The Nike MC trainer is definitely grippy. This shoe gives you a great solid foundation to really get a good lift in. Whether it is squats, or deadlifts, or even box jumps, the MC Trainer will meet your needs without leaving you feeling like you need to add something else to your arsenal. Since we all have different weekly training breakdowns and biases, it can be useful to cross-reference how different shoes will perform in different settings and align with your training needs.

I noticed that the tongue on this model moved during a few of my training sessions that had more lateral movement programmed, and I noticed it was tough at times to get the tongue to lay flush when putting these shoes on.Another thing to note about the MC Trainer 2’s sizing is that it has a low-profile boot and low upper volume. If you have custom orthotics or inserts, you may want to pass on this model due to the low-profile nature of this shoe. This shoe’s midsole provides a nice level of stability and when working with trap bar deadlifts over 425 lbs, I didn’t notice any glaring compression issues with this shoe. I also liked the level of tread the outsole provided on different surfaces.

The third and final difference to note is each shoe’s flexibility. The MC Trainer 2 feels less “stiff” through the midfoot and toe box compared to the MC Trainer. In my opinion, this is a big pro for training with the MC Trainer 2.I think this model will be a good fit for those that love firmer midsole shoes for versatile training and have narrower foot widths. Note, they don’t have a ton of cushion to them, so if you like more cushioned HIIT and class shoes, you may want to explore something like the Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3. While I like the Nike MC Trainer 2 and think it’s better than the original model, there are a few cons to note about this shoe before investing in them.

The final aspect that I like with the Nike MC Trainer 2 is that it feels more flexible than the original MC Trainer. One of my complaints with the first model was how stiff the midfoot and heel could feel at times. Second, the increased mobility in this shoe is awesome for explosive and multi-directional training. For HIIT workouts and athletic-style training, I thought the Nike MC Trainer 2 did a pretty good job.For wide and flat feet, I think you’ll also want to pass on this shoe. Since they have a low-profile construction, I think sizing up could be problematic and lead to heel slip issues.

The model was designed with a wide sole to provide you with sufficient support for classic strength exercises such as squats and deadlifts. Additional stability and a longer service life provide overlays in the area of ​​the toes and the lacing. A cushioning midsole has been incorporated to provide the necessary dynamics for explosive exercises such as sprints or burpees. The cushioning foam it contains absorbs the resulting pressure and enables training that is easy on the joints. The high responsiveness of the sole improves your agility. Lateral Support and Varied Grip If you’re considering the Nike MC Trainer versus the Nike MC Trainer 2, it’s a good idea to understand some of their key differences. There are three major construction differences that are worth noting about these models. But if you have wide feet, this is probably not your best bet. It could even seem a little tight if you have a mid-range foot.Another thing to like about this model for lifting is that I feel as though it articulates a little better than the previous MC Trainer and other budget-friendly training shoes. When doing sled work and lunges, this shoe’s toe box offered a fair amount of flexibility. For versatile training, I enjoyed the performance of the Nike MC Trainer 2 and think it has an edge over the original model in this context, and that’s for two reasons. are looking for something to regularly run in (the Nike Free Metcon 3 is a good cross-training shoe for running) It can be an okay budget model for hybrid workouts that have short runs programmed. This shoe’s firmer ride can get pretty uncomfortable for longer runs, so I’d suggest exploring models that are more running-friendly if you need a shoe for this ask. The MC Trainer 2’s heel feels more forgiving for running and jumping and the base of the forefoot seems to articulate a lot easier in this model, and this model broke in a lot easier than the MC Trainer.