I trained early in the year in some Saucony progrids. I was wracked with shin splints, foot pain and lack of progress. I run almost exclusivley in my Suacony Grid type A2 flats now, and all that has gone away for the most part. Racing sprints and Olymic for the rest of the year, and I am thinking about trying a pair of Nike Free. Anyone here wear them? I hate to drink the kool aid, but I seriously feel better running when my foot gets to do its own thing. I’d like to hear what people who run in them now have to say. Thanks!
I was having plantars fasciitis issues, along with aching ankles, knees and heels. I am 46 and felt my running was going downhill quickly. I honestly felt like my feet were weak and I was no longer getting any spring to my step. I was starting to heel strike. So I bought some Nike Frees. I started using them for short runs and built up to where I was doing long runs on them and finally all my runs.
My plantars fasciitis problem went away. My knees and ankles no longer hurt. My heels are pain free. I think I have my old stride back. My feet feel stonger and I feel that my feet are functioning as Nike Free claims they should, as shock absorbers. I concentrate on my stride, the stride length and my turnover when I run. I am getting some speed back- regardless of what my Gulf Coast splits show! 
I am sold on the theory. I have several pairs and will run IMKY in them. I wish they made a running sandal so I could keep my toes dry.
I am 5’9" and a little less than 160, so I am not a big guy. I had been reading about Frees for a while, and liked the theory, so made a commitement to give them an honest try. I am very happy and plan to continue running in them.
Your results may vary.
i was in motion control shoes as reccomended by a running store. had trouble with shin splints, switched to nike frees, shin splints went away.
this could be entirely coincidental, as everyone gets shin splints eventually, and they go away eventually.
but, what is not a coincidence is I hated the way the motion control shoes felt, and loved the way the frees felt.
I discovered less is better a few years ago and now there’s more and more being written about a lower ride, minimalist shoe, I could no longer run in a tall cushioned shoe like I wore some years ago and yes they do tend to promote alot of heel strike I find. I bought a few pair of the Adidas Boston last year and find them just great,good thing I picked up a few because of course they are discontinued now, just a nice light racing flat. By the way I’m 5-10 180lbs.
I haven’t gone to the Run Frees yet, but I did recently buy the Nike lunar trainer. The guy at the Nike store told me it was kind of like a pre-Run Free shoe. I LOVE 'em. Super, CRAZY light, very comfortable (despite an oddly shaped, garrish lime green sole, which I admit I love).
I was planning to run only short distances in them, just to try them out (I had been getting mild PF in my right foot). I did a local 5k, came in 2nd place with fresh feet. Later that day I thought I’d push the shoes so I wore them on a team run I lead (12 or so miles)… again, fresh feet.
Now I’ve done several 14+ mile runs and a lot of shorter races (5ks and 10ks) and I love the shoe. It might be the most comfortable running shoe I’ve had.
I’ve scoffed at Nikes for the last 10+ years (despite my friends who work for them, and despite the fact I used to run with the team!). I wore them in HS XC but never since. I think I’m re-sold on them (no pun intended).
I can’t wait to try to run free shoes next.
My running shoe history has been
Nike air max for several years then moved onto the nike shox b/c I loved the theory behind it. What I found was the shox totally changed my whole stride and not for the better. I could barely run in any other type of shoe with a low heal as my muscles were just not used to it. SO I ditched them and started wearing ryka’s then got intrigued by frees. I read tons about them and decided to give them a try. I did exactly what the little booklet thingy says and did the two week break in period for my feet. since then I have exclusively run in frees. I am on my 4th pair that I rotate through and I absolutely love them. Some people will tell you they are only good for short runs which is retarded and makes no sense. I have done several marathons as well as IMFL in my frees and will not go back. If you have a Nike outlet close to you, they are often their and very cheap. I have not paid over 20 bucks for any of my 4 pairs!
What I love most about them is that the more you use the m the better they get. I think I will have to wear a whole through the upper before I ditch a pair.
hope that helps.
+1 on the Nike Lunar trainer. Never thougth i’d switch to Nike. I use the Free’s as my walking shoe, i to think it helped heal my PF problem. I prefer like the Nike Free from over a year ago, currently the ones you get on NikeID store, better upper than current ones.
Do you run those with or without socks? Was thinking of trying the frees or the vibrams but can’t really decide.
Another vote for the Nike Lunar Trainer. I have a pair of Free 5.0’s, and they are super comfortable. But for runs of more than about 5k I need just a little more shoe. The Lunar’s are hands down the best shoe I have ever worn. Very lightweight, very comfortable, wide toe box, no arch support, or any other support for that matter. I’ve worn them for IM Moo and all kinds of shorter runs.
Im running in Free’s right now… going to switch to Lunar Trainers for support since im coming back from an ankle injury
I’ve used them with and without socks… and if you can find a v2 (I think they’re up to v4 now, brand new) they have a soft back and a nice loop - making them excellent in transitions to use as race shoes.
I’m a little skeptical now that they’re adding more structure to the uppers, but haven’t tried the v4, just the v2 and v3.
Im running in Free’s right now…
Man, I can't run and type at the same time! How did you learn to do that?
blackberry =)
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Are there any runners out there using Nike Free or Lunar Trainers that overpronate or normally run with orthotics?
Do you run those with or without socks? Was thinking of trying the frees or the vibrams but can’t really decide.
without
they are stinky!
Crap, you’re healthy now? How am I going to beat you and get that hug from your girlfriend on Monday?!?!?!? :o
Dude I’ve been bricking that course everyday for a week. You better bring your A game.
Dude I’ve been bricking that course everyday for a week. You better bring your A game.
Crap!
Good thing I’m coming off a swim workout of 8x200m on 4 minutes, coming in at about 3:15.
As well as my victory in last weekend’s bike race.
Did I mention my 5k PR of 15:13?
… on second thought, lying about my abilities will only make my embarrassment worse on Monday.
See you there!
Back on topic…what about sizing? I wear a size 10 in my Saucony Grid Type A2. Should it be about the same?
Been wearing them for the past 5 years or so with no problems. I really believe that they do strengthen your legs overall.
Normally wear them for 2-3 runs per week on the mid to semi long runs (6 to 12 miles). For longer runs, I still wear light trainers. Plus, I use them as my everyday walking around shoes in the neighborhood.
If you do decide to give them a try, follow the product advice and break into them slowly.
There are several versions to choose from. I prefer the old-style Nike Free 5.0s versus the latest ones that have a bit more of a heel on them. The older style has a loop you can put a finger through to slip them on quickly with.
Good luck,
Michael