Nike

Free RN 5.0

Free RN 5.0
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Excellent (94/100)

Shoe details

Weight
7.4 oz
Release
2019 Q1
MSRP
$100
Stack Height
23mm heel - 15mm toe
Drop Height
8mm

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (94/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than 91% 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

Excellent (94/100)

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

Excellent (94/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Exceptional (97/100)

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

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Exceptional (98/100)

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

Exceptional (98/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Exceptional (95/100)

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

Exceptional (95/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 93% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Very good (84/100)

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

Very good (84/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 71% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Good (72/100)

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

Good (72/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 41% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

13%

1/8

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 91% of 2,617 running shoes.

Excellent

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 91% of 1,872 daily trainers.

91%

Nike

Scores better than 93% of 443 Nike shoes.

93%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the previous version of this shoe.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated above average on durability.

Cons

  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on cushioning.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Lightest
Best value
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.4 oz M Lightest
15 oz M
Stack
23/15mm
Drop
8mm
7mm
Release
2019 Q1
2019 Q1
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$100 Lower MSRP
$130
$200
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (92%)
Excellent (92%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (96%)
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Average (41%)
Good (73%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (71%)
Good (79%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Excellent (96%)
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Excellent (93%)
Excellent (97%) Best value
Very good (86%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

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Reader Ratings

9 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 8 written reviews

Great racing shoe

Anonymous runner · Jan 7, 2020

5/5

Overall

The shoe fits nicely and has been comfortable for races 5 to 15km. The shoe is light and retains a good trip on the road surface. Having completed over 200km of races the she still has more to give.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Nike Free RN 2018

Anonymous runner · Aug 13, 2019

5/5

Overall

As an 80-year old runner, I was having Achilles tendon pain. I tried several other trainers with stiff heels, which seemed to make the pain worse as soon as I put them on. I've only clocked about 50k in these Nikes, but now it only hurts when I sit down, not while I'm running.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
3/5

Nike Free 5.0

Anonymous runner · Aug 10, 2019

4/5

Overall

Using this shoe to strengthen my ankles and to make my form better again. If I have stiff calves and little achilles aches I tend to go for a while with a Nike Free shoe. I'm a forefoot striker. Planning to implement this shoe as a weekly 'recovery' shoe. I don't go faster then 06:30 miles while running in this shoe.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

I love my Nike Frees

Anonymous runner · Jul 23, 2019

5/5

Overall

Started wearing the shoe when Nike advertised it as a walk-about shoe, to be worn after running, but I liked it so much I started running in it. The first time I did a marathon in this shoe I thought I might have made a mistake - got a little knee pain 20 miles in and thought maybe I needed more cushion. But next day I felt fine and so have worn this shoe exclusively ever after - except for trail/technical running - even for ultras. The minimal sole allows my foot to move naturally. I have never had a blister. I know no shoe is right for everyone, but this one is perfect for me.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Nike Free

Anonymous runner · Jul 11, 2019

5/5

Overall

I've run about 20 miles a week in these since they first came out (about 18 years), and never had a significant injury. They feel light and fast. They are the only training shoe I can find that doesn't constrain the foot, so it can provide bio-feedback to the leg. Now I actually can't run in other types of shoes, because they feel like strapping boards to the soles of my feet.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5