Nike MC Trainer 2 Performance Review

The Nike MC Trainer 2 is another budget Nike cross training shoe that aims to give gym-goers and stay-at-home athletes alike an affordable option. While it is more affordable, some critical strengths and weaknesses will significantly determine your choice to purchase these. It’s not oddly specific, but there are deal breakers and makers for others. Don’t compare these to the Nike Metcon 8 or Under Armour HOVR Rise 4. You won’t be doing it any favors.

Pros

Flexible Outsole

The outsole is full rubber with triangles and lines as its traction pattern. From the forefoot to the midfoot are flex zones. They’re cored-out sections that ensure those areas are not stiff, and you can flex your feet as naturally as possible. I found this especially helpful during lunges. The Phylon midsole isn’t too fluffy, so the midsole doesn’t over-compress and cause instability. The grooves are thick, and the rubber compound is tough, so these should last you a good while, too.

Free Tongue

The tongue is made of a breathable mesh that is only connected at the end. This allows you to easily manipulate it and get the right fit. Entry and exit are easy and don’t take too much effort. If you feel like the tongue will move around while you work out, think again. There’s a big loop where the laces go through to make sure it stays put. If you do need to tug your tongue and adjust the fit for whatever reason, it’s simple, and nothing gets in the way.

Cons

Thin Materials

The upper is full mesh with fuse overlays and an elastic band at the forefoot. The band is useless in my opinion. The mesh that Nike used here is thin and doesn’t look like it will last too long especially if you’re putting these through continued intense and strenuous exercises. The only upsides to this are weight reduction and breathability. While the materials last, they’ll be okay performance-wise. But you may find yourself replacing this shoe a bit faster than you’d prefer.

Tapered Heel

This was one of the most off-putting things about the shoe. The forefoot is nice and wide, but it gets thinner as you approach the heel. Because of its tapered nature and design, I was wobbly if I accidentally caught myself on my heels. There are no outriggers, too, so it doesn’t help its case. My advice would be to do your best to stay on your forefoot as much as possible. The heel won’t do you any good.

While we’re on the topic of the heel, there’s some pretty consistent heel slip. It didn’t interfere with most of my workouts, but I don’t like feeling any part of my feet pulling out of the shoe. So anyone who’s a stickler for lockdown will want to avoid this shoe.

Nike MC Trainer 2 Summary

The Nike MC Trainer 2 is a good budget cross training shoe that will serve most people well, especially those who don’t use their heels during workouts. If you do, don’t pick these up. You will be unstable most of the time. If your workouts require using your forefoot most of the time, which is the case for many basketball-focused exercises, then these will satisfy your needs. There are a few other things to get over, like the thin materials and the useless strap, but they’re not deal breakers for everyone. The shoe does what it’s supposed to do, and that’s enough for a thumbs up from me, considering the price range.