Color:
Military Blue/White-Pearlized Blue-Midnight Navy
Intended
use: All runs except trail. Suitable for all foot strike positions.
Surfaces
tested on: Road, synthetic track 21° C/70° F
Upper:
Fused synthetic leather on mesh, midfoot Flywire cords, knitted mesh.
Midsole:
Injection molded EVA variant, 8 mm heel to toe drop.
Outsole:
Carbon rubber, injection molded EVA variant
Weight:
256 gms/9.3 Oz for a half pair of UK10/US11
It is best
to start in the front, where the Nike Free 5.0 sees a clean, near seam-free
execution. Moving forward from a traditional, stitched-on overlay construction
of the 2013 Free, this year’s 5.0 forefoot uses Hyperfuse layers over a mesh
which is textured like Flyknit and fits gorgeously. The lining beneath is a
single layer mesh bonded to the underside and its coverage extends from mid
foot onwards. Owing to the materials and design, the forefoot area is
effortlessly flexible, allowing the foot to bend naturally. There are no
overlays on the arch side of forefoot, and that area is only covered by the
mesh. On the toe bumper, part of Hyperfuse extends to cover the toe area with a
small mesh window – a canopy of sorts for the big toe.
If there’s
one big plus we’d like to call out, that’d be the forefoot space. The
combination of material and pattern engineering results in an abundance of
forefoot space, giving the toes enough room to splay out, with room available
both across and vertically. On the flip side, a minor mis-engineering of the
Hyperfuse overlays comes to light during runs, which we’ll cover in the
dislikes section at the end of this review.
Aesthetically, midfoot design
of the 2014 Nike Free 5.0 looks absolutely breathtaking. Unless you’ve got a
pair of black-on-black, the different design elements come alive with a
contrast of shape, color and material. The Hyperfuse panel dominates the
mid-foot landscape, and mesh underlays add that extra design dimension. The
diamond shaped window at the base reveals a glimpse of the Flyknit inspired
mesh, and upper see-through mesh windows gives a peek of the Flywire cords
underneath. The cords begin their journey at the base of the upper and end at
the top, forming loops for the laces to pass through. Tug on the laces, and the
Flywire cords increase tension around the mid foot. The eye-stay design is
asymmetrical, reducing lacing pressure but giving the shoe a lopsided look. The
tongue is a minimal affair; it is attached to the front by a Hyperfuse layer
and features multiple patterns, with two types of mesh underlays peeking
through the triangular Hyperfuse windows. We were particularly intrigued by the
novel tongue design, which splits the top into three separate flaps. Our first
thought that it was an antidote for tongue slide. But our enthusiasm deflated
quickly as the tongue slid to one side during our first test run. The thin
tongue also lets the lacing pressure pass through, and tightness is felt at the
top, where both ends of the laces come together. The 2014 Nike Free 5.0 has an
uncomplicated rear foot design. The collar construction and material is a carry
over from the 2013 version, featuring a single fabric lining backed with foam
lining.
The heel, has the case been for the past versions, is free of internal
stiffener and is pliable as they come. It has some degree of ventilation, with
a single layer open mesh over the lining fabric wrapped over the curvature of
the heel. The base of the heel is covered with a near invisible layer of film,
most likely placed to result in better bonding with the sole unit.
For the first time since
2004, the sole design transforms itself with radical newness. The flexibility radiates in multiple
directions, as opposed to the somewhat linear flexing of the older design.
Rubber usage is minimal and limited to outer heel and forefoot tip. Visual lack
of rubber might alarm some, but based on our past experience (with Free) the
foam should be hardy, capable of lasting hundreds of miles before affecting
ride performance. We’ll make a note to update this section after long term
ownership.
There’s no
denying that the 10th Nike Free 5.0’s tenth year anniversary is a complete
reset, bring in its wake a veritable army of evolutionary changes, most of it impressive.
The high point of the 2014 Free 5.0 is its redesigned sole unit which delivers
a smooth, cushioned ride with a seamless transition and multi-directional
flexibility. The upper is re-decked with new materials and construction
techniques, and barring a few gaps, the overall package would please most
runners. Upper kinks notwithstanding, the fact that the new Nike Free 5.0
platform has immense potential is unquestionable.
At which
point, we cannot help but think that the new 3.0 and 4.0 Free Flyknit models
would make for interesting reviews. Soon, soon.
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