Anyone train in Nike Frees?

Not at all. I train in free 5.0s and they're really only good for faster paced running. I can forefoot strike in them easier than I can with track spikes. The longest run I've ever done with them was about 4-5 miles, and my shins weren't especially happy.

Don't listen to that guy....i've been running in frees exclusively for 5 years now, ive done up to 17 miles at 6:20 pace in them and it was fine. Also between 65-80 miles a week in them. Not only that but they don't break down as easy i typically get about 600-700 miles out of a pair.

Run 40-50mpw and I like the feel of them. Any cushioned shoe feels strange and tends to distract me meaning I do not run naturally.

charger800 wrote:

Don't listen to that guy....i've been running in frees exclusively for 5 years now, ive done up to 17 miles at 6:20 pace in them and it was fine. Also between 65-80 miles a week in them. Not only that but they don't break down as easy i typically get about 600-700 miles out of a pair.

Which version Free do you wear?

Zach Gingrich ran Badwater and placed 3rd in an old pair of Frees a few years ago. That is 135 non stop miles in extreme heat.

nike frees are not running shoes, they are street shoes.

Yep, been training in the 3.0s since they were introduced in around 2006. Run everything from 50m sprints to 14 milers in them. Average probably 40 - 70 mpw.

Love 'em. They cured my achilles problems. If I try to run longer intervals in more cushioned shoes, the achilles problems come right back.

In fact, I've gone Nike one better. I take my 3.0s in to the cobbler and have him shave down the heels until they're the same height as the forefoot. Presto, Nike 0.0s! They feel even better than the 3.0s.

Bob Dobbs wrote:

Yep, been training in the 3.0s since they were introduced in around 2006. Run everything from 50m sprints to 14 milers in them. Average probably 40 - 70 mpw.

Love 'em. They cured my achilles problems. If I try to run longer intervals in more cushioned shoes, the achilles problems come right back.

In fact, I've gone Nike one better. I take my 3.0s in to the cobbler and have him shave down the heels until they're the same height as the forefoot. Presto, Nike 0.0s! They feel even better than the 3.0s.

You do know that there are shoes with zero drop?

I have a pair of 3.0v4 in rotation and I like them a lot. I use them for runs up to 15 miles.

The soles are fantastic. They feel pretty well cushioned, not that different than a regular trainer, but super flexible. It isn't really a "barefoot" kind of feel.

The uppers aren't that great, made out of some weird material that doesn't stretch or breathe very well and they're very shallow. They're also starting to tear at the perforations at around 500 miles so I'm not going to get as many miles as I'd like out of them (but the soles look like they'd go another 500+ easy). The new v5 has a knit upper that is supposed to be better and roomier.

huh!? wrote:

You do know that there are shoes with zero drop?

Sure. I've tried several. But I like density and flexibility of the Free's sole better than any of the others. And the shape of the Free suits my foot perfectly too.

california pride wrote:

nike frees are not running shoes, they are street shoes.

I run in the street.

I'm sponsored by another shoe company, but I buy Frees with my own money. They don't work for everyone, but I really like them. I have a few pairs of the 3.0, v3, which are my favorite shoe of all time. Cushioned, flexible, and they are actually really durable as I have more miles on those than any pair I've ever had.

I used to train in them and they're fine. I ran 70-80 miles a week in them. I ended up switching to xc flats because my feet just don't react well to any arch support. Whenever I use a shoe w arch support it gives me plantar fasciitis. Now I run in xc flats and have for years w no injuries. I run up to 100 miles a week in them and put 800-1200 miles on a pair and they cost less than $50.

I used to wear Frees. Like an above poster, my achilles can't handle anything else, since the plastic heel cup tends to dig in. I run a lot on the streets, so mine tended to last two months or so. I've since switched to Skechers GoRuns at the recommendation of a friend. I've loved them and also love the fact that I can find them a lot cheaper than Frees ($27 from Amazon a few months ago, now in the $40s). I never had an issue making the transition to more minimalist shoes. As for mileage, the most I've done in the past couple years is 75/week.