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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)

Better than about 49% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse than 51% of 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 score out of 100. 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 score 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 ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (74/100)

Rank

Ranks above 49% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Above average (86/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (86/100)

Rank

Ranks above 75% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Above average (84/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (84/100)

Rank

Ranks above 72% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Good (65/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (65/100)

Rank

Ranks above 24% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Below average (56/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (56/100)

Rank

Ranks above 6% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Below average (55/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (55/100)

Rank

Ranks above 4% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score 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

Worse than 51% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Good (74/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 55% of 1,847 daily trainers ranked.

45%

Nike

Worse than 61% of 418 Nike shoes ranked.

39%

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
HOKA Clifton 9
Free 3.0
Free 3.0 2015
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
—
7.4 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
—
21/17mm
40/35mm
Drop
—
4mm
5mm
Release
2012
2016
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$140
$140
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Average (49%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (24%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (75%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (6%)
—
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Good (72%)
—
Very good (81%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (4%)
—
Good (74%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

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93rd percentile

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93rd percentile

+44 percentile points vs this shoe
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91st percentile

+42 percentile points vs this shoe
HOKA Mach 7

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89th percentile

+40 percentile points vs this shoe
Brooks Glycerin 23

Glycerin 23

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89th percentile

+40 percentile points vs this shoe
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

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83rd percentile

+34 percentile points vs this shoe

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10th percentile
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96th percentile

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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