Is the Nike Free 5.0 a good running shoe?

Love them ... got 5 pairs ... I run 50+ mpw and get 300+ miles out of them. Light, comfortable. Only negative is the flexible sole does pick up lots of small gravel. Good for tempo runs. Good shoe for half marathon or marathon if running 6:00 pace or slower.

Not a shoe for a beginner. I am having a lot of my new runners who are running very low miles to start the season(less that 25mpw) get all types of lower leg problems. I think there is just too much lateral flex that a newbie can't handle.

Or maybe it's just that they're new to running that much?

Another possibility wrote:

Or maybe it's just that they're new to running that much?

Idiot.

Pissed Coach wrote:

Not a shoe for a beginner. I am having a lot of my new runners who are running very low miles to start the season(less that 25mpw) get all types of lower leg problems. I think there is just too much lateral flex that a newbie can't handle.

Surprise! Novice runners get injured because they've been lazy couch potatoes, not because of what shoe they wear.

Have a few pair and I love them. I get flack all the time from others for not wearing "real" running shoes, but most are people that I don't listen to anyway. I rotate between those and a few pair of NB 1400s and Kinvaras. To me they just feel better than shoes with a lot more support, but then I don't really have any biomechanical issues so I can probably get away with things that others cannot (and am 115 lb female which also helps). I really like that they allow my feet to flex and I have never had an issue with the cushioning. I typically run 50-60 miles per week but have used them during weeks with 80+ and have never had a problem. And I feel like they last forever. I will say that I use them for mid-week runs but typically do long runs in my Kinvaras, just personal preference.

Regarding the little rocks, yes- my Frees are not allowed in my house- otherwise we will be stepping on little rocks for days to come. I have a nice little collection of pebbles on the floorboard of my car.

Another possibility wrote:

Or maybe it's just that they're new to running that much?

Agreed. New runners suddenly doing 25 mpw are bound to have some leg soreness no matter what shoes they wear. And experienced runners who wore highly cushioned trainers will have issues when they switch to Frees as their calf muscles and Achilles gradually return to their natural length.

The Free 5.0 & 3.0 was all I ran in for about 4 years. (160 lb forefoot striker.)

They're great. The fly knit version however caused my feet to become numb.

I now alternate between the Free, the Kinvaras and the Skechers Ride 3.

The Free and Ride 3 are extremely flexible. All three are light with a soft landing.

I've never been able to distinguish the difference between a soft landing and cushioning. It must be my running style because I've run in shoes noted for their cushioning that felt hard to me.

Pissed Coach wrote:

Not a shoe for a beginner. I am having a lot of my new runners who are running very low miles to start the season(less that 25mpw) get all types of lower leg problems. I think there is just too much lateral flex that a newbie can't handle.

I don't even think they are good for walking.

Not enough cushion.

Tried on the Nike Air Structure 18 the other day, was very impressed by the low weight and nice "ride" / cushioning.

Coach K wrote:

Another possibility wrote:

Or maybe it's just that they're new to running that much?

Agreed. New runners suddenly doing 25 mpw are bound to have some leg soreness no matter what shoes they wear. And experienced runners who wore highly cushioned trainers will have issues when they switch to Frees as their calf muscles and Achilles gradually return to their natural length.

Nike Free has a 10 mm toe-heel drop. A lot more than many other shoes, so it´s certainly not minimalistic in that aspect.

well,. wrote:

Nike Free has a 10 mm toe-heel drop. A lot more than many other shoes, so its certainly not minimalistic in that aspect.

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I thought that the Free 5.0 had a 5 mm drop and the Free 3.0 a 3 mm drop.

(That's why they're called the 5.0 & the 3.0)

So it's a 10 mm drop if you add the two shoes (that would be the left shoe and right shoe) 5 + 5 = 10!!

I was thinking about buying these shoes but I was not sure whether it will be a good fit for me or not. I like long distance and short distance as well. I've been conducting research and I wonder if this will be a good fit for my needs. It seems that these shoes works out for your needs, as far as long distance and fast pace runs. Would you recommend these?

I don't like the nike free, they're too flexible and too soft. I like a shoe with minimal cushioning, preferably zero drop, but is stiff and firm.

I can't see the benefit of these shoes as soft as they are. They are more like slippers. All exposed eva soft foam. I think Nike even says they are for the casual runner or something.

I'd look elsewhere personally.