Nike free, does anyone really train in these?

I use the FREE 5.0 for short runs (under 5.0 miles) and drills a few times a week.

I use the FREE Run also, it has a little more to it but both are great shoes.

I got 100 miles out of my 5.0 V4s before they started to show wear. I still use them some and they are 99% the same shoe. I really just need a new insole, as I cut the arch out of this one and the insole padding sunk in a few spots. I've heard the shoe is something like 20/10 for heel-to-toe. I could see this being true. Most Nikes have a built up arch and the 5.0 V4 was no except, which made me feel like my heel was sinking a lot at impact. This gave my Achilles/calves some trouble.

I'd like to try the 3.0 V2 and see if I can feel the ground a little better, but they're out of my size virtually everywhere.

Having said that, uh, I don't really use them. I just bought a pair of the Nike Free Run, but only because I was given a Nike gift card from somebody.

The Asics Gel Tarther is a 19/10 offset supposedly and fits a little wider while still having a solid road feel. It's like a 5.0 V4, but without all the softness everywhere. I actually prefer the Tarther and the price difference between the two shoes is negligible.

My point is simply that there are a lot of shoes out there that match the function of the Nike Frees, so don't think that you have to go to Nike to experiment with minimalism. The Nike Frees feel amazingly comfortable, but I'm not convinced their softness is necessarily a good thing.

If the v4's are anything like the original 5.0, try running without the insole. I preferred them that way.

To answer the OP, I think a lot of us who ran in the Free a few years ago have moved on to more minimal flats.

I have the 5.0, not sure about them just yet. I've been rotating them with another shoe but realizing it might be causing some issues ie; knee discomfort, going from higher to lower heel shoe and switching back and forth.

To me the Frees have a low heel compared to what I am use to, I'm sure other experienced runners feel the opposite.

I've only run 9 miles max at one time but probably have put in about 25-30 miles in a pair thus far.

I ordered the first pair a little too big but didn't realize after I wore them, they stretched and I recently traded them in for my normal running size. I will try them again next week and see how they go, maybe I need to wear them more often when I am not running to get my feet and legs strengthen? I really like the feel of them.

Currently in rotation are:

Free Everyday...347 miles and counting

Free 5.0...442 miles and counting

I prefer the 5.0 shoe as it is a lot more flexible. I pull shoes from rotation at 500 miles so I don't know how long they will last for you. Both pair have even wear patterns and have held up well. (I'm 5'6", 130#). I just ordered the replacement for the 5.0 which is the Free Run. The 7.0 replaces the Everyday and I don't think I'll go that route because of the flexibility noted above. For me the 5.0 seems almost as a race shoe; it just feels good on the foot. I also wear the Zoom XC as a trainer.

For me, there is too much shoe technology available.

i wear 5.0 and 3.0 for all my easy mileage, which is about 40-50 miles per week. the 5.0's have over 600 miles on them and still feel basically the same as they did new.

i've been training in the free 3.0's for 2 years now. i just got my third pair. i was in the 5.0's for about a year before that.

I've trained up to 125 a week in my 3.0v2s and put in as high as a 25 mile long run in them. Usually get about 800 miles out of a pair before I need new ones. They're the only shoe I train in.

Free Range Chicken wrote:

Currently in rotation are:

Free Everyday...347 miles and counting

Free 5.0...442 miles and counting

I prefer the 5.0 shoe as it is a lot more flexible. I pull shoes from rotation at 500 miles so I don't know how long they will last for you. Both pair have even wear patterns and have held up well. (I'm 5'6", 130#). I just ordered the replacement for the 5.0 which is the Free Run. The 7.0 replaces the Everyday and I don't think I'll go that route because of the flexibility noted above. For me the 5.0 seems almost as a race shoe; it just feels good on the foot. I also wear the Zoom XC as a trainer.

For me, there is too much shoe technology available.

You don't need to pull the Free after 500 miles unless you just don't like looking at it anymore. The padding is more resilient or something, so you can basically run in it until the uppers are gone (~1500 miles). I do pull other trainers at 500 or so, but haven't had any problems with these.

here is approx 18 threads about a guy who ran in Nike Frees only, and aveage over a 100 miles a week. His posts start on the fourth of fifth page. An ran the 5k around 14 flat.

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=1143599&page=0