Nike Free RN 5.0

Name: Nike Free RN 5.0
Brand: Nike
Rating: 4.8 (8 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 7.4 oz · 23/15mm stack · 8mm drop

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

How it ranks

The Nike Free RN 5.0 ranks among the stronger daily trainers in our data. Comfort and value are its strongest sub-ratings. Cushioning scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 9 runner reviews and 3 other rated shoes in the Free RN product line.

Good

Overall

Good 85

Value

Excellent 93

Comfort

Excellent 93

Appearance

Very good 92

Durability

Decent 77

Cushioning

Below average 61

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

85 High

High 85

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.

Product line track record
Our ratings
External ratings

What runners say

“The Nike Free is the only shoe that I can use and remain pain free.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw

“The only training shoe that doesn't constrain the foot, so it can provide bio-feedback to the leg.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw

“The minimal sole allows my foot to move naturally.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for ultramarathons

“Other shoes feel like strapping boards to the soles of my feet.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw

“After 200km of races, the shoe still has more to give.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon

“They feel light and fast.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw

“I have never had a blister.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for ultramarathons

“Using this shoe to strengthen my ankles and to make my form better again.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 11

“The shoe is light and retains good grip on the road surface.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon

“Got a little knee pain 20 miles in”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for ultramarathons

“Greatly enjoy the flexibility.”

4/5 Full review 15 mpw training for a half marathon

Prefer this shoe over another

13% 1/8

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 23.

Pros

Reviewers praise the comfort and the flexible, unrestrictive feel.
At 7.4 oz with a 23mm heel stack, reviewers call it light and fast.
Three reviewers with a history of Achilles pain say this is the shoe they can run in.

Cons

Cushioning is its lowest-rated dimension, and one reviewer wants more of it 20 miles into a marathon.
One reviewer recommends it for runners who do not carry much weight and run efficiently.

Free RN 5.0 rates 85. This shoe has high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Nike Free RN

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

Rating

40 60 80 100

84 2017 88 2019 85 2019 89 2017

Release year

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

Free RN 2017

2017 · 0 reviews

89 Good

72 Confidence
Free RN 5.0 This shoe

2019 · 9 reviews

85 Good

85 Confidence
Free RN 3.0

2019 · 7 reviews

88 Good

80 Confidence
Free RN

2017 · 1 review

84 Good

70 Confidence

Runner Ratings

9 ratings

5/5 7

4/5 2

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 7.4 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 7.4 oz · Women's 7.4 oz
Release: 2019 Q1
MSRP: $100
Stack: 23/15mm
Drop: 8mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

low mileage runner

4/5

Overall

I do all my runs in these shoes- ranging from 4 to 6 miles generally 2 to 3 times a week. I’ve had no issues with the relative lack of cushioning and greatly enjoy the flexibility. Would recommend for anyone who doesn’t carry much weight and run efficiently and is looking for a lightweight shoe.

Anonymous runner · Jul 9, 2019

15 mpw training for a half marathon