product reviews
Real reviews
Name: Luke Cunningham
Store: Zelus Southland
Age : 23
Name of Shoe Reviewing: Nike Free 7.0
Current running/walking shoe that you wear:
Saucony Grid Triumph
About Me:
Currently my fitness level is quite high but not as high as I’d like due to my foot injuries. I currently do a lot of cycling for fitness and as much running and walking as my injuries can handle (shin splints and other old bone injuries). I walk minimum of ½ hour each day (up to 1hr some days) and run 5+km 2-3 times per week.
Fitness Goals:
I would like to return to the same fitness level I had two years ago when I completed a half marathon. Ideally, if I can manage my injuries I’d like to run the Melbourne half marathon later in the year. I believe a core part of reaching my goal is to strengthen my feet and calves to protect them against further injuries.
First Impressions of Shoe:
I thought the shoes looked great (red and gold pair). I like the gold swoosh on the side and the suede on the front matched with the red leather. I think the sole on the inner side looks chunky which I didn’t like. When I picked them up I was surprised how light they were and also how little support they had in them, especially on the rear of the shoe (Achilles area). It was a different experience trying them on, immediately they were very different to my standard pair of runners, they felt very comfortable, flexible and light – like a pair of old soft runners that you’ve had forever. At first I was skeptical that they’d be able to handle running in tough conditions, as they almost felt flimsy. I think the first thing you notice when wearing them is how flexible they are compared to a new pair of runners. I was a little disappointed with the lack of information that came with the shoe about how to use them.
WEEK ONE
Date: 14/4/07
Type of workout: Running 4km (16mins)
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
First off the shoes felt great. I liked that I had more control than usual of the width/tightness of the shoe (I like a wider shoe) and they felt like my oldest, most comfortable pair of runners. When running they felt great and I was able to run longer than usual without pain in my shins. I stopped running at 4kms as I developed a blister on each foot on the inside where it was rubbing on the insole.
Notes post workout: Post workout my feet and shins felt slightly better than usual. Blisters were sore!
Date: 16/4/07
Type of workout: Walking. ½ hour
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
Very comfortable – had Band-Aid’s over blisters so no comment on that. No foot or shin pain which is normal for a walk of this length for me. I would prefer these shoes over my other runners for walking due to the comfort and flexibility of the Free’s.
Notes post workout: No problems, continued wearing them around for a few hours around the house.
Date: 17/4/07
Type of workout: Running at the gym on an orbital machine and general workout. Running 40mins, work out 20mins
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
The shoes were great on the running machine, very comfortable and flexible. Running on this machine is non-impact so I thought it would be suitable to wear the shoes at this stage. After 10 minutes the sole of my right foot cramped – I continued and the cramp went away. The shoes were great for the general workout after the run – they’re so light and comfortable. If I decide that I don’t like them running I’ll still defiantly be wearing them for a workout.
Notes post workout: Fine – no pain
WEEK TWO
Date: 19/4/07
Type of workout: Walking with some jogging. 40mins
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
I found the shoes very comfortable to walk in today; it’s amazing how flexible and soft they are for a one week old pair of runners. I was curious to see how they’d feel when jogging – it was very different to my normal runners but not bad. I don’t know how they’d go over long distances.
Notes post workout:
No major issues, right sole was a little sore again and the left was tight.
Date: 21/4/07
Type of workout: Running at the gym on an orbital machine and general workout
Duration: Running 40mins, work out 20mins
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
Today the shoes performed well, there was no pain and they were very comfortable. I laced the shoes a bit looser than last time and that has relieved the blisters. Very comfortable once again during general workout around the gym.
Notes post workout: No issues
Date: 23/4/07
Type of workout: Walking. 1hr
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
Today I wore the shoes all day and went for a 1hr brisk walk with my dog through a park. No problems at all when walking. Very comfortable.
Notes post workout: After the walk there were no issues. At the end of the day my feet still felt good which I wouldn’t usually find unless I had been wearing no shoes.
WEEK THREE
Date: 26/4/07
Type of workout: Running and walking. 4km run and ½ walk
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
Tonight I went for a 4km run in my regular runners. After 3km both shins started to hurt and I walked/jogged the last km. When home I took the runners off and my feet felt like they were both going to cramp up (which isn’t completely uncommon after I’ve run some longer distances but is a bit rare for this distance) this usually subsides after I take my shoes off. I then put on the Free’s and went for a moderate paced walk to cool down and stretch – shins were a bit sore but feet felt comfortable.
Notes post workout: After some stretching the shins felt somewhat better, still a bit sore. Feet were good.
Date: 28/4/07
Type of workout: Walking 60mins
Notes on shoe performance during workout: Very comfortable, no problems. Grass was wet and therefore my feet got very wet!
Notes post workout: Fine, no issues.
Date:01/05/07 *
Type of workout: Running at the gym on an orbital machine and general workout
Duration: 40mins running and 20mins general workout
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
* Today I used my regular runners and they felt just as good as the Free’s during the running.
Notes post workout: After the workout I got a very severe cramp in my left calf – worst cramp I’ve ever had. Feet were fine.
Date: 02/05/07
Type of workout:Running at the gym on an orbital machine and stretching. Running 20mins, stretching 20mins
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
My left calf has been very sore today after the cramp yesterday. I decided to wear the Nike Free’s on the orbital machine to loosen my calf up a bit. Calf gradually felt better through the duration of the workout.
Notes post workout: Calf feels much better but still a bit sore, feet fine.
** Next day calf feels much better.
WEEK FOUR
Date: 04/05/07
Type of workout:Brisk walk. 1hr
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
Very comfortable. The temperature was cool and I could feel the shoes breathing well which was nice.
Notes post workout: No problems at all, continued wearing the shoes around the house.
Date: 07/05/07
Type of workout: Jogging
Duration: 30mins
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
Shoes were comfortable although insole was rubbing on my foot. I stopped and adjusted the tightness, which made it better.
Notes post workout: Shin splints were a bit sore but nothing too painfull.
Date: 10/05/07
Type of workout: Running 10mins Walking 2 mins. Total 1 hour
Notes on shoe performance during workout:
Shoes were very comfortable when running and gave me the comfort I needed when in the walking time. Usually my feet hurt during the walking section – there was noticeably less pain with the Frees.
Notes post workout: Fine, no pain.
Overall Summary
After the 30 day trial, I can comfortably say I am wrapped with the Free’s. I’ve never had a shoe as comfortable as these. I found them to be great when walking and wearing around the gym and will continue to use them as my main shoe for those activities. When running they were also good, especially when doing interval training. I will continue to use them as a training tool for my running but would prefer my regular shoes when doing any longer distances. I was happier running in them on a treadmill than around the streets as I was concerned I’d roll my ankle in them on un-even ground due to the lack of support. I think they look great and I’ve already recommended them to my friends, one purchased a pair. I have recommended them because I believe they’re a great shoe for walking and wearing around the gym etc. I wouldn’t recommend them for running unless the person was aware of the importance of using them as a training shoe and were pretty serious about their running.
