Nike Free 5.0 "Barefoot" Shoes

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
I got these the other day, wore them around the house and at the office for a few days to acustom my feet to them, as per the directions. Took some getting used to, they're kinda like aquasocks, if you know what those are.

So I went for my first run with them today. Here's my findings:
1) They're very thin, to give you that barefoot feeling. As a result, I nearly died when I stepped on an acorn. I shouted "ooooohhhh" and flailed my arms as I flew off the side of trail, in a Kosmo Kramer like explosion of pain.
2) They don't possess any of the fancy cups and bowls in the soul that a lot of running shoes do to give you balance. You need to concentrate on stepping straight and balancing with these, I could easily see serious ankle injuries.

These are training shoes, they're not meant to replace your regular running shoes permanently, but rather to help you build strength in your feet and legs through "barefoot running."

Running with these is a totally different experience. I run 5 miles a day, the same route, and it doesn't tire me out. With these, whole new areas of my legs are sore.

I've only had them for 3 or 4 days, but I'm going to give them a tentative :thumbsup:, pending a serious injury (pinecone) on my part.

Oh, they cost $85, and Finish Line is the only place that gets good colors. Every other place is limited to two colors. I got royal blue and black.
 

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
You can also get them on Nike ID for a small premium. I wish I was a runner. All the good shoes are made for runners.
 

KokomoGSTmp

Senior member
Aug 29, 2004
412
0
0
Have you ever tried those Nike Presto training shoes?

The two pairs I own are finally starting to give out so I'm in the market for ultralight shoes again... I loved how they could do dual duty as decent driving shoes. Too bad real Puma driving shoes are so rare and expensive in the US.

It seems they don't really offer any cushioning? I guess it's bad for people with flat feet as well with no arch support?
 

Reikon

Senior member
May 25, 2003
693
0
0
Originally posted by: Nebor
2) They don't possess any of the fancy cups and bowls in the soul that a lot of running shoes do to give you balance.

It's sole.
 

gar3555

Diamond Member
Jan 8, 2005
3,510
0
0
I got a pair, love em for running, and even just wearing around, comfy as hell, once you get used to em.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Originally posted by: Reikon
Originally posted by: Nebor
2) They don't possess any of the fancy cups and bowls in the soul that a lot of running shoes do to give you balance.

It's sole.

No, it's soul. These shoes have souls... Haven't you seen the commercial?
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: gar3555
I got a pair, love em for running, and even just wearing around, comfy as hell, once you get used to em.

Yeah, they seem to cause a lot of foot sweat when worn with long pants though...
 

aidanjm

Lifer
Aug 9, 2004
12,411
2
0
Originally posted by: Reikon
Originally posted by: Nebor
2) They don't possess any of the fancy cups and bowls in the soul that a lot of running shoes do to give you balance.

It's sole.

no fvcking kidding. it's a mistake. pls remove the carrot from your rectum.
 

gar3555

Diamond Member
Jan 8, 2005
3,510
0
0
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: gar3555
I got a pair, love em for running, and even just wearing around, comfy as hell, once you get used to em.

Yeah, they seem to cause a lot of foot sweat when worn with long pants though...


ummmm...mine don't, if anything they breathe better than my normal shoes, they have slits cut all over em to breathe...
 

James3shin

Diamond Member
Apr 5, 2004
4,426
0
76
im probably going to run a pair over the summer as well. I hope they have a all white released, I don't want to pay the extra from NikeID.
 

Mrvile

Lifer
Oct 16, 2004
14,066
1
0
Ehh, I still don't like the idea of not wearing socks. I'm afraid of foot sweat so I gotta wear socks when I get out, so these probably won't do for me. And, like sandles, they probably develop teh pew pew pew after a while.
 

EarthwormJim

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2003
3,239
0
76
Originally posted by: Mrvile
Ehh, I still don't like the idea of not wearing socks. I'm afraid of foot sweat so I gotta wear socks when I get out, so these probably won't do for me. And, like sandles, they probably develop teh pew pew pew after a while.

Yea can you wear socks with these?
 

James3shin

Diamond Member
Apr 5, 2004
4,426
0
76
just the strap, felt the same to me when i tried them on at finishline. Check them out at your local finishline Goose, they are definately "different."
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: James3shin
just the strap, felt the same to me when i tried them on at finishline. Check them out at your local finishline Goose, they are definately "different."

I will....I was going to just order a pair since I won't ahve time to go to the store:(

<---works a lot:(



 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
I am looking at these right here...

Honestly..and very candidly mind you, they look like sh!T but I need something better than the current nike's I have now..and since I only use them for jogging, why not get the most effective option, no?
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: Insomniak
Frankly, if you want to be building strength in your legs, running is the wrong way to go.

nah...I jsut want to get "fitter"...that....and I like running with my dog:)