Review – Nike Free 5.0

   

Overall impression

While these shoes have taken the world by storm as being the first shoes that take advantage of the foot’s natural ability, they lack many of the qualities needed in a true minimalist shoe. For some these may make a temporary “transition” shoe on the path towards a more minimalist shoe.

Comfort

These are undeniably comfortable from a running/training shoe perspective. The soft, thin, and stretchy fabric that makes up the upper is far less restrictive than the average shoe. It is easy to understand why so many have switched to this shoe from a traditional running style shoe.  Having said this, someone used to the very wide and roomy minimalist shoe would find these restrictive unless you happen to have narrow feet.

Flex / Sole

The flexibility this shoe is famous for comes from the segmentation of the sole. While the sole is easily as thick as many running shoes, it is cut along its length and width into small segments. These segments are connected to the flexible sole and thus allow for separation and flexibility of the sole in a way that was previously not possible. The sole is more flexible along the length of the foot than through its width.

Support / Insole

There is minimal support inside the show, but arch support is present. For the minimalist shoe enthusiast, this would be unacceptable, but for those looking for a more transitional product this may be welcomed. The insole is a typical athletic insole with some small amount of cushioning and sweat wicking properties.

Barefoot Feel

Despite the marketing campaign and Nike’s claims, these shoes are not like walking barefoot when compared to the ever-increasing line of products available from manufacturers like Vivo Barefoot and Vibram FiveFingers. While there is a significantly increased amount of flex compared to traditional shoes, the toes are not allowed to move as they do when barefoot. The shoe also has a raised heel which most minimalist/barefoot running advocates would agree is not ideal for a shoe aiming towards the barefoot style running segment.

Breathability

This shoe is remarkably breathable and comfortable. The thin skin of the upper allows for cooling and air circulation and is a very comfortable shoe to wear in terms of its cooling properties.

Water Resistance

The sole of the shoes is thick enough to avoid significant amounts of water seepage on a rainy day. The upper is not water resistant. If you don’t like wet feet when running in the rain, these shoes are not for you.

Quality of Materials / Manufacturing

This shoe is in-line with other mass-manufactured shoes. The quality of the manufacturing was excellent.

Sizing

The fit of this shoe was slightly small compared to my normal shoe size. The toe box is typical and very much designed for the average foot and not for wide feet.

Price

Prices vary for this product depending on where you buy. Expect to pay between $100 and $135 USD. This is a typical price for shoes and if you like these shoes, is worth the price.

Style

The style looks very much like a traditional running/training shoe. Our sample pair came in an eye-catching green, great for being noticed. Overall, these shoes are less bulky than most running shoes and thus have a slimmer, sleeker look.

Break-in Period

These shoes are made of primarily synthetic materials and should fit well when first put on. In principle, we believe that all shoes should fit perfectly when first put on. These shoes are unlikely to stretch significantly over time, but have a very flexible upper that may accept a wider range of foot sizes than a traditional stiff upper.

Warmth

These shoes are well-ventilated and ideal for warm weather or warm feet. In cold conditions, these shoes may be too cold for extended wear.

Uses

The target use for these shoes is for use as a running/training shoe. In terms of the context of barefoot running and minimalist shoes, these are not the ideal running shoe for promoting natural barefoot movement. They are, however, a step towards a more barefoot movement and for some people may make a suitable mid-way point towards that goal.

Summary

Nike Free shoes are a comfortable, well-ventilated, running shoe. While they have made steps towards a barefoot-like running experience, the presence of a raised heel, relatively inflexible outsole, and a thick cushioned sole bring them only a small percentage towards the true barefoot experience. There is an ever-growing selection of minimalist running products available on the market that would provide a far better minimalist running experience. The question is whether you are looking for a product that makes a small step towards this idea or whether you are looking for a true barefoot-like shoe. If the latter, look elsewhere.

Visit http://www.livingbarefoot.info

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Christopher McDougall is a well-spoken, humble man who has through the popularity of his book brought about some of the biggest changes in the perception of feet and running in recent years.  Join us in learning about how this talented author wrote his book, discovered his feet, and how he feels about barefooting and running.  This interview should not be missed.

We Talk about:

- Chris’s recent appearance at the TED Conference

- Thoughts on Interviews In General

- His first exposure to barefoot running

- How he came to find the Tarahumara while on assignment for the New York Times.

- He thoughts on his influence over barefoot running and ultra running

- How he struggled with writing Born to Run

- This thoughts on minimalist shoes

- And much more!

To learn more about Christopher McDougall visit his website: http://chrismcdougall.com