 Nike Free 5.0 |
| Full Name: Nike Free 5.0 |
| Category: Barefoot Training |
| Weight: 8.5 oz. (240 gr.) |
| Suggested Price: 90$ |
| Recommended For: Runners who want to add “barefoot running” to their training regime |
Nike Free 5.0 General Info:
UPDATE 2012: Find here the 2012 versions of the Nike free:
Nike introduced the Free concept in 2005 as a way of conjugating the principles and advantages of running barefoot to strengthen the feet and legs with the protection and traction of a training shoe – in a lightweight package.
With increasing frequency coaches and podiatrists are suggesting runners to include barefoot runs to their running schedule. The logic behind it is that the use of cushioned and supported modern running shoes, our feet are becoming lazy. We don’t use our foot’s muscles very efficiently because the shoes do it for us. They correct our errors and even when we do put our foot the wrong way or with too much intensity – they take the shot on our behalf.
Experts say that while running barefoot you are forced to naturally improve your running gait and and the same time strengthen foot and legs muscles.
Not everyone has the luxury of a bare foot training environment like a pristine beach or a soft, grass field to experience the benefits of training barefoot. Running on concrete is not what our legs and foot were designed for, thus we do need the protection offered by a shoe (we can’t see how landing with your bodyweight on a rock can improve your running at all).
The Nike Free is designed as your second best choice after running barefoot. The video below is very interesting and shows you how Nike created the shoe.
Nike Free 5.0 Sole Unit:
The phylite midsole of the Nike Free 5.0 features a Waffle outsole construction for a lightweight cushioning along with traction and durability. The mid-sole also provides enough durability to double as an outsole, dramatically reducing the weight.
There are deep, gender specific carves (sipes) molded along the length and width of the midsole, and these are what creates the barefoot feeling: you don’t have a piece of foam to flex anymore, but almost independent “blocks” that adapt to your foot while it moves during the running gait.
There are inserts of soft, durable foam under the forefoot and the heel in order to provide a degree of cushioning where needed.
Nike Free 5.0 Upper:
Although looking minimalistic and simple, the upper of the Nike Free is engineered specifically to achieve the barefoot sensation as well. The last is the model around which a shoe is built. The last for the Nike Free is different from a traditional running last in the way that is more contoured to emulate the shape of a bare foot. (have a look at the video to better understand).
The Nike Free 5.0 is at the middle of a flexibility scale where 0.0 is the equivalent of running bare foot and a 10.0 of a standard running shoe. Nike also has a Nike Free 3.0 and the Nike Free Everyday is between the Nike Free 5.0 and the standard running shoe at 10.0.
The flexibility index of a Nike Free (3.0, 5.0 etc.) does not only refer to the sole unit, but also to the upper which has to have the same ration between support and freedom as the midsole.
Even before you start running in a Nike Free – just by trying it on – you can feel that you are wearing something completely different, as the upper fits like a sock and is most likely more breathable than your average cotton sock.
Nike Free 5.0 Opinion:
We are big fans of the Nike Free for quite some time now. It is difficult to describe it since it is a totally different feeling from any other running shoe.
The first thing is the comfort. From the moment you step in the shoes and take a first walk the most common reaction is “that is the most comfortable piece of footwear i have ever worn”. You will start wearing it as often as you can and we swear by its comfort on long plane trips.
But how does it perform as a running shoe?
It is not an everyday trainer, especially if you run on hard surfaces. It does offer basic cushioning and support but we recommend to ease yourself into Nike Free running progressively. It will not replace your high-mileage training shoe but it should be worn once weekly (according to your training schedule) in relatively short runs, maybe just starting with a couple of kilometers and increasing week by week. Your foot muscles will get a specific workout, but as every with every workout, overtraining is worse than no training.
As to which model to chose (3.0, 5.0 or everyday) we suggest over pronators to wear the 5.0, while neutral runners can approach the 3.0.
UPDATE 2012: Find here the 2012 versions of the Nike free:
Nike Free 5.0 Price Comparison:
 | Nike - Free Xilla Tr (white/varsity Red/black) - Footwear Zappos Free shipping both ways (free return shipping), 365 days returns | $74.99 |
 | Men's Nike Free 5.0+ Running Shoe - Volt/blue 11.5 RoadRunnerSports Free shipping, 60-day perfect fit guarantee: possible to exchange shoes after using them for two months. | $99.95 |
 | Nike Free 5.0+ Men's Running Shoes - Sport Turquoise, 9 Nike Nike official store. Free shipping on all orders over 100$. | $100.00 |
Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!
thanks for the link franklin.. lotta good info on the vibrams.. which i love!
is this a good shoe for overpronators like me?
hmm the newtons seem ok for overpronators since they have a couple of styles for over and under pronators.. try searching “barefoot running shoes” and i think they come up as well as others that might work out well.
I am an overpronator, and using nike free 5.0 for running almost every day for months already. They are good running shoes, very comfy but obviously not be made for overpronators.
This shoe is made for overpronators in that it helps to strengthen the muscles in the foot that help to absorb impact which overpronation is a result of being flat footed and therefore having no impact absorption.
“Not everyone has the luxury of a bare foot training environment like a pristine beach or a soft, grass field to experience the benefits of training barefoot. Running on concrete is not what our legs and foot were designed for, thus we do need the protection offered by a shoe (we can’t see how landing with your bodyweight on a rock can improve your running at all).”
This is a very common statement from people with little or no experience with running barefoot. I run exclusively barefoot, never liked running shoes much, and only on asphalt and concrete. Concrete is by far the best surface on which to run barefoot. I’ve been looking into getting some Frees for interval training on grass. I would never run barefoot on grass in or near big cities. People leave syringes and broken bottles there, and in grass you may not see them. (And further away from the big cities you have twigs, sharp rocks and snakes.) I see syringes and broken glass every now and then on the concrete track where I usually go for my runs, but that’s the thing; I see them, so I step next to them.
I suggest that unless you clock at least a hundred kilometers barefoot (and when I say barefoot, I mean barefoot) before you start dispensing advice on the topic. If you plan on starting to run barefoot, never ask people whose salary depends on your shoe consumption.
I just got the free 5.0s after being in a nike zoom elite and had my first run in them today. about 30 min into the run my arches were hurting and it got unbearable by the end of the run. Is this just because i am not accustomed to running in such little shoe? it is the least shoe i have ever been in, and i am wondering if i just need to get used to that. Thanks!
If this is your first run in the Frees, I would hold my judgement for a while. Take it slow and build up mileage gradually. You suggested you run for more than 30 minutes – I usually run 5-8km in the Frees, not more.
Nice review.. I’m an overpronater too with knee problems. Some say that switching to midfoot/front (Free 5.0 ie) should result in less injuries in knees. Anyone agree to that?
I got my pair of 5.0′s and they are very cool shoes thanx Nike
Hi, just got these shoes and wanted to leave my review, that is not exactly like the others.
Typically I wear a more traditional running show like a mediocre Nike Dart or along the lines with good ankle support, thick sole, and higher arch. About 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of Nike Free 5.0′s and must admit I was not happy with the first few runs. The shoe has less support than traditional running shoes (at least in my case) and therefore put extra strain on my ankles, calves, and knees. The first time I ran with them I only made about 3/4 of my run and returned early.
I typically run around 4-6 miles every other day at varying tempos. The Free does start feeling better the longer you use it and I am sure that if I go back to the kind of Nike I am used to my run times will improve as result of using these. I am actually considering alternating between these and my pair of running shoes.
All in all the shoe is alright but unspectacular in my case.
Take care.