Nike's Most MISUNDERSTOOD Running Shoe | Nike Free Run 5.0 UNBOXING and FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Nike Free Run 5.0 are perhaps the most misunderstood running shoe Nike Produces. (MSRP $100) Currently on sale online for $80 or found at outlet stores for $50-$60, most runners just don't get these shoes -literally and figuratively. At first glance they seem cheap, unsupportive, and uncomfortable, but it's only after a runner becomes knowledgable about, and masters, their running form, do these shoes become clear.
These shoes are low stack-height, minimalist, barefoot style trail running shoes. Just 14 ounces! (394grams) They encourage runners to perfect their running form, shifting to the mid and forefoot to optimize for efficiency, strength building, and injury risk reduction. Running on the mid and forefoot allows the foot to absorb and return energy, and diverts it away from knees, hips, and the lower back. Having run in them, they are capable, comfortable, and I thoroughly recommend them!
These will be my next daily trainer, after my last pair which were Nike Pegasus 40s, as I prepare for my next marathon this spring! If your interested in my marathon training process, and a longterm experience of these shoes, leave a comment, or subscribe!
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[@SidwellAdventures]

Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the video, consider supporting on Patreon, or buy cool merch on my Redbubble!🙂

[@chunnel6885]

I REALLY miss the older designs. The 2016/2017 Free RNs were the best shoes I’ve ever owned and they were some of the best looking sneakers I’ve ever found in the market. Such a shame shoes are moving away from more minimalist designs.

[@SidwellAdventures]

It really is. You can’t hardly find them in regular Nike or Running stores anymore.

[@xX_BIGPOPPA_Xx]

​@SidwellAdventures is there a store who still has them? I been looking for yrs still 😢

[@SidwellAdventures]

@@xX_BIGPOPPA_Xx You can order them off of the Nike website at least. Otherwise Nike Outlet stores are your best bet.

[@josephemile-vaoga9212]

feel you man

[@twotex4235]

Same. The 2018 was great

[@CDN_Maple]

These shoes have been my favorite runners since the day they came out. Incredibly light, flexible and comfortable for longer runs. Sadly I didn't capitalize when they were in stock and only only got the 1 pair. Would love to find a backup pair here in Canada

[@SidwellAdventures]

They’re not for everyone, but they are under-appreciated! I have gotten good use out of my two pairs, (still using the second) and they’re definitely worth searching for. I’m glad you had a good experience with them!

[@cbiz455]

I bought like 6 pairs. They need to bring these back!

[@SidwellAdventures]

@@cbiz455 I hope they keep making these type of shoes too!

[@cbiz455]

@@SidwellAdventuresi keep searching for the navy ones. I have one pair and they are beat. Makes me upset the trash they have an cant make these. So comfortable.

[@bencle4348]

Love these shoes for everyday wear. Not a fan of them for running. Every pair I’ve had rip where the “sock” material meets the rubber foam at the heal. But I still buy them

[@SidwellAdventures]

@@bencle4348 they are really comfy.

[@ellel491]

I LOVE THESE SHOES!!!! i've had mine for 10 yrs now and I will absolutely not get rid of them until they are all covered in holes!!! it sucks they are no longer manufactured...they are the best!!!!!!! P.S. u r cute, John!

[@SidwellAdventures]

They are a solid pair of shoes 😎

[@Mirsunnovs]

These thing last forever. Had the free run motion Flyknit 2017, the outsole, even though most of it is foam, held up pretty well to gravel, trails, etc.

[@SidwellAdventures]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@adischenker1851]

i'm not really a runner but having wide foot with high arches it's difficult finding good daily shoes...these shoes (a size up) are the most comfortable i have ever had. also love the style and the slip-on function. truly perfect. only negative is they'r not breathable enough for hot summer not warm anough for cold winter.

[@SidwellAdventures]

That's awesome! I wear thick smartwool socks if I need warmth and really thin socks tied tight when to prevent heating, but I'm definitely gunna do a long term review when I wear them out!

[@twotex4235]

U gotta try the 2018s

[@AndyK.23]

@@twotex4235 My new 2018's started squeaking after a few wearings. Returned them to Nike. the 5.0's are dead quiet.

[@ajmunn1229]

This is their best shoe in years and they stopped making it already to make a thicker free again. I use my VFF most of the time but if I do throw an athletic shoe on, this is it.

[@SidwellAdventures]

It’s really frustrating they’re not gunna make it like they used too 🫤 I wear mine all over, I think they’re super comfy for walking and running

[@nationharris]

This was a helpful video - thanks!

[@SidwellAdventures]

I'm glad you found it so! Anything in particular?

[@QuikRik_]

I know its not optimal, but Ive had these exact pair since 2021 and been using them almost everyday in the gym since Dec 2022. Still alive and kicking! Although I take them off sometimes when I do heavy squats. Best shoes!

[@SidwellAdventures]

That's awesome!

[@TheFiku]

bro stole my whole flow. xddddd. regarless good vid

[@SidwellAdventures]

Thanks! 😂

[@joshr6712]

Awesome video! Definitely my least favorite bc of the soft cushion compared to my other free runs. They’re a cool casual shoe for running errands. But the sock like feel and the rubber on the heel bothered me when running.

[@SidwellAdventures]

They're not for everyone. The sock like feel can get hot when worn loose and moving around. As for the rubber on the heel, I never feel it -I run almost exclusively on my midfoot. I personally love trail running in them, they are great for being close to the ground, wide and stable. Road running in them takes getting used to, even for me, but I'm starting to throw down some fast runs and feeling speedy.

