At my local gym Tuesday morning, three different guys asked me about my Nike Reax 8 TR Mesh trainers. Mike here, and after burning through four pairs of disappointing training shoes in six months, I was desperate for something reliable. That’s why I spent 8 weeks putting these through every gym scenario I could imagine. Here’s the unfiltered truth about whether Nike delivers on their promises.
Technical Specifications
- 💰 Price: $80-90
- ⚖️ Weight: 12.3 oz (men’s size 10)
- 🧪 Midsole material: Nike Reax cushioning columns
- 👟 Upper material: Leather and mesh combination
- 🔒 Closure: Traditional lace-up system
- 🏋️♂️ Category: Cross-training/Gym fitness
- 🎯 Best for: Weight training, gym workouts, casual fitness
- ⏱️ Testing period: 8 weeks, 45 total gym sessions, 85 hours of wear
Design, Build Quality & Real-World Performance
The Nike Reax 8 TR Mesh hits you immediately with that classic Nike training shoe aesthetic. The black colorway I tested features a leather and mesh upper combination that looks solid from across the gym floor. The signature Reax cushioning columns in the heel are impossible to miss – they’re the defining visual element that makes these instantly recognizable.
First impressions during my initial workout were promising. The leather portions feel substantial, not cheap or plasticky like some budget trainers I’ve suffered through. The mesh sections provide obvious ventilation points, though I discovered their effectiveness varies significantly during different types of workouts.
Fit, Lockdown & Comfort Analysis
Out of the box, these fit true to size for my usual 10.5. The toe box offers decent room without being sloppy, and the midfoot lockdown through the lacing system feels secure during lateral movements. I noticed the shoe runs slightly narrow through the midfoot, which might be an issue for guys with wider feet.
The immediate comfort impressed me. That first 45-minute gym session felt supportive and cushioned. The Reax columns in the heel provided noticeable impact absorption during box jumps and plyometric movements. However, I started noticing some concerning patterns after the third week of regular use.
Gym Performance & Cushioning Experience
During weight training sessions, the Reax cushioning system delivers exactly what Nike promises for heel impact. Deadlifts, squats, and overhead presses felt stable and supported. The heel-to-toe transition during walking movements between exercises was smooth and natural.
Where these shoes excel is in their versatility across different gym activities. I tested them through everything from heavy leg days to cardio circuits, and the cushioning adapted well to various impact levels. The lateral stability during lateral lunges and side-to-side movements felt confident and planted.
However, after about 20 hours of use, I encountered the issue that dominated my entire experience with these trainers.
The Squeaking Problem – A Deal Breaker
Let me be straight with you – these shoes develop an incredibly annoying squeaking sound that makes them nearly unwearable in quiet environments. It started around week 3 of regular use and only got worse from there.
The squeaking appears to come from the Reax cushioning columns themselves. Every step produces an audible squeak that echoes in quiet spaces like empty gym areas, offices, or anywhere with hard flooring. I tried several fixes recommended by other users, including WD-40 application to the heel columns, but the relief was only temporary.
This isn’t an isolated issue with my pair. Based on extensive research and feedback from other users, this appears to be a widespread manufacturing problem with this particular model. Multiple reviewers reported the same squeaking issue developing after 2-4 weeks of use.
Performance in Various Training Conditions
Despite the squeaking issue, I continued testing these through various gym scenarios to provide a complete assessment:
Weight Training: Excellent stability during heavy lifts. The heel cushioning provides solid ground contact during squats and deadlifts. No slipping or instability during lateral movements.
Cardio Workouts: Adequate for treadmill work and stationary bike use. The cushioning handles repetitive impact reasonably well, though the squeaking becomes more pronounced during faster movements.
HIIT Training: Good lateral support during burpees, mountain climbers, and jumping movements. The shoe locks down well during quick direction changes.
Does Nike Deliver on Their Promises?
Nike markets the Reax 8 TR as offering “responsive cushioning” and “durable construction” for training activities. Let me break down how reality matches the marketing:
Responsive Cushioning – PARTIALLY TRUE: The Reax columns do provide noticeable heel cushioning and impact absorption. For the first few weeks, this system works exactly as advertised. The problem is longevity and the unintended squeaking side effect.
Durable Construction – MIXED RESULTS: The leather and mesh upper construction feels solid and shows minimal wear after 8 weeks of regular use. However, the cushioning system’s squeaking issue suggests internal component problems that affect long-term usability.
Versatile Training Performance – TRUE: These shoes do handle various gym activities well. From weight training to cardio, they provide adequate support and stability across different movement patterns.
