Update 5/18/2015: Nike has fixed the issue I had with this shoe in the newest version – view my review of the 2015 Nike Free 5.0 here.
When you’re in the business of writing about running shoes, it pays to be quick about sharing thoughts on new shoe releases, particularly when the release involves one of the top-selling shoes in the country (world?). This week Nike launched the 2014 Free line, and my plan was to pick up a pair right away and fast-track a review (i.e., run in them pretty much exclusively for a week or two to get enough miles for a solid review).
Last night I went to the local Dick’s Sporting Goods to pick up a pair of the Nike Free 5.0 2014. I initially tried on a pair in size 10.5, which is what I wore in the previous version, and they felt a bit long. I asked to try a 10, and I immediately noticed that something was amiss. There is a welded overlay that extends continuously from the sole on each side up and across the base of the lace row (see area circled in red below). Overlays like this are great for providing support to an upper, but the problem is that they don’t stretch. There’s no give. And when they extend continuously across the entire upper of a shoe they can create a point of restriction. If your foot has a larger circumference than the tunnel created by the overlay, it will dig into your foot since it doesn’t stretch.
In the size 10’s, this overlay was so tight that it was actually digging painfully into my foot. I started having flashbacks to my experience with the forefoot band on the original New Balance MT10. It’s unfortunate because the forefoot of the new 5.0 is roomy, stretchy, and feels great, and I think the size 10 was a better fit. I wound up taking the 10.5’s home, and was planning on running in them today, but when I tried them on this morning I could still feel distinct pressure from the band even in the larger size.
My experience tells me that when you feel something distinctly off in a shoe, it’s probably not a good match. If I ran in them I wouldn’t be able to return them, so I’ve decided they are going back to the store unused (I’ll grab a pair of the Free Flyknit 4.0’s when they come out instead). I had such a bad experience with the same sensation in the old NB MT10’s that it’s just not worth the risk (it’s strange, I almost have a phantom sensation in that area as I sit here wearing a totally different shoe – kind of like a food aversion that develops after a case of salmonella poisoning).
My guess is that people with narrow feet, or those who have a relatively low-volume forefoot will not have a problem and the Free 5.0 2014 will work fine. My feet are average width (I can fit fine into most racing flats, which tend to be narrow), but may be slightly higher volume than average (i.e., taller top to bottom). Thus, the circumference of my foot in this area exceeds the circumference of the tunnel created by this restrictive overlay, and thus it’s a no-go for me. So my rec would be that if you have a wide foot, or a thick foot from top to bottom, these shoes may not work out for you either (and if you had a problem with the forefoot band on the NB MT10, stay away for sure!). Narrow or low volume, you’re probably good to go.
What frustrates me about this is that the shoe otherwise looks and feels great. I love the new sole, and the forefoot is roomy and has a nice stretchy feel to it. What’s more, the problem could be so easily fixed by just adding a gap of stretchy material into the overlay strap (maybe at the base of the lace row) to allow expansion for a higher volume foot. Seems like something that should have been caught and fixed in the development process. I’m hopeful that the Flyknit upper on the new Free 4.0 will perform better. We’ll see!
If you have a wide or high-volume foot and you’ve tried on the new Free 5.0, I’d be curious to hear if you’ve had a similar experience?
About Peter Larson
Interesting. I purchased a size 13, which is what I normally go with. They felt roomy than the previous version. When I walked with them, I felt a pinch in the pinkie toe area, which did throw a red flag up for me. In fact, I posted a comment about it yesterday on a forum through Runners World before I ran in them. I posted that I was concerned what this may result in, in run. Contrary to what I probably should have done, I ran in them. 20 miles. And surprisingly (thankfully) they didn’t cause me any problems as it’s relative to the spot that was buckling in, in walk. What I did not experience that I believe you are alluding to is the tension across the whole forefoot–I think I would have picked up on that and like you, would have been a bust. In the past weeks, I have run in the Mizuno Wave Sayonara’s and have really liked them. These Free’s, for me, rank right up there with them.
Running Warehouse has great prices (can use RUNBLOG10) on the outgoing Free 5.0 model.
I am eager to try on the new Free Run 3.0 flyknit. I have older versions of the 5.0 and 4.0. However, for running, I only want the 4mm drop version of the Nike Free, having already run in the 8mm 5.0 and 6mm 4.0. Trying to go lower each time I buy a new Nike Free. The upper on the new 3.0 looks very interesting.
I’m intrigues by the Flyknit upper, but worried it might be too tight. Need to find one in a store top try on.
I have felt this forefoot band in other models like the Mizuno Wave Rider 16, and the Inov-8 Terrafly 303. Totally agree with you about how they can be annoying. Then again, I have wide feet (wider midfoot than forefoot).
Peter, despite my reservations I got a pair of these and am glad I did. Unlike the NB MT10 I could only feel the forefoot overlay in one small area but it did not cause any discomfort while running. There is a lot to like about this shoe and its a big improvement on previous versions of the 5.0.
Spot on with your analysis. After putting 30 miles on my newly purchased Free Run 5.0 2014 shoes I’m afraid I can no longer wear them. I started to experience pain from the overlay digging into the top of my foot. It is too painful to run through.
Good to hear I’m not the only one. I really think people of a certain foot volume are going to need to avoid this shoe.
I agree. Finally figured out that recently acquired foot pain (thought I had developed a stress fracture on top of foot) was actually coming from the restricting overlay.
I’ve have now put more than 180 km on my 2014 5.0’s and I gotta say that I’ve not experienced any pain due to the overlay. I did however in on of my last runs experience pain du to having my left foot laced up too tight, but like I said not due to the overlay
I have the same problem! Annoying pressure, that finishes by hurting my feet. Can not return them, 115€ thrown to the garbage!
I have had the same exact issue, with the added problem of some stiff material digging into my pinky toe when I am walking/running. My feet are wider so that may be the issue. Very frustrating as otherwise they are a nice shoe.
Same problem with me. I really can not understand why nike didnt recognized this during their development process. The big problem is that i like the shoe very much and Its the first one of the nike free series with nice colours. Really sad that i have to return my green one.
It’s interesting reading these comments! I have the exact same pair that is posted first, the red and yellow. While I first adored the new look and initial feel of the shoes, it all came down to how I felt running in the them. There was no discomfort in the forefoot area, but I also have narrow feet (and also wear a size 9) My biggest and perhaps most bothersome issue is the tongue. It is a thin layer of foam that intertwines with the laces. Contrary to the previous cushiony tongues of past nike free runs, these are definitely a downgrade. After around 3 miles, I could feel the laces begin to pinch my foot because there is practically no barrier between the foot and the laces. That is my only real complaint about the shoe; however, I wish they would have just stuck with the previous tongue.
I have wide feet, and Nike shoes tend to be an issue for me width-wise, although I like their shoes otherwise (my trainers are the 4E width Pegasus, size 12). Knowing my foot width issue, I opted to buy the custom Nike 5.0 Flyknit Free, which can be purchased in wide-foot (went for my usual size 12). I have only worn them four times, but to me they have been wonderful. All of the positives, and, surprisingly, no issue with the forefoot overlay. My foot is very wide at the front, which is why I am posting and quite shocked that I don’t feel the pressure from the overlay – maybe getting the extra wide makes all the difference. Anyway, just thought I’d share my experience because I am really happy with the shoe!
Thanks for sharing, my guess is going for a wide would do it for me as well. May need to try.
Hi! I’ve been having some issues with my Nike Free 5.0 shoes… I like walking in them and they’re super light, and since I have narrow feet and wear a women’s size 8, I don’t feel the same pressure that you spoke of. However, I still feel like I’m not getting nearly enough arch support since I have high arches. Since I already dropped $$$ on these have been running in them for a couple weeks, any recs for good insoles that will fit into the weirdly narrow centers? (I already tried some standard more supportive ones from Foot Locker and after buying a size smaller so they would fit, it’s still a no go). Muchas gracias!
I don’t have much experience with insoles unfortunately. If you have a specialty run store nearby maybe stop by and ask if you can try a few different models in the shoes? Might be the safest approach.
Hi!
I have the same problem with my new Nike Free 5.0. I was planning on going to the store to complain today but after reading this it seems there’s no point. The shoes feel great but only one major problem. I can’t wear them because this huge pain I’m getting on my right foot. The pressure is so high I can’t even walk. I’ve tried different lacing, loosening the laces, wearing them with different socks (or with no sock) but hopeless…
That was 100€ well spent. :( Glad I at least got this perr support from here!
Hi Mini,
I actually ended up finding a pair of good insoles at Foot Locker- they replaced the ones that were the wrong size free of charge and helped me fit them into the shoe. I didn’t even have to trim them, but I guess it depends on the size of your feet. I’d look for some good insoles if you can’t return them, they make a world of difference, especially if you have high arches.
Good luck!
Thanks Jasmin,
my actual problem is not the insole but the pressure of the overlay digging into my foot. Does anybody have any tricks for that or do I just need to throw the shoes out of my sight? (I’m so desperate I’m even considering of cutting the shoe to ease the pressure…)
Mine have the same problem, pain in right foot on the top from something digging in. Is there anything I can do, I can’t afford a new pair.
I have these in a women’s size 9. I don’t have a problem with the band when running or walking but when I do an excersise that requires my foot to bend hard (back foot on a lunge) the band practically CUTS the top of my foot by the big toe. I’m not sure if this is something that just needs to be broken in or if there is just a major design flaw. Not good!
For those that have already purchased the shoe and are stuck with it, try removing the insole that comes with the shoe. It might give your feet a bit more space. I tried these on at the store today and I noticed the same thing that Peter mentioned. It was painful to the point of being unbearable. I then went a half-size larger and removed the insole that came with the shoe and that improved things a bit.
Some models of Nike have size wide.
If you do not fit the shoes, do not buy, not the fault of Nike.
Zapatillas,
Actually it is the fault of Nike. I have narrow feet and I ordered a half size larger for length. If you buy online you don’t know if you are going to fit the shoes. And if you don’t wear them you don’t know if they’re going to be comfortable over time. I my case, they wore fine all day until I got to the gym and did lunges. Too late because the bottoms are already filthy from walking to the gym. But, I will say, they have broken in some.
I’m glad that there are others who have the same pains as me from this model! I went on vacation to New York and I bought a pair to walk around in – it was a more painful experience than walking around all day in formal leather shoes, in fact I have never had a pair of running shoes that have given me pain before and I have worn different models and brands. The earlier 5.0 models were probably the most comfortable running shoes I have had so I’m surprised that this version is the most painful! The top of the right foot (in the area pictured above) feels like I’ve broken a bone from the outer material and lace digging in – I tried lacing differently and missing the bottom lace holes completely but to no joy. The tough outer material also digs into my little toe on the left foot causing it to bleed – needless to say, I won’t be able to return them!
Another person reporting in with extreme pain in the right foot due to the overlay digging in. Very disappointing when they cost $160AUD and can’t be taken back.
Hi, based on the comments, do you think i should return the 5.0s and get the flyknits? The 5.0 is pretty comfy but i have the same problem as shown on the picture and im not sure if the flyknits have that problem
Thanks
The Flyknits do not have this problem, great shoes!
Bought them Saturday and the upper felt too tight so decided they will be my new walking shoes. Walked in them today and I experienced a lot of pain throughout my feet plus there was tons of little stones in the soles. Cleaned them up and I think they will be OK for slippers:-)
They have fixed the problem in the new 2015 version, been running in them for a few weeks now.
Thank you for your article. I know it is old, but it is probably still referenced, so I thought I’d leave my 2 cents. I wear a size 8 in whole sizes, and an 8.5 when available. I purchased these in an 8.5 and had the same issue as you. It was brutal. I was in agony within an hour and had to rush back to the store. Since this is an older model, they didn’t have a half size larger, but they did have a full size larger (size 9)…skeptical (as I’ve never gone that far up), I bought them to take home to try. Paired with a normal running sock, they fit just right. All of the pressure across the band is gone. I am so happy I gave the larger size a try.