For any one who has not seen the Free Trail yet or wants to know about them. They are a much less flexible shoe in the mid foot. The upper is also not as soft, so it is not as responsive to your foots movement. I would also have to say that the heel height may be a little higher then the original free 5.0. The Free Trail is still a good shoe but there is a little more shoe there then the 5.0 which, does help protect your foot a little better on the trail over all.