[@RainerWarrior666]

LOVE THEM!!!

[@rollingwithtay]

Nice video, I used these shoes when I started running a few months ago. Then I switched over to a pair of Brooks.

[@SidwellAdventures]

Thanks! Brooks are some solid shoes too.

[@loribufka1792]

Great job with the review! You answered most of the questions I had about the shoes. What is the longest run you have worn them for? Did you feel "beat up" at all from the more minimal shoe?

[@SidwellAdventures]

Longest so far is 9 miles, my feet are adapting to them -we’ve had some very slushy weather of late; but I’d say I’m still breaking them in. My feet have felt really good in them, especially at lower speeds where I don’t need them to be broken in as much.

[@matthewpilling4828]

I have 3 pairs .. I love them

[@SidwellAdventures]

I got 2 pairs 😎

[@Denvervol4life]

I would never run in this shoe but I’ve had 2 pairs and going to get another. They are my favorite gym shoe ever

[@SidwellAdventures]

Aw man, I’m loving running in these shoes right now. Just did 9mi at 6:53avg pace, they’re light, stable, and speedy. Do you run?

[@twotex4235]

The 2018s are my favorite but hard to find in all black

[@tareqz5]

Dawg its available on nike's website

[@bode360]

Also on StocX

[@scottbaylon]

Need an update!

[@SidwellAdventures]

@@scottbaylon I got about 300 miles out of my pair. The wear was interesting, more concentrated under my big toe where I tend to land and use/put more pressure on. All wear is uneven on shoes -based on stride, but the softer foam just made it more so. It kinda evened out my stride over time. When I used a stiffer shoe it kinda messed with my stride. Overall I liked them! Hoping to get ~500 miles out of my Altra Torin 7s.

[@scottbaylon]

@@SidwellAdventures wow that's awesome. any knee, back or IT band pain? I put about 300 miles in a Nike Pegasus. Then tried the Torin 7's and after about 200 miles or so I got terrible IT band pain and had to stop training for my marathon. After about a 6 month break, I started listening to Born to Run while I ran. I run mostly in the Pegasus but did 13 miles one day in my Nike Zoom Fly 5's....instant knee pain when I was finished. The ironic part was I was listening to the chapter about more expensive, foamier shoes causing more injuries. Got really interested in the barefoot feel of the Nike Free, which led me to your video!

[@SidwellAdventures]

@@scottbaylon It’s only when I did a long run in a stiffer foamier shoe that I got some shin tendonitis. Switching to my Torin 7s was great and I’ve recovered nicely since then. It takes time for your body to adjust to a new shoe, you have to use them on easy days w slow and low milage and then work up from there.

[@scottbaylon]

@@SidwellAdventures thanks, I want to try the Free's out after my marathon!

[@SidwellAdventures]

@@scottbaylon good luck!

[@angelmaldonado5657]

Hey brother found these for 40$ do you recommend to include to your running shoes rotation?

[@SidwellAdventures]

I would recommend these if you like trail running or if you have crushed limestone trails near you. That’s where these shoes really shine. If you are running long and fast on roads they can heat up and cause discomfort. They are a good tool to help transition to forefoot running too. For $40 I’d say use them for these purposes and you’ll get your moneys worth for sure!

[@jonahhawtheorn6410]

Are these shoes good for people who heel bash when they run? Asking for a friend.

[@SidwellAdventures]

They'll help you adjust your form to run without heel bashing, which is good for efficiency, long term injury reduction, and growth of strength and stability. They do have a rather wide and tall heel for comfort, with a rubber patch for grip and durability. I think they could be good yes.

[@jshanker2005]

Dear Nike Free Run 5.0, please accept my deepest apologies for misunderstanding you !!😥

[@SidwellAdventures]

I’ve been told to accept the apology on behalf of the the Nike Free Run 5.0 👍🏻

[@Kworks86]

how is the fit?

[@SidwellAdventures]

They run a little narrow surprisingly, but otherwise snug and somewhat sock like.

[@hannaletasz6119]

⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@SidwellAdventures]

🌩️🌩️🌩️

[@BodyOpt]

Truly awful shoe. Incredibly narrow at the front, face me my first ingrown toenail. Thin mesh near the ankle is utter junk, tears apart rapidly. Severe heel elevation, so your tipped forward. Massive overblown heel wedge, natural heel strike is impossible. Cheaply made, massive profit, bottom line.

[@SidwellAdventures]

I agree that the rubber patch in the heel is not ideal for heel strike, but that's not how you are supposed to run anyways. It's also only a 4mm heel drop, which is actually below average for the current running shoe industry. Personally, I really like the heel and find it grips moves with my heel well. The front of the shoe may run a bit narrow, but I find the upper to be sock-like and conforms to the foot.

[@BodyOpt]

@@SidwellAdventures the first time I wore them, I could barely walk. They simply don't correlate to how the foot is shaped or articulates. I'm sure they caused my ingrown toenail, and quite quickly.

[@SidwellAdventures]

@@BodyOpt Weird, maybe you needed a larger size 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ajmunn1229]

They worked well for me but i did feel in a 12 which i normally wear in nike that my outer toes were pushed against the material a bit. If it was your big toe, you should size up is my guess.

[@AndyK.23]

Yup! Great for walking gingerly and indoor training.