Nike Free 3.0

Name: Nike Free 3.0
Brand: Nike
Rating: 4.5 (20 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Nike Free 3.0 V5 replaced it

How it ranks

The Nike Free 3.0 trails most daily trainers in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 20 runner reviews and 1 other rated shoe in the Free 3.0 product line.

Below average

Overall

Below average 65

Appearance

Good 83

Cushioning

Decent 72

Comfort

Below average 68

Value

Bottom-tier 59

Durability

Bottom-tier 59

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

89 High

High 89

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

Brand rating
Our ratings
External ratings

What runners say

“Solved chronic running pain issues, including shin splints.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

“Fits like a sock, and there are no hot spots when running.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila

“Not incredibly durable; heel or toe ripping after not too many miles.”

5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a half marathon

“Low support may increase injuries without high foot and ankle strength.”

5/5 Full review 45 mpw training for middle distance

“First pair lasted 1000 miles.”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon

“Right amount of cushion without feeling like marshmallows.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila

“Cuts and rubs into foot more than any other shoe.”

3/5 Full review 15 mpw

“Don't run in them when wet; insides turn to sandpaper.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

“Very limited lifespan.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

“Started to fall apart quicker than any shoe ever had.”

3/5 Full review 15 mpw

“Doesn't tear up on top and looks almost new after washing in the washing machine.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila

“Almost no support, but good cushioning.”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon

“Very fast on road for long distance running.”

5/5 Full review 45 mpw training for middle distance

“Sole wears down quickly, but support level doesn't change due to minimalist design.”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon

“Excellent ride and way it interfaces foot with the ground.”

3/5 Full review 15 mpw

“Low profile 4mm drop is much better.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila

“Light, comfortable, breathable.”

5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a half marathon

“Better than 5 fingers for long runs; legs don't get beat up.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

“Gravel tends to stick in the bottom.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

Prefer this shoe over another

67% 6/9

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Five reviewers call it light and fast, one saying it fits like a sock.
Two reviewers run in it without socks and call it breathable.
Two reviewers describe the cushioning as firm.

Cons

Durability averages 3.8 out of 5, and four reviewers report the upper tearing or the sole wearing down early.
Two reviewers say the lining rubs, one of them only once the shoe is wet.
Three reviewers describe very little support underfoot.

Free 3.0 rates 65. This shoe has high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Nike Free 3.0

Each dot is one version of the Free 3.0, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

65 2012 67 2014

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Free 3.0 V5

2014 · 7 reviews

67 Below average

90 Confidence
Free 3.0 This shoe

2012 · 20 reviews

65 Below average

89 Confidence

Runner Ratings

20 ratings

5/5 11

4/5 7

3/5 2

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Release: 2012
MSRP: $140

Runner reviews

Write a review

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).

runhaags · Dec 8, 2015

65 mpw training for a half marathon

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

5/5

Overall

Used the same model for my last pair of running shoes. Those held up for an entire cross country season.

Anonymous runner · Dec 4, 2015

25 mpw training for middle distance

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

5/5

Overall

Very light and fast.

Anonymous runner · Aug 1, 2015

20 mpw

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

4/5

Overall

Anonymous runner · May 26, 2015

45 mpw

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

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.

800metertrakkstar · Apr 28, 2015

30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila