A lot of people has been asking me about this new pair of Nike i have been walking around with. well, i really wouldn't be surprise. Firstly, it's Nike, many would know i am a sucker for the brand. Secondly, it's bright red and grey. Finally, it has a certain unique outlook which makes it out of the description for a pair of trainers or a pair of 'kai kai' sneakers.
well, as u would have guess, i'm talking about the new Nike Free 5.0.
the Nike Free series has kinda been around the market for a few years now i think. i have been wanting to lay my hands on a pair since.. i dunno when. however most of the time, my pocket is usually burned with a certain pair of trainers or some bike stuff ( yay yay i am a bike 'whore').
the thing about this Nike Free is, simply put, not meant for running. at least not anything more than 5k for an average runner. i remembered when i ran my first marathon, i spotted a few people wearing them for the race and months later (after i know more about these series of shoes), i am stunned by the fact that they could use that shoe to run 42km!
i think i am able to call myself an 'above average' runner (not supremely fast nor slow), at least capable of running 10kmabout 40mins. the first time i went running in the Frees, it was about 6-7km before i feel'it'. what do i mean? well, there isn't much support with the shoes and i am predominantly an underpronator: my arch collapse inwards when i run. i had a hard time getting back. BUT to do justice to the shoe, it was very comfortable, soft and true to its cause, i do feel like i am running bare foot. i've tried many brands such as Asics, Adidas, Mizuno, New Balance, Avia and other models of Nike. none offered the same responsiveness (the soft way, not the racer kind of way).it was a pleasant surprise to see a shoe being able to micmic every movement of my feet.
the shoes have a very good hug to my feet. i guess the tongue is kinda specially constructed. like always the Waffle like sole always offer a very good cushioning (but do take time to season before it becomes cushy). this is the thing i like about Nike shoes especially the Triax and Lunar Trainers. very soft and cushy. but the only bad point bout them is that they are too soft to have any 'rebound' or 'feedback' which is especially crucial for racing because u need this kind of responsiveness from minimalist shoes. i heard the Lunar Racer do offers that but well, nv got to try them.
after a few normal runs, i decided to try something new with the Frees. i tried a Brick training on it, meaning i got off the bike and ran in them for around 5k, barefoot. i was intrigued by the fact that the inner sections of the shoe was kinda covered in a velvet type of material which is exceptionally smooth and soft. i wanted to see whether the shoe's inner stitching would be ideal for triathlon (since we don't wear socks usually). to my surprise, the result was good. no blisters or red spots on my feet. nice! but the ventilation of the shoes is not very good, therefore my feets was kinda drenched and soggy when i took them out. hahaa.. but it was a good experience to try.
well, after all the torture this shoe has been put through, i have to say it's at most suitable for short jogs etc. nothing like a marathon or even half. PLEASE, do yourself a favour. it's a very decent looking pair of sneakers though and since it helps to build up certain accessory muscles which overall increase the strength of your legs (yes i do feel a bit achy after long period of wearing them), it is ideal if u wanna buy a sporty 'kai kai' pair of shoes =)