My Overall Assessment
Detailed Scoring
Comfort (First 3 weeks): 8.5/10 – Excellent initial comfort and cushioning
Comfort (After squeaking develops): 4.0/10 – Becomes embarrassing to wear
Performance: 7.5/10 – Solid gym performance across various activities
Durability: 5.0/10 – Upper materials good, cushioning system problematic
Value: 3.0/10 – Squeaking issue makes them poor value regardless of price
Style: 7.0/10 – Classic Nike training shoe aesthetic that looks good
Overall Rating: 5.2/10
What Other Gym-Goers Are Saying
The feedback pattern is remarkably consistent across multiple platforms:
Positive themes: Comfortable initial wear, good gym performance, attractive styling, true-to-size fitting, solid weight training stability.
Negative themes: Universal squeaking complaints after 2-4 weeks, some quality control issues with glue visibility, occasional sizing inconsistencies, mesh durability concerns.
Several Spanish-speaking reviewers noted similar experiences, with one mentioning “squeaking with every step” and another recommending ordering a half-size larger for toe comfort.
Value Assessment
At $80-90, these shoes enter a competitive market segment with strong alternatives. The squeaking issue fundamentally undermines their value proposition. Even if you love everything else about them, the noise factor makes them impractical for many environments where training shoes are commonly worn.
Final Verdict
The Good and The Bad
What Works:
– Excellent initial comfort and cushioning
– Solid performance across various gym activities
– Attractive, classic Nike training shoe design
– Good lateral stability for weight training
– True-to-size fitting for most users
What Doesn’t:
– Universal squeaking problem after 2-4 weeks of use
– Noise makes them impractical for quiet environments
– Quality control issues with some units
– Narrow fit may not suit wider feet
– Poor long-term value due to squeaking issue
Who Should Buy the Nike Reax 8 TR Mesh?
Good fit if you:
– Only plan to use them in noisy gym environments
– Don’t mind squeaking sounds during workouts
– Want a classic Nike training shoe aesthetic
– Need solid lateral stability for weight training
Skip these if you:
– Work out in quiet environments
– Value long-term durability and reliability
– Need shoes for office or professional settings
– Want maximum value for your training shoe investment
Better Options for Specific Needs
For Reliable Training: Nike Metcon series offers better durability without squeaking issues
For Comfort Focus: Adidas Ultraboost 22 provides superior cushioning longevity
For Budget Training: New Balance 608v5 offers similar versatility at lower cost
For Cross-Training: Reebok Nano X2 provides comparable performance with better build quality
Final Recommendation
I cannot recommend the Nike Reax 8 TR Mesh despite their positive initial performance. The squeaking issue is too widespread and fundamental to overlook. While they offer solid gym performance for the first few weeks, the inevitable noise problem makes them impractical for most users.
If you’re considering these shoes, invest your money in a more reliable alternative that won’t develop embarrassing noise issues after minimal use.
🛒 Need a reliable training shoe instead?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do all Nike Reax 8 TR shoes develop the squeaking problem?
A: Based on extensive user feedback, the squeaking issue appears to affect the vast majority of pairs after 2-4 weeks of regular use. This seems to be a design flaw rather than isolated quality control issues.
Q: Can the squeaking be permanently fixed?
A: Some users report temporary success with WD-40 application to the heel columns, but the squeaking typically returns within days. There’s no reliable permanent fix for this issue.
Q: How do these fit compared to other Nike training shoes?
A: They run true to size lengthwise but slightly narrow through the midfoot. If you have wider feet, consider going up a half size or looking at other Nike models with roomier cuts.
Q: Are these good for running?
A: These are designed for cross-training and gym work, not running. The Reax cushioning system and higher weight make them less suitable for running compared to dedicated running shoes.
Q: How long do they typically last before squeaking starts?
A: Most users report squeaking beginning between 2-4 weeks of regular use, regardless of activity intensity or frequency.
Q: Should I buy these if I only work out in noisy gyms?
A: Even in noisy environments, the squeaking can be noticeable and distracting. Given the availability of better alternatives at similar price points, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.
Review Scoring Summary
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Comfort | 8.5 | Excellent first 3 weeks |
| Long-term Comfort | 4.0 | Squeaking makes them unwearable |
| Performance | 7.5 | Good across gym activities |
| Durability | 5.0 | Upper good, cushioning problematic |
| Value | 3.0 | Poor due to squeaking issue |
| Style | 7.0 | Classic Nike training aesthetic |
| OVERALL SCORE | 5.2 | Cannot recommend due to squeaking |