIIT, HYROX, and Functional Fitness
The fitness sneaker is a growing product line among the major footwear brands and Reebok’s Nano iterations have long been hailed for the innovative strides made in this area. Specifically, the Gym 2.0 is light and stable, but is also able to offer flexibility thanks to that cleverly designed flex groove outsole, designed with a myriad of exercise movements in mind. The flex groove offers a rubber grip, and strategically placed channels to provide more flexibility when turning, jumping, or squatting.
“The Nano Gym 2.0 offers the ultimate versatility,” concludes Short. “Whether you need a reliable option for your regular gym routine, for trying out a new fitness class, or maybe dipping your toes into HYROX, you can confidentially do it all.”
The Reebok Nano Gym 2.0 will be released on July 16, 2026, via Reebok.com with an MSRP of $100, and will be available in a variety of unisex colorways, with additional styles dropping throughout the summer.