The Superrep 3 is a revamp of previous versions of the popular HIIT training shoe from Nike.
This slimmed down, lighter weight update gives the wearer less bulk underfoot whilst remaining cushioned. The Superrep range is one of the most interesting and feature packed shoes on the market for your gym training sessions, and also very different to most shoes out there currently.
Whereas most of the training shoe reviews and videos we do here are based on shoes for weightlifting, general strength work, and metabolic conditioning to support your running training, the Superrep 3s are designed to your fitness classes in the gym.
Think any workout that is packed with burpees, box jumps, kettlebell swings, push ups, mountain climbers and bodyweight squats. And their USP is they’re one of the one shoes out there designed solely for this.
If you have read my previous review on the first Nike Superrep, you’ll notice I loved the shoe for general gym classes, their look, and technology, but they fell short when running or weightlifting and they were narrow and rubbed to begin with.
The second version saw very few changes in design, but this third version has had quite the overhaul. Decreased foam underfoot (whilst still being MUCH more than other training shoes) has increased stability and support for multidirectional moves.
The Superrep 3 also has added reinforcements along the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, meaning the foot has extra support from this bracing along the sides when making fast directional changes. Directly underneath this big arc, two Air Zoom pockets give comfortable toe landings in a high-energy workout, and give a super springy feeling when jumping around.
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 First Impressions
picture of Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
It’s impossible to not notice immediately how plush and bouncy these shoes feel when you first put them on, they’re immediately comfortable, with no rubbing or squeakiness like I found with the first version I tested.
The second thing I noticed was how much taller I felt in these, they must add two inches to my height. The reinforced lateral sides make the foot feel secure and locked in well, without any uncomfortable spots, and the fit was true to size.
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 Sole Unit
picture of Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
The sole unit is the most interesting part of this training shoe so starting from the bottom up, the outsole is a thin rubber, stuck to a plastic plate connecting the front and back part of the shoe.
Grip isn’t great in this shoe, especially on outdoor surfaces, and is already showing some signs of wear. This should hold up well enough in a gym environment over time, but something to consider if you want a more all round shoe to wear for lots of different activities.
Also an outdoor problem I encountered was stones and general bits off the floor getting stuck in the gap between the plate and midsole. There’s also a gap in between the two Air Zoom pockets which would be a nightmare to try and get any stuck dirt out of (luckily not yet happened to me).
picture of Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
The outsole features flexgrooves, however the only one that actually flexes is the front groove underneath the toe box. The rest of the shoe is very rigid to support the arch of the foot.
Finally, the outsole is also much wider that the heel of the foot, giving the sole a melted effect, which is increasing the contact the foot has with the ground to give a little more stability.
The Air Zoom pockets in the forefoot midsole perform well when doing explosive movements such as squat jumps and burpees, and midsole foam under the heel cushions landings well.
I do still think there is an improvement that can be made to reduce this foam even further, and still deliver the same cushioning and spring, yet a little more stability and overall confidence when wearing them.
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 Upper Unit
picture of Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
The upper is a breathable mesh- so much so you can see right through in some areas on the white version I have- much more breathable and airy than previously.
The tongue is light and thin and stays put when working out.
The rubber overlays around the heel cup make the shoe easy to put on and take off- overall a fantastic design. It seems Nike has taken on board feedback and really advanced this shoe with some great improvements and design features on the upper.
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 Conclusion
picture of Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
To conclude, I really enjoyed wearing this shoe for HIIT workouts. It performs well, was comfortable and looks great.
Due to the huge amount of foam under the foot, I wouldn’t recommend these shoes for heavy weightlifting. There’s too much distance between the foot and the ground to create instability, and risk rolling an ankle when lifting weights.
For lighter weights though, and body weight movements they’re great. Looks wise, I think the improvement here has been vast, and I love the look and design of all the colorways of the Superrep 3.
It’s a specific shoe, for one function and that is high-intensity training, indoors. For something like a Barry’s Bootcamp workout, this shoe is perfect.
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 at Running Warehouse with our own money.
