Nike Free?

I've been running exclusively in the Free's since I got my first pair in August...I have several pairs now which I switch out frequently so I can't attest to how durable they are because I haven't kept track of the miles on any one pair. I will say that they are by far the most comfortable shoe to run in I've ever had since probably the Hurraches from the late '80s. I also had some pf problems in them but it cleared up as soon as I put a more structured arch support in them. That doesn't mess w/the integrity of the shoe because the most important aspect of the shoe is its flexibility...at least as far as I'm concerned. I'm doing around 45-55 mpw in them and have never felt better w/my running both during a run and post run when the usual leg tiredness sets in..I don't know why but I just don't get that running in these.

Good to hear your experience. I've had a pair for a while and have so far only used them for shorter distances. They also happen to be extremely comfortable and useful for just walking around during the day. I've got the 'trainers' with the strap; I just couldn't handle how ugly the runners were (green or bright blue); I don't think the strap makes much difference.

Instead of the Free, you could try the Adidas Cubato Plus. I've trained in them and I'm considering switching to them for all my training. The forefoot is very flexible and, unlike the Free's, they have a lower heel and put your foot at more level position (the heel height isn't so much greater than the forefoot height). A very nice shoe. My only problem with the Cubato's is my foot slipped a bit in it, but that was mostly a sizing problem.

I had the idea that switching to a more minimal shoe would help to clear up a PF problem, especially if the transition was performed correctly?

you're correct, make sure it's under control and then work on strengthing your feet and legs. short barefoot jogs on grass are also great.

Sorry again guys but is all this recommended even for some one with flat feet?

cheers

there's nothing wrong with your feet -- just have someone watch you run and make sure that the shoe is not causing overpronation.

For ex. I work with a guy who pronates a lot -- he looks like he has a thumb that comes out from below his ankle. He had been running in the Evolutions, but when he runs in the Free or 900, he looks fine -- there's no excessive motion caused.

Absolutely..if you look at the "structure" of the Free, it has a wide heel base flared like the LDV's nike had in the '80s.

Good, what are some good plantar strengthening exercises to do before running again? Or should I just do a search?

As I understand it...we get pf problems because of a lack of support for the arch and it is allowed to flex too far on plant. So I've always had the best luck putting a semi-rigid arch support in my shoes...Any good running store usually have these..I use the SoftSole variety. Gentle stretching is best since its already been stretched too far. At least that has what has worked for me....

TxXC Coach -- Lack of support in the arch compared to what? That is the relevant question for pf. Many so called stability shoes are built up in the heel and cause a lever effect into the forefoot, stretching the pf that way. Some other shoes have built up midfoot supports, but the lateral side is too built up and doesn't allow the foot to function naturally. The only shoe that bothers my pf at all (and I've run in many different shoes) is the Mizuno Wave Phantom. Go figure. The Free, however, has a supportive arch compared to the rest of the shoe.

TxXC Coach wrote:

As I understand it...we get pf problems because of a lack of support for the arch and it is allowed to flex too far on plant. So I've always had the best luck putting a semi-rigid arch support in my shoes...Any good running store usually have these..I use the SoftSole variety. Gentle stretching is best since its already been stretched too far. At least that has what has worked for me....

the opposite for me right now, last week I got plantar fasciitis from running in shoes which had too much arch support. I haven't run in those shoes since and the pf hasn't been a problem in other shoes, so it's clearing up, but it was definitely those shoes that caused it.

I guess...as in all things, there's more than one way to irritate the pf. I'm just glad I've had the frees because the minor aches/pains I'd been having associated w/running seem to have cleared up since running in these. I just hope that it's selling well enough that they don't discontinue it or try to make too many changes to it.

I was given a pair of the Free Trainer (with strap) as my contact had run out of the running model.

I found they dug into my malleous bone so much that it was uncomfortable just on a stride so had to cut them to release the pressure!

Did one 3.5 mile road run in them and felt like I was running in plimsoles! Did not feel fast at all and I could feel the road much more than say in regular racing flats or the spikeless Waffle.

As my current shoe is a Nike Air Zoom Elite maybe I'm just used to the spongy cushioning in them.

Maybe also the sole is a bit wide for me as although I'm a US 13, I am certainly a "B" width.

I did wonder if the "proper" running Free would be better. Certainly it seemed to be better cut around the foot and would slot under the malleous rather than on it. Not sure if the ride would be any better though.

Maybe need to do a few more runs in them as the literature says you need to break into them gently.

I'm starting a petition to free nike. Anyone interested in helping to free nike should sign below.

I have done the majority of my running since august in the nike waffle racer II, much of it on pavement, no problems.

The fundamental problem here is thinking a shoe is going to prevent injury; GOOD RUNNING FORM prevents injury, and the vast majority of modern trainers do nothing so much as prevent GOOD RUNNING FORM. They encourage you to plod on their heavily cushioned heels, then roll on over and rely on the "dual density midsole" or "medial posting device," or other BS marketing tool. Take a look at your bare foot. It ain't some rounded, wheel-like nub to be rolled over; however, this is what a conventional trainer turns your foot into.

Get your feet strong, and wear shoes only to keep your feet from rough surfaces, stone bruises, temperature extremes. Anything else, and you're missing the point, and also preventing yourself from acheiving natural motion. I really believe it is impossible to run correctly in a normal trainer, and regret all the injurious time I spent in them.

I couldn't agree more...before I switched to running in the Frees, I was one of those guys who would buy a new pair of shoes like the Motto, Tailwind, Creation, and then put in additional cushioning. I'm 45 yrs old and have been running since the 6th grade. I thought that I would need all that cushioning to prevent damage to knees, ankles, etc. Since running in the Frees, other than a more structured arch, I haven't felt the need for any additional cushioning. I'm a midfoot striker and because of that - I think I'm a pretty efficient runner as far as time spent on the ground during foot plant.

I must say that over the past couple of years, I've had more guys on my squad go down w/stress fractures than I've had in the last 10 years combined. But looking at these guys, the majority of them have bad mechanics that I haven't been able to correct w/form drills or anything else I could think of. (weights for strength, core exercises, replacing shoes frequently) So I definitely think that an injury bug is going to strike someone w/poor mechanics vs a more efficient runner. That probably isn't news, but I think it is a good reason to give the Free a try...because I think it tends to make a sloppy runner maybe a little more efficient because you are being more cognizant of what is going on thru the footplant and I think it puts you more "in tune" w/your body....(not to get too zenlike with this)

any new colors of the free coming out soon? I would reallt like some black ones.

This is all great information. One more question... Does it fit like most other Nikes? A little small or roomy? THnx