Run free and stay adaptable. The sock-like Nike Free Run 5.0 is made from at least 20% recycled material by weight and is meant to transfer from running to your daily routine. It features a flexible midsole with carbon rubber pods for cushioning and traction, textile-based cables for flexibility and the rubber outsole provides durability.
The Nike Free Run 5.0 was released in June 2011. There are two versions available: black and white. They cost $80-$100.
The Nike Free Run features very little padding yet is quite flexible. You may wear them for walking or casual runs of up to 10k in distance. Anything more serious or longer, be prepared for some foot and joint discomfort during and after the run, unless you are a barefoot or minimalist runner. The lack of cushioning means you will feel every rock, root, and irregular surface along the trail or road.
Although the Nike Free Run is designed for speed, it is also suitable for long-distance runners because there is no excess weight holding back the feet. The shoe's light design allows your body to move more freely than if it were using conventional shoes, which can help you go further without feeling tired.
Since they have less material weighing down the sole, the Nike Free Run offers better air circulation and dryness than regular shoes. This is great if you plan to go for a run in rainy or cold weather since your feet will not be as likely to get wet or cold due to the lack of structure.
The minimal design makes the Nike Free Run perfect for people who like to walk or run barefoot. Since there are no thick heels or hard surfaces that could cause pain or injury if you hit them while running, you can enjoy the feeling of the grass under your feet and the wind in your hair. Of course, you should exercise caution not to fall out of your shoes!
2005 The Nike Free is a low-profile running shoe. It was launched in 2005 when Nike executives noticed Nike-sponsored track competitors working out barefoot. They decided to do the same thing themselves by making a shoe that felt like sandals when you wore them.
In fact, the original Nike Free was inspired by research showing that most track athletes wear out their shoes by the end of the season. Since then, other versions have been released, including a version for hiking called the "Free 3.0."
Nike says its goal with the Free line is to make footwear that feels and works like the product you'd get if you went barefoot on earth-like surfaces such as grass or sand. To do this, they use a technology called "phylonite" which is a synthetic material that provides cushioning and flexibility while still allowing your body to breathe.
The Nike Free line has become popular with runners who want something more comfortable than traditional sneakers but not as bulky as some minimalism models. Sales have increased each year since its introduction at about $150 million in 2006. In 2007, about one million pairs were sold.
Nike claims users can expect to walk farther in the Free because there's less weight pulling down on the feet.
5.0 Nike Free (flexy sole like the 3.0 but with about 4mm more cushioning throughout). This is perfect for runners who are new to the "Free" series. Anything with the suffix "TR" in the model name is intended for cross training. This isn't always apparent. A Nike Free Walk walking shoe is also available. The Nike Free Xilla is a sneaker designed for cross-training.
Nike Free shoes are intended to represent points on a spectrum spanning supported but uncorrected jogging to unsupported barefoot running (on a theoretical spectrum of 10.0 for most support to 0.0 for least support, actual shoes produced have ranged from 7.0 to 1.0).
Nike Free is distinguished not only by its minimalist design and breathable upper materials, but also by the fact that it is tailored to the anatomy of the foot, so it fits like a second skin and feels like a natural extension of your body. Flexible materials allow the feet to move in whatever direction they need to from head to toe. The result is a shoe that provides maximum comfort wherever you walk.
The first thing you'll notice when putting on a pair of Nike Free shoes is how comfortable they are. They feel like nothing else on earth when you first put them on your feet! The next thing you'll notice is how quickly you forget you're even wearing anything at all. Because there's no material around your ankle or foot, you won't be restricted in any way while walking or standing, and this allows your legs to breathe easily while keeping up with daily activities or enjoying a night out on the town.
Because the Nike Free was designed with flexibility in mind, men and women can enjoy the same shoes if they fit differently sizes. Men's shoes feature a low, flat heel while women's shoes have a higher, rounded one. Either type of shoe will fit comfortably into the Free model. Also, because there are no seams where the two sides meet, they can be worn together or separately depending on what kind of look you want to achieve.
Nike Free (www.nike.com). Nike Free technology, designed for a natural range of motion, frees your feet so you can run the way you were meant to. The Nike Free outsole has laser-siped flex grooves that allow the foam to flow as fluidly as the foot. By reducing stiffness in the midfoot, this design helps prevent pain caused by excessive force on one area of the foot during stance phase.
The original Nike Free was introduced in 2009. Since then, new models have been released periodically. Each shoe is made with a multi-layer sole which includes an injection-molded EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) midsole and a rubber outsole with Nike's trademark waffle pattern. The shoes are available in children's sizes from 5 to 13 in boys' and girls' styles for every age group from toddler to young adult. A version without laces called the Nike Free 3.0 was also released in 2011.
In 2012, a new model of the Nike Free was announced at the beginning of May called the Nike Free 4.0. It features a redesigned upper with a soft foam interior and a flat heel for more comfort when running long distances. In addition, a magnetic button opens the shoe, allowing you to adjust the fit while keeping your hands free for running or walking outside.