Has anyone tried or seen the new Nike Free shoes which are supposed to simulate running barefoot? I like the concept but for $80+ I was wondering of they really live up to the hype. They have a webpage on their shoes at www.nike.com/free Since barefoot running has been discussed on this site as an option for tempo running it seems that these shoes (if worth it) might be a good alternative for those who do not have access to safe and quality grass fields. Any other toughts appreciated.
I suggest you do a search using Nike Free as topic there have been at least 2 threads so far about them.
I have a pair, love em. However, i did not pay for them. That is what is great about working with pro athletes, they all have shoe contracts. For $100, they are probably one of the best pair of all around training shoes I have used.
Downside, other than price, they have very poor traction. They also have absolutely no support, just cushion. I don’t run in them much for that purpose, do all of my agility, weights, and plyo’s in them.
do all of my agility, weights, and plyo’s in them
You do weights and agility drills in a shoe with no lateral stability?
I would be careful of that.
Shoes for Change Of Direction sports are designed differently from running shoes for a reason.
They may be ok for plyos.
I would do it barefoot if I could. Something about health code, I don’t know. This is just as good.
I should restate agility, I do ladder and cone drills in the gym on rubber floor in these shoes, no field work due to traction issues.
Doing agility drills and weights barefoot or without support is great for strengthening the ankle and foot. If the shoe is supporting everything, the support tissues (muscle, tendons, ligaments, etc.) do not have to work as much. They begin to depend on the shoe to do their work. Going without works those structures, and in turn they become stronger (what a concept).
Be careful doing extra work barefoot.
I am a sports Podiatrist in Australia and an advocate of having strong feet. But you should work up to having strong feet…
Start very slowly with partial weight bearing drills and progress to weght bearing exercises and eventually to running.
Whenever I am trying to rehab an injury of a client of mine I use this structure of foot strengthening exercises in a protocol that I have designed for running.
There was another thread on this topic a while ago…But i’ll add to this one too 
Nike Free