4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 28, 2014
training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Nike Free 3.0
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
65
Overall
65
Appearance
83
Cushioning
72
Comfort
68
Value
59
Durability
59
Confidence
89
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.
Confidence
89 High
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.”
“Fits like a sock, and there are no hot spots when running.”
“Not incredibly durable; heel or toe ripping after not too many miles.”
“Low support may increase injuries without high foot and ankle strength.”
“First pair lasted 1000 miles.”
“Right amount of cushion without feeling like marshmallows.”
“Cuts and rubs into foot more than any other shoe.”
“Don't run in them when wet; insides turn to sandpaper.”
“Very limited lifespan.”
“Started to fall apart quicker than any shoe ever had.”
“Doesn't tear up on top and looks almost new after washing in the washing machine.”
“Almost no support, but good cushioning.”
“Very fast on road for long distance running.”
“Sole wears down quickly, but support level doesn't change due to minimalist design.”
“Excellent ride and way it interfaces foot with the ground.”
“Low profile 4mm drop is much better.”
“Light, comfortable, breathable.”
“Better than 5 fingers for long runs; legs don't get beat up.”
“Gravel tends to stick in the bottom.”
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.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Confidence
Better Shoes Rating
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
-
2014 · 7 reviews
67 Below average
90 Confidence
-
Free 3.0 This shoe
2012 · 20 reviews
65 Below average
89 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Release
- 2012
- MSRP
- $140
Runner reviews
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 28, 2014
20 mpw training for middle distance
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 3/5
5/5
Overall
Very low support shoe, but extremely light. Because of the low support, unless you have high foot and ankle strength, injuries might increase. The shoe is very fast on road for long distance running and is moderately good at track sprinting.
Overall, if you have the strength in your foot and ankle to overcome the almost zero support, the shoe is amazing for road running. Can be used for track sprinting but there are way better shoes out there at the same price.
Anonymous runner · Aug 27, 2014
45 mpw training for middle distance
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
5/5
Overall
Don't run in them when they are wet, the insides turn to sand paper, besides that they are best shoes i ever had
Anonymous runner · Aug 27, 2014
20 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 3/5
5/5
Overall
380 miles in 4 weeks. Loved the shoes. Very durable.
Crazyrunr140 · Aug 27, 2014
95 mpw 413 miles in this shoe training for a marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from Nike
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
Choose a model
Best appearance
Lightest
Newest
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Best overall
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Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
—
7.1 oz
Lightest
9.9 oz
Stack
—
21/17mm
40/35mm
Drop
—
4mm
4mm
Release
2012
2015
2022 Q3
Newest
MSRP
$140
$140
$165
Best price
—
—
$95
Ratings
Overall
65 Below average
—
99 Exceptional
Best overall
Comfort
68 Below average
—
99 Exceptional
Best comfort
Cushioning
72 Decent
—
99 Exceptional
Best cushioning
Durability
59 Bottom-tier
—
97 Exceptional
Best durability
Appearance
83 Good
Best appearance
—
75 Decent
Value
59 Bottom-tier
—
77 Decent
Best value rating
Nike Free 3.0 In Context
More on the Nike Free 3.0
- Nike Free 3.0 2015
- Nike Free 3.0 V5 next version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Vibram FiveFingers Bikila 1 runner
- Nike Free 3.0 V5 1 runner
- ASICS Piranha SP 5 1 runner