The Bottom Line
- Extreme flexibility mimics running barefoot
- Comfortable upper highly ventilated
- Retrains muscles and strengthens your feet
- Sole with good traction for the trail
- More cushioned than the Nike Free 5.0
- Does not come in widths
Description
- Designed to imitate running barefoot, with extreme flexibility in the sole and upper.
- Comes with a training program to build up time in the shoe as your foot adjusts.
- Supposedly trains intrinsic muscles, strengthening your foot and giving you more natural stability
- Good sole protection on pavement or small gravel surfaces.
- Meant for shorter runs of 3-6 miles.
- Slips on and off, plus laces for better fit.
Guide Review - Nike Free 5.0 Trail Running Shoe
Fit
I have avoided Nike for years because their narrow toe box and lack of widths made them unwearable for me. The men's sizes of the 5.0 Trail shoe are wide enough for me.
Flexibility
The Nike Free 5.0 imitates being barefoot. The trail version has fewer grooves for flexibility than the 5.0, but is still extremely flexible. It comes with a schedule to build up your time in the shoe as your body gets used to the extreme flexibility. Walkers more than runners need a flexible shoe to allow the foot to roll through a step.
Upper
The upper is comfortable, suede-like, and designed to move with the foot. The shoe feels great, they are now my preferred shoe for wearing all day long. Most important for me, it doesn't irritate my bunion. The trail version lacks the netting at the back of the heel that everybody rips with the 5.0, a big improvement. However, I'd be reluctant to take these suede shoes out on an actual trail, I would think they would rip easily and pick up debris.
Fast
You can get a great heel plant and roll-through for a fast walking stride. These shoes make my feet want to zoom.
Verdict
These are my new favorite in my daily shoe wardrobe, great for walks and runs of 30-60 minutes to start, comfortable around the office, school, or home.
