Hate is a powerful phrase, so let’s simply say I strongly disliked the Beneath Armour Reign 5. When its successor arrived for evaluate I had low expectations, but come the tip of my customary two-week testing interval I didn’t need to take them off.
What occurred? Beneath Armour revamped the shoe and I believe it did an impressive job. Reasonably than try to copy the cushioning of the Reebok Nano X4 or the tech-heavy construct of the Nike Metcon 9 (among the many greatest CrossFit footwear), the model has as an alternative delivered a barefoot really feel courtesy of a skinny, versatile outsole and minimal heel-to-toe drop.
That is certain to divide opinion, with some health followers wanting extra shock-absorbing foam. Nonetheless, I discovered the up to date delivered good floor really feel and stability, which I preferred for lifting and WODs alike.
Beneath Armour Reign 6: Worth And Availability
The Beneath Armour Reign 6 was launched in late 2023 with an RRP of $130 within the US and £125 within the UK. It is accessible on the Beneath Armour web site, in addition to by means of third-party retailers. I’ve already noticed it on sale for $100 (£90).
How I Examined This CrossFit Shoe
I wore this shoe for each coaching session over a two-week interval, and it was an intense interval. There have been 10 journeys to the gymnasium and the same old combine of assorted metcons that you just’d anticipate from CrossFit coaching. I accomplished common Olympic weightlifting classes, power workouts, gymnastic drills and bodybuilding-style accent work. The shoe bought its first style of the massive three lifts, together with cleans, snatches, wall walks, handstand push-ups, rope climbs and burpees.
Design And Match
With protecting fins on the heel, an undulating raised rubber outsole and a flash of lurid inexperienced, the Reign 6 has a distinctly Alien aesthetic. Some will prefer it, others gained’t; it has grown on me, regardless of preliminary misgivings.
Inexperienced detailing apart, these options aren’t included for his or her seems to be—all of them serve a function. The raised rubber outsole wraps across the midfoot to supply lateral assist for multidirectional actions, and the rubber heel fins are useful for safeguarding the shoe from tough partitions throughout handstand push-ups.
I discovered the Reign 5 too vast for my slim toes, however the Reign 6 locked my heel in place whereas nonetheless giving my toes room to unfold for steadiness. Consequently, it was comfy from day one.
The principle change I seen was within the sole of the shoe. The outsole is skinny and all cushioning comes from a dual-density insole: thicker and firmer underneath the heel then thinner and softer underneath the ball of the foot, permitting me to really feel the bottom underneath my forefoot.
This may occasionally come as a shock when you’re used to a thicker midsole, like that of the Nano X4, or a much less versatile outsole just like the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300, however I preferred it. It helped me really feel balanced whereas lifting and capable of generate energy by means of the ground successfully.
Is The Beneath Armour Reign 6 Good For WODs?
If it’s cushioning you’re after for high-impact workouts, look elsewhere. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply this shoe is unhealthy for burpee-heavy WODs.
So long as you realize what you’re signing up for—a shoe that feels nearly like a gateway to barefoot footwear with its minimal outsole and negligible offset—then this is usually a stable performer for CrossFit exercises. The locked-in match, vast forefoot and nice floor really feel helped me hold my steadiness whereas biking a barbell. I additionally appreciated the absence of power-sapping midsole cushioning throughout explosive strikes like field jumps, and the lateral assist supplied by the raised rubber outsole for multidirectional actions, like skater jumps and shuttle runs.
The shoe didn’t grip a rope in addition to the Reebok Nano X4, which I’d examined earlier than it. It felt heavier too—436g for a US measurement 11 in contrast with 378g. However these had been my solely notable criticisms.
Is The Beneath Armour Reign 6 Good For Resistance Coaching?
The primary train I confronted within the Reign 6 was a basic: five-by-five barbell squats. The shoe’s efficiency on this despatched it skyrocketing in my estimations. The heel felt steady and the improved floor really feel allowed me to unfold my toes, distribute the load evenly by means of my toes and luxuriate in nice energy switch by means of the ground. The identical utilized for Olympic lifts, with the shoe’s pure match providing glorious steadiness and stability.
Is The Beneath Armour Reign 6 Good For Working?
As a part of my coaching I tackled 8 x 400m intervals. I’d often change right into a pair of trainers for that, however determined to go together with the Reign 6. It was a special expertise. Reasonably than feeling an opulent midsole underfoot, I felt the Tarmac and any floor I used to be working on. If that is one thing you want, nice. Nonetheless, when you’re a daily runner who enjoys the same old cushioning, I’d say stick with what you realize. I didn’t thoughts the minimalist expertise for shorter intervals, however for something above 400m I’ll persist with my trainers.
Is The Beneath Armour Reign 6 Price It?
I beloved lifting within the Reign 6. The versatile, minimalist sole and low-to-the-ground construct supplied stability and nice floor really feel and allowed me to energy by means of units of heavy leg workouts. Because of this alone, I believe the shoe is a worthy funding, notably if yow will discover it discounted.
Past this, I loved its minimalist really feel throughout WODs. This, together with good options just like the raised rubber outsole, supplied steadiness and assist throughout multidirectional actions. It’s constructed to final too, with a sturdy really feel and no indicators of wear and tear after two weeks of rigorous use.
The shoe’s efficiency whereas working is more likely to spark debate, with the restricted cushioning which means that you just’re getting little added shock absorption with every stride. The identical logic applies throughout any exercise—if it’s a mushy sole and light-weight really feel you’re after, look elsewhere. Nonetheless, if you would like a CrossFit shoe that breaks free from the gang and excels underneath a heavy barbell, give the Reign 6 a attempt.