Nike Free Shoe Review

It’s pretty tough to find a comfortable shoe for running or just walking around.  Most shoes are way to inflexible and heavy.  It is our belief that shoes must become lighter and more flexible so that you still have comfort and protection, but not with the feeling of wearing a box on your feet.  We have looked far and wide for shoes that do not weaken the ankle stabilizers and joint by not allowing the feet to move freely when walking and running.  That’s where the Nike Free shoe line comes into focus.

The Nike Free is an extremely comfortable shoe.  It is not a glove for your foot, like the Vibram Five Fingers.  if you are looking for something that pretty much is protective, but is basically like being barefoot, check out the Vibram review.  The Nike Free are more like traditional athletic shoes, but we would not call them traditional.  They are wonderfully comfortable, but their ability to allow the foot to flex with plantarflexion and dorsiflexion (your foots ability to move up and down in a full range of motion) makes this quite a step up from any other athletic shoe we have seen.

Look, all the research shows you don’t want to use your heel when you walk or run.  you want to land on the ball of your foot.  The thicker the sole of your shoe, the more likely you are to land on the heel, because it gives you a false sense of security with that thick padding.  But, heel strikes are bad for the ankles, bad for the knees and bad for the low back.  Thinner soled shoes like the Nike Free, allows you to move the foot more naturally as you land on the ball of your foot.  And because they are lightweight, they are wonderful for running or most athletic uses.

All of this relates to sprained ankles, because the less your feet and ankles have to move when you walk and run, the weaker your ankles will become over time.  The more they are challenged naturally, the stronger and more flexible they will become.  This boils down to a much lower risk of a sprained ankle then someone who wears a stiff, thick soled shoe.  So, whether you go with the Vibram’s or the Nike Free is a matter of choice, but we do recommend taking a serious look at both.  They are better for your feet and much better for your ankles.  Here is the link to learn more about the Nike Free Shoe.