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NIKE Free 5.0 Trainers - Gimmick or Running Shoe Breakthrough?

Posted October 4th, 2006 at 12:01 AM by Trish Monks

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes

TFS is proud to welcome our newest writer - Trish Monks. She is our first writer from our neighbor across the Atlantic. Although Brits might speak a little differently and make us laugh from time to time - we still love them and we love Trish’s writing. Enjoy!

nike free womens grey red.jpg This time last year I was coming back from a 3-month, injury induced lay-off and was thinking about changing my running shoes. I decided to try an unorthodox approach; choosing to discard my newly manufactured orthotics and to buy a pair of Nike Frees! From pronation control to minimalism in one easy step – was I bonkers?

According to Nike, “Free feet” are “just like bare feet” and the Free is:

“….a revolutionary shoe that lets your feet move naturally. A shoe that awakens the foot’s sensors. Feet become stronger, more flexible. And ultimately perform better.”

A bit much - but the claims were enticing and they got me thinking: If, by wearing these shoes, I could strengthen my feet and ankles, then maybe the cause of my injury – an over-pronating right foot - could be “cured”. However, I did have to ask myself: Was I being sucked in by the marketing hype? Was I booking myself a fast ticket to “injurydom”?

Before forking over 60 quid for a pair (especially since I already had about 5 pairs of running shoes lying around in my closet) - I needed more convincing.

The Internet is, of course, the buyer’s best friend; I found an excellent article by Larry Eder in American Track and Field. This gave a really thorough review of the shoes; citing the results of the Nike pre-launch trial and quoting Paula Radcliffe’s physical therapist Gerard Hartmann. Mr. Hartmann apparently:

“[U]ses] the shoe as part of the therapy that he uses with elite athletes to develop their locomotive skills, a therapy that includes emphasis on equal leg strength, proper foot strike and strong hip flexors.”

In fact, Paula appeared in the UK television advertisements for the Frees – which in and of it itself nearly convinced me that I needed a pair (I mean - if they are good enough for her………haha). So the Frees certainly seemed to have some big name approval, but what did ‘ordinary’ people think?

Opinions of runners who have tried the shoes, that I gleaned and reviewed from forums like those on Runner’s World, showed that the majority of people were enthusiastic and happy with their purchases even though there was still no consensus over the accuracy of Nike’s claims. The only real complaints I found were from ‘true’ barefoot running enthusiasts who thought the sole was too thick for it to be a truly “minimalistic” shoe and from a number of people who had trouble with the heel ‘pocket’ tearing in the early days of ownership.

Still, the feedback was primarily positive - and that was good enough for me - the time had come to buy some and try them for myself! When I first got them I admit I was a bit disappointed.

Yes - they were completely different from the trainers I used to wear (New Balance 764’s); lower to the ground and about half the weight. However, they also weren’t quite the ‘barefoot experience’ I felt I had been promised.

The leaflet that came with the Frees recommended that I begin wearing them around the house and then slowly begin to run in them for increasing amounts of time. Since I was merely doing short sessions at the time, trying to regain my fitness, I went almost straight to running in only my Frees - and to be honest - I have never looked back.

Apart from when I go on trails and wear my off-road shoes (my also incredible Inov8 Flyrocs), I exclusively run in my Nike Free 5.0 Trainers. I have worn them during a half-marathon, use them for all of my training and even now own a Trail pair. Having already worn out my first and now almost my second pair of the Trainers, I just ordered a self-designed (NikeID) pair in black and orange with my name embroidered on the side (I can’t wait to get them!).

They are incredibly comfortable and have, without a doubt, changed the way that I run. I have stayed injury free for over a year and am running faster than ever. In addition, I believe that my feet and ankles are also stronger than they were before my injury. I can’t believe I ever ran in ‘ordinary’ trainers - they are like bricks in comparison to my Frees.

Did I mention that I love them?

As with all things though, they are probably not for everyone, and care does need to be taken when starting with something so different. If you do decide to try them, be aware that it is common to experience new aches and pains to begin with. However, if you add a pair of Nike Free trainers to your shoe locker and build up gradually (as Nike recommends), I believe that you will discover that all the “hype” is quite substantiated. It’ll only be a matter of time before you find yourself falling in love with your Nike Free trainers - I know I did!

Source: Personal experience and [American Track and Field].

Picture from: [RunningWarehouse]

clearout.info » My Recent Vacation… said:

[…] Before leaving for Houston, we all wanted to check out the outlet centers in San Marcos. There were 2 outlet centers in San Marcos, and both were about 3 acres each, and right next to each other. I had opted to leave early, so I only got to see the Nike store before I left, and even there, the shoes I wanted were $10 more than I could afford spending on them. […]
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Bo said:

This is 100% true. I had plantar and bad knees. Been running in Nike Free for a year. 10K in rugged mountains. Not I’m injury free, but I have a pity to all these runners I see on the streets slumming their heels into the pavement. This shoe changed my life, no questions
August 26th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Ace said:

I weigh about 185 and am now on my second pair of Frees. I started with 5.0 and now have the new 3.0.
Come to think of it, I have been injury “free” since I started running in them. I bought several pairs to give to my friends and everyone thinks they are wonderful.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
David H said:

I adore these shoes. Started with 3.0s and fell so instantly in love, I bought (2) additional pair of the same model when I saw them on sale. Trying the 5.0 next as my PT wants me to have a bit more cushion. | I love running in a shoe that doesn’t make your legs feel like pendulums with bowling balls at either end. (!)
March 26th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Bob Stone said:

I love these shoes. Had a plantar that 2 foot doctors were unable to cure. Bought pair of Frees’ and been running in these since (2 years). Best part - you don’t have to buy a pair every 3 months, I intent to run in mines’ until I’ll get hole in the sole
December 30th, 2008 at 2:14 pm