We have recently moved the forums to a new location.
Participate and Join us Here

deepbluex · 10-06-2005, 12:46 PM

I picked up a pair of NIke Free 5.0. Personally I think they're pretty cool shoes except that the price is pretty outrageous for what amounts to a clever combination of a flexible running sole combined with the upper of a $5 beach shoe.

I did a little surgery on mine and cut out parts of the suede upper. There is a thin stretchable nylon liner beneath it. This loosened up the fit around the toes quite a bit. It doesn't look pretty but it works ok. I basically made it look like swiss cheese. I also removed the laces altogether as I didn't feel they were necessary.

Does anyone think these might make good racing flats for competition rather than just for training?

Triguy98 · 10-06-2005, 02:08 PM

You could race in em. But there are lighter flats. My Adidas, for example are 5.0 oz and very comfy for a flat.

Also remember that the Frees are specialty training shoes, not meant to be daily cement pounders. You body will thank you by not running in those things everyday.

glbrum · 10-06-2005, 02:14 PM

I agree with triguy. You may be able to dispute this but I've heard that you should only run in the Nike Free's 2-3 days a week. As a racing flat, they would probably work great.

christri25 · 10-06-2005, 02:24 PM

how do they stay on with out laces ?

deepbluex · 10-06-2005, 07:40 PM

The Free have an elastic sock-like feel that fits pretty snugly around my feet. There is no separate tongue. The laces seem to be there to make the fit tighter but I found the fit to be just fine without the laces. This means you don't even need speed laces and you slip them on like slippers.

It's not very cushionned but it's not bad either. They do feel light. I am thinking that for a 5K run they might be just fine (I do sprint distances right now). I probably wouldn't do a 10K with them though.

Dkidd · 10-07-2005, 06:22 AM

You can work your way up to long distance running with those or any flat. I mean, people are running marys and ultras barefooted, why can't you do it with some protection to the foot. Like I said though, all comes with time.

vmarwin · 10-14-2005, 11:59 AM

If you want a superlight racing flat, get the Nike MayFlies. Disposable (100k lifespan), superlight, $35.

Brian Christens · 10-28-2005, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkidd

You can work your way up to long distance running with those or any flat. I mean, people are running marys and ultras barefooted, why can't you do it with some protection to the foot. Like I said though, all comes with time.

including overuse injuries

you can get used to a lot, but sometimes the body says stop.

Not to coment on the Nike shoe.

RV · 10-28-2005, 03:39 AM

I started using racing flats this year - Still do all my training runs with my normal training shoe - which is a motion controlled shoe, but started slowly with the racing flats. 5K's and up to HIM's. Then this fall did a marathon with them. Worked out pretty good - did get one of those runner black nail things on one toe but that was it. Just liked the flats because they are much lighter.

10-06-2005, 12:46 PM	#1
deepbluex Trifuel Regular Skill Level: intermediate Primary Distance: Olympic Endurance Level: 4,7,1 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pasadena Posts: 568	Nike Free 5.0 shoes I picked up a pair of NIke Free 5.0. Personally I think they're pretty cool shoes except that the price is pretty outrageous for what amounts to a clever combination of a flexible running sole combined with the upper of a $5 beach shoe. I did a little surgery on mine and cut out parts of the suede upper. There is a thin stretchable nylon liner beneath it. This loosened up the fit around the toes quite a bit. It doesn't look pretty but it works ok. I basically made it look like swiss cheese. I also removed the laces altogether as I didn't feel they were necessary. Does anyone think these might make good racing flats for competition rather than just for training?

10-06-2005, 02:24 PM	#4
christri25 HyperActive Trifueler Skill Level: advanced Primary Distance: Half Ironman Endurance Level: 6,8,10 Metro: Charlotte Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: columbia,sc Posts: 1,353	how do they stay on with out laces ? __________________ Chris ``It's not as if I'm going to sit around and be a fat slob,'' Lance Armstrong 2005

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-06-2005, 02:08 PM	#2
Triguy98 HyperActive Trifueler Skill Level: Int. Primary Distance: Half Ironman Endurance Level: 6,7,9 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,146	You could race in em. But there are lighter flats. My Adidas, for example are 5.0 oz and very comfy for a flat. Also remember that the Frees are specialty training shoes, not meant to be daily cement pounders. You body will thank you by not running in those things everyday.

10-06-2005, 02:14 PM	#3
glbrum Trifuel Regular Skill Level: Intermediate Primary Distance: Half Ironman Endurance Level: 5,7,6 Metro: Los Angeles Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 880	I agree with triguy. You may be able to dispute this but I've heard that you should only run in the Nike Free's 2-3 days a week. As a racing flat, they would probably work great.

10-06-2005, 07:40 PM	#5
deepbluex Trifuel Regular Skill Level: intermediate Primary Distance: Olympic Endurance Level: 4,7,1 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pasadena Posts: 568	The Free have an elastic sock-like feel that fits pretty snugly around my feet. There is no separate tongue. The laces seem to be there to make the fit tighter but I found the fit to be just fine without the laces. This means you don't even need speed laces and you slip them on like slippers. It's not very cushionned but it's not bad either. They do feel light. I am thinking that for a 5K run they might be just fine (I do sprint distances right now). I probably wouldn't do a 10K with them though.

10-07-2005, 06:22 AM	#6
Dkidd Trifuel Regular Skill Level: Beginner Primary Distance: Sprint Endurance Level: 5,6,7 Metro: Houston Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lake Jackson, TX Posts: 179	You can work your way up to long distance running with those or any flat. I mean, people are running marys and ultras barefooted, why can't you do it with some protection to the foot. Like I said though, all comes with time.

10-14-2005, 11:59 AM	#7
vmarwin Trifuel Regular Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced Primary Distance: Half Ironman Endurance Level: 9,10,8 Metro: Philadelphia Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 210	If you want a superlight racing flat, get the Nike MayFlies. Disposable (100k lifespan), superlight, $35.

10-28-2005, 03:39 AM	#9
RV HyperActive Trifueler Skill Level: Training for IMWI 08, 2xIMWI Finisher Primary Distance: Ironman Endurance Level: 5,8,6 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ottawa, Wi Posts: 3,063	I started using racing flats this year - Still do all my training runs with my normal training shoe - which is a motion controlled shoe, but started slowly with the racing flats. 5K's and up to HIM's. Then this fall did a marathon with them. Worked out pretty good - did get one of those runner black nail things on one toe but that was it. Just liked the flats because they are much lighter.

We have recently moved the forums to a new location. Participate and Join us Here

We have recently moved the forums to a new location.
Participate and Join us Here