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Nike

Free 3.0

Shoe image placeholder
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Good (74/100)

Shoe details

Release
2012
MSRP
$140

Ratings & Reviews

Good (74/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
?

Scores better than 48% of all shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes Rating. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Good (74/100)

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (74/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 48% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Very good (85/100)

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (85/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 74% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Very good (84/100)

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (84/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 72% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Average (66/100)

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Average (66/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 26% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Durability

Below average (56/100)

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Below average (56/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 5% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Value

Below average (54/100)

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Below average (54/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 4% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

11%

1/9

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 48% of 2,617 running shoes.

Good

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 44% of 1,872 daily trainers.

44%

Nike

Scores better than 47% of 443 Nike shoes.

47%

Pros & Cons

Cons

  • Reviewers rate this shoe worse than the previous version of this shoe.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Shoe image placeholder
Nike Free 3.0 2015
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Free 3.0
Free 3.0 2015
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
—
7.4 oz M
—
Stack
—
21/17mm
—
Drop
—
4mm
7mm
Release
2012
2016
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$140
$140
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Average (48%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (26%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (74%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (5%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Good (72%)
—
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (4%)
—
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

20 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 20 written reviews

Reader review

runhaags · Dec 8, 2015

5/5

Overall

I really enjoy running in this shoe. It has almost no support, but good cushioning, which is what I look for in a shoe. I am on my second pair, and the first one lasted me 1000 miles. While the sole wears down a bit more quickly than some other shoes, the level of support doesn't change since it is fairly minimalist to begin with. I had no injury problems at all with this shoe, and was doing all of my normal runs in it (flats/spikes for workouts and races).
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Dec 4, 2015

5/5

Overall

Used the same model for my last pair of running shoes. Those held up for an entire cross country season.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 1, 2015

5/5

Overall

Very light and fast.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · May 26, 2015

4/5

Overall

Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

800metertrakkstar · Apr 28, 2015

5/5

Overall

The shoe fits like a sock, and there are no hot spots for me when I'm running, either sprints or long distance. I have even run some 800m varsity meets in it, and I PR'd with it. Much more comfortable than any other shoe ever made, or ever will be made. Newest iteration appears to be less comfortable by a hair, but mainly I think because I havent broken it in yet. I ran the end of Cross Country and all of Track off season and then track season and it is only worn on the bottom. Unlike most nike shoes, which kinda suck, especially Frees and Roshes, this shoe does not tear up on top and looks almost new after washing it in the washing machine. Also, the low profile 4mm drop is much better than most crappy nike shoes. I prefer as low as possible. Used to run in Vibrams, but my feet would stink and it frankly hurt my feet on concrete. These have the right amount of cushion without feeling like marshmallows, and the inside sole is curved to shape your foot.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5