Nike Free 4.0 Review - First impressions
I 'ran into' some new footwear today (sic), specifically the Nike Free 4.0...
I thought I'd offer my opinion on the compared to Nike's own 5.0 model. The first thing that struck me, apart from the colour, was an unpromoted feature I consider to be a significant advance, specifically the textured insole. Each insole has a multitude of protuding spheres on the foot-contact surface. Why you ask? Well, if one stimulates the nerves on the bottom of the feet, one improves movement sensitivity & lessens the likelihood of sprains. Don't just take Nike's word for it though, or even mine! I remember reading a paper during my undergraduate studies a few years ago of an independent group performing studies using modified insoles in normal shoes, with significant results suggesting the benefits of stimulating the nerves on the soles of the feet (Waddington & Adams, 2003). I may try and figure out some means of 'texturising' all my other training shoes insoles, as this is one Free innovation I'd like to carry through to all my training!
Going on to the rest of the shoe, the upper is less supportive than before, which is in keeping with the idea of the 'more minimalism' ethos of the Nike Free series progression. The upper now has less overlays, which if anything makes the shoe even more comfortable than its predecessor. Also, the laces have been replaced with a velcro strap, to increase the work the foot has to do. However, in practical terms, the Velcro support strap is a far cry from the lacing system present on the 5.0. Unless I was to modify/butcher the strap, I can't get the shoe to grip my midfoot with enough force to give me great confidence that the shoe is going to stay on my foot (and my foot isn't that malformed)! I'm sure Nike didn't design the Free 4.0 with the potential of losing the shoe in mind.
Also, looking at the upper in further detail, the 'dynamic heel pocket' (read: crappy elastic) is still present. Now I've read numerous reports (& had direct experience) of this tearing through after a short period, rendering the shoe somewhat ragged. I had to make sling back sandals out of my last pair! I'll let you know if the heel pocket in the 4.0 lasts any time at all, but if it doesn't, I hope Nike find an alternative for the 3.0 in a years time (presuming that's the product release cycle).
Working back down to the bottom of the shoe, the midsole is lower, less sculpted to the shape of the foot in the arch area & far funkier looking. There are little round pads in the segmented sole, which whilst holding gross aesthetic appeal, also seem to aid the cushioning the shoe provides, and give more feedback of the ground, a little like the Mizuno SensorPoint system (present on the present incarnations of the Wave Nirvana & Wave Creation) perhaps?
Overall I'd give the shoe an 8/10. No doubt I'll end up buying another pair when more conservative colours are released, or the shoe gets integrated into Nike's ID program. It also fills me with some excitement about what Nike can possibly be holding back for the Free 3.0. Probably no method of keeping the shoe on the foot if this model is anything to go by, but the midsole should be pretty special...
Nike Free 4.0 First Glance Review Summary
+ points
- points
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+ points
- More comfortable than predecessor
- More minimalist midsole
- Textured insole helping to simulate the barefoot walking experience
- points
- Still has the 'Dynamic Heel Pocket'
- Less universally likeable than the Free 5.0 aesthetically
- Velcro midfoot strap has little room for adjustment whatsoever
4 Comments:
thanks for the interesting review. i'm gonna take a look at the 4.0 this or next week. I got the 5.0 & like 'em a lot!
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the review, it's nice to know I'm not just writing it for my own benefit!
Thanks for the review. Just ordered a sombre grey pair of 4.0s from sportsshoes unlimited for£47.99. Have worn the free 5.0 for four months and now wear nothing else. Raced 10k in them this morning and have run up to 12 miles in them with no problems, and several long term niggles have cleared up since i started using them.
I've been doing longer runs in the 5.0's recently, going as far as 6 miles - something I never conceived as an option. Let me know how you get on with your 4.0's. I think it'll take a brave man to run in them! ;)
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