Note, I said “think” because both of these shoes are still new to the market and we need more data points on them to know where their shortcomings are. However, based on my session thus far, these shoes have held up well.

This has been a nice sizing change because it should make the Metcon 9 more comfortable for a wider range of foot anatomies. For example, if you’re doing jump rope, box jumps, and skater strides, then the Metcon 9 will work just fine and the midsole will be accommodating for these exercises. Your experience with Men’s Footwear: You’ll no doubt have some history with buying Men’s Footwear, and you may have even bought products from the same brand, Adidas, use this information to your advantage. You’ll probably have a good idea of how good the quality of the product was and any faults or floors you remember from it. In both of these shoes, I’ve deadlifted over 500 lbs, hit heavy leg press and machine work, and have done heavy unilateral leg work without glaring stability issues. This model has been my go-to for WODs that include more jump rope and box jumps due to this model’s athletic fit and feel. Similar to the Metcon 9, the Dropset Trainer 2 won’t be the best cross-training shoe for running but it is a little better than the Metcon 9.

Sleeves: The sleeves of the blazer should be long enough to cover the wrists when your arms are at your sides. The cuff of the sleeve should be able to reveal about half an inch of shirt cuff. The Nike Metcon 9’s toe box has been widened compared to its predecessors and there’s also more upper volume in this shoe compared to shoes like the Metcon 7 and 8. The Adidas Dropset Trainer 2 has performed well for most WODs and its lightweight construction gives it a nice edge for breathability and feeling light on the feet. Another thing to like about the Metcon 9 and Dropset Trainer 2 for lifting is that both shoes have a slightly wider toe box. This has been a really nice change to see implemented by both companies regarding stability.

When it comes to value for the money, I think the Adidas Dropset Trainer 2 has more value. This model has a greater performance range and its updates feel more like “upgrades” compared to the Metcon 9’s tweaks. Price: It probably sounds obvious, but there are links to the price you pay and the quality of a product. Try and set your expectations for the quality based on your budget. You wouldn’t expect a Rolls-Royce for the price of a Fiesta so bear this in mind when shopping.The weight varies fairly significantly between the Metcon 9 and Dropset Trainer 2 and the heel-to-toe drops are also different in these shoes.

My only concern with the Nike Metcon 9 is its midsole and outsole breaking down at the aggressive break at the forefoot. Outsole lipping was an issue some ran into with the Metcon 7 and 8 so I’m keeping an eye on this area. The Solar line up while intended to be more run oriented over fashion based, there are some questionable aspects of the upper in the Solar Ride.Performance cycling shoes come with"clipless" systems to attach directly to the pedal. This makes a difference in how efficiently you can work your bike’s pedals and boosts your speed. Our road cycling shoes adapt to three-bolt pedal systems and feature elastic lace loops to keep ties safely secured. Other cycling disciplines use 2-bolt SPD cleats or flat soles, so be sure to choose cycling shoes that suit your bike’s pedals. HIGH PERFORMANCE CYCLING SHOES In the context of versatile training and workouts that include plyometrics, HIIT, and class-style exercises, the Adidas Dropset Trainer 2 is going to take the edge here for me.

The Nike Metcon 9 has done a good job, but I’m actually not the biggest fan of this shoe for heavy single-leg training. I find that there’s a little more roll in the forefoot of this shoe regarding medial stability and I’m curious if others will experience this. In addition, the Dropset Trainer 2 has a bit more arch to it and it gives you a little more medial stability which I personally like for heavier unilateral training. If you need a bit of arch then you’ll want to factor this into your choice. In the Adidas Dropset Trainer 2, you have a mesh and textile upper that is lighter in weight throughout with rubber overlays over the medial and lateral heel. This model’s heel is built with a padded mesh and the upper feels lighter and “smoother” in this model compared to the Metcon 9. Laces and Tongue

Takeaway Thoughts

In the Dropset Trainer 2, the dual-density midsole is split between the forefoot and heel. This gives the forefoot a more responsive and flexible feel whereas the heel feels more dense and stable. Outsole The Nike Metcon 9’s upper is built with a mesh material and there is a rubbery haptic overlay over the medial toe box. The boot features a padded mesh and there are rope guards that wrap over the medial and lateral mid-foot.