The Reebok HIIT 2 sizing and fit are interesting especially when you compare them to the Reebok HIIT TR. For the Reebok HIIT 2, I think most will be safe going true-to-size, however, this is a training shoe that does run a tad long. We can't help but feel super fast while wearing the Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2, especially when doing exercises like jumps and sprints. Its responsive midsole, particularly the Zoom Air unit in the forefoot, adds a nice pop of energy to push us even farther. That midsole foam, which we measured to be 17% softer than the average training shoe, also offers excellent cushioning that keeps our feet well-protected during those speed-oriented exercises. The Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2 is our shoe of choice for cranking up the speed on our HIIT workouts, as its responsive and cushioned midsole, phenomenal flexibility and unbeatable breathability help us push the pace while performing our exercises.

An all-round gym shoe is a great option if you only want one pair and never know what your workouts might look like – but, if you're really serious about a specific type of training, you may want to invest in something a bit more focused. That being said, I think if you normally find that you have ample room in the toe box of your true-to-size shoes, then you’ll definitely want to size down a half size for the Reebok HIIT 2. Personally, I like this for HIIT training because we don’t always want a super plush shoe for this style of training especially when doing plyometrics and other bounding activities. Whether you’re doing lateral jumps, box jumps, or ballistic movements, this model’s midsole provides enough support without losing its stability edge. The Dropset Trainer is a tremendously stable shoe that keeps our feet well-supported over the course of our HIIT workouts, whether we're doing burpees jump squats, or mountain climbers. That's mainly due to its impressively wide platform, particularly in the forefoot. We measured its midsole width in the forefoot to be 5.7 mm wider than the average training shoe. And thanks to its TPU sidewalls, it also scored a 4 out of 5 in torsional stability, where 5 is the stiffest.When these findings were published, trainers all over the world began to take notice. Over the last decade, there has been an explosion of interest in HIIT workout training. The promise of a more efficient and effective way to meet one’s fitness goals is very attractive. On a day-to-day basis, this shoe is okay and will work well as a daily wear shoe. For example, if you’re someone looking for a model to wear out and about and to the gym whenever you feel like training, then I think this model will work. I would recommend being conscious of its long-term durability especially when weathering out the outdoor elements. The first con is just the overall durability of this shoe. The upper isn’t constructed with as heavy stitching and material as other cross-training shoes, so long-term durability may be an issue with this model. However, I think for the price point, the construction is okay and works as a whole and for many, this likely won’t be the hugest issue as I haven’t run into durability issues yet.

The second major difference is each shoe’s midsole and the materials used in them. The HIIT 2 features Floatride Energy Foam and the HIIT TR has a medium-density foam. The Floatride Energy Foam in the HIIT 2 provides a nicer blend of stability and versatility compared to the HIIT TR’s midsole construction. In the lab, we learned that the Free Metcon 5 has a heel-to-toe drop of 6.4 mm. This figure is well within the 4 mm to 8 mm range, which covers all measurements that we deem most suitable for HIIT and other workout regimens that rely on the intensity and versatility of exercises. The Primus Lite III is a minimalist shoe designed to offer as much freedom as possible when it comes to moving around, whilst still ensuring the foot the grip and protection you would get from a conventional shoe, just in a lean 4mm sole. The wide shape also allows your feet to move freely within the shoe without restricting movement, whilst the thin sole means that your feet can feel the ground. When you’re doing a HIIT workout, you do not want as much heel-to-toe drop as a weightlifting, or even a running, shoe. The forward angle will instantly detract from your stability. To ensure that your weight remains centered and your foot stable, look for a shoe with a heel-to-toe drop of around 4-6 mm (but no more than 8 mm).

The HIIT workout plan turned on an ‘afterburn effect’, which increased athletes’ post-training metabolism. This allowed them to burn more calories for the next 24 hours. The outsole on this model also provides a nice level of traction which I was a fan of. The Reebok HIIT TR’s outsole did a good job at providing you with traction, but the refined and reworked rubber tread on the Reebok HIIT 2 takes the edge slightly here. I never felt like I was losing traction on wood floors, rubber gym mats, or when training outdoors. Reebok HIIT 2 for Running and Daily Wear The Floatride Energy Foam does a better job at supporting a wide range of activities while also keeping the shoe comfortable. Plus, it feels like a higher quality material compared to the previous midsole materials used in the Reebok HIIT TR shoe line. This model works best for HIIT, classes, and light recreational lifting. And perhaps the best thing about performing HIIT workouts in this shoe is that our feet barely get warm even after extended sessions. Its breathability is so good that we scored it a perfect 5 out of 5 in our lab test, as the smoke we pumped into it passed right through the upper with no trouble at all. The HIIT 2’s bootie construction does not stretch which I discussed in the cons sections above. You can even see the difference in material features in the image below. The right model, the HIIT 2’s bootie feature virtually no elastic components.