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Karina T.
Karina T. Sendmail

Nike Free running shoe line/other minimalist options

posted almost 2 years ago | Report

I bought a pair of Nike Free Everyday (FYI info here: http://www.runningandrambling.com/2009/09/nike-free-everyday-2-shoe-review.html) and a pair of Nike Free 5.0s about a year ago to try and get into the minimalist shoe thing... my goal was to start in with the Everyday's and then work down to the 5.0s as my ankles strengthened. But then promptly I neglected running for a long while!

I'm getting back into training and running now, and have been wearing the Nike Free Everyday's and they seem to be treating my feet just fine, but I haven't been running in the 5.0 yet. When I tried to look up information on this line to make sure I was on the right track, there isn't a lot out there currently.

Does anyone have any insights or opinions on the Nike Free line? there are so many options - the 5.0 and the 3.0 (but I don't see the Everyday shoes out there any more). Plus there are now LunarRacers and LunarTrainers - and I have *NO* idea how these fit in.

Also if you've got other shoe recommendations please add them! I am by no means wedded to nike's, but these seem to fit alright for now.

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9 posts

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  • Kelley G.
    Kelley G. Sendmail

    I love my Nike Free 5.0s. I have been running in them for several months now, including long runs (up to 17 miles so far) and a half-marathon race. They have worked so well for me that I plan to use them when I run my next marathon!

    Before the Frees I ran in neutral trainers (usually Brooks or Asics), and I actually didn't find the transition to the 5.0s to be too difficult. I began by alternating between the 5.0s and my other shoes every other run, and after a few weeks of that my old shoes felt so big, stiff and clunky that I began to run exclusively in the Frees. (Of course this is a very individual thing; you may find that you need to transition to a minimal shoe more gradually.)

    I have had a great experience with the 5.0s and I would recommend them to anyone who wants to experiment with a minimalist shoe, but like so many other things I think it takes a lot of individual trial and error to find your perfect shoe match.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Karina T.
    Karina T. Sendmail
    in reply to what Kelley G. said:I love my Nike Free 5.0s. I have been running in them for several months now, including long runs (up to 17 miles so far) and a half-marathon race. They have worked so well for me that I plan to use them when I run my next marathon! Before th... read more

    thanks for your perspective! I am really liking the nike everydays, and I'm excited to step down to the 5.0s. I have had problems with weak ankles in the past so I'm hoping they're getting stronger!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • James C.
    James C. Sendmail

    Have you tried your 5.0s on at all yet? I think you'll find that it's not as big of a stretch from the Everydays. Yeah, last fall I went from an all-purpose pair of Asics to the 5.0s & haven't looked back since. I felt the transition more in my hips & toes than anything else but it didn't last more than the first few runs. Like Kelley, I tried on my old shoes & they felt like I was wearing a pair of shoeboxes.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Darrel W.
    Darrel W. Sendmail

    Karina, are you a midfoot/forefoot runner already, or does your heel strike first. If you're have a midfoot stride, it probably doesn't matter what you run in; if you're a heel-striker, then the transition to another type of shoe can take a while.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Karina T.
    Karina T. Sendmail

    x

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Karina T.
    Karina T. Sendmail
    in reply to what James C. said:Have you tried your 5.0s on at all yet? I think you'll find that it's not as big of a stretch from the Everydays. Yeah, last fall I went from an all-purpose pair of Asics to the 5.0s & haven't looked back since. I felt the transition more in m... read more

    I've been walking in the 5.0s, and they are super comfortable. the everydays are uncomfortable for walking but fine for running - I think it's some extra padding hitting in the wrong place with heel-toe walking

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Karina T.
    Karina T. Sendmail
    in reply to what Darrel W. said:Karina, are you a midfoot/forefoot runner already, or does your heel strike first. If you're have a midfoot stride, it probably doesn't matter what you run in; if you're a heel-striker, then the transition to another type of shoe can take a while.

    the first couple of strides strike with the heel, but I find if I remind myself at the beginning I don't have a problem maintaining midfoot strikes.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Heather G.
    Heather G. Sendmail

    I love love love my nike free 5.0 v4's! (the ones I'm kissing in my profile picture, haha!) I echo what Darrel said. Just start slowly in them. I was coming back from an injury when I started running in mine, so it wasn't a problem for me to only go out for a few miles at a time. A little over 2.5 months later and I'm up to 13 miles in them. I honestly hope they don't stop production of this shoe, because I'm SO happy with it!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Peter L.PRO
    Peter L. Sendmail

    I used the Free 3.0 to transition out of stability shoes and into more minimalist neutral shoes and absolutely loved them (I actually just ran in them tonight for the first time in a long while). Just take it slow and you shouldn't have a problem. I'm now running almost exclusively in lightweight shoes and run at least once a week in the Vibram Fivefingers. I've written quite a lot on my blog about my transition to minimalist running in casr your interested in more info: http://www.runblogger.com/2009/02/minimalist-running.html

    posted almost 2 years ago

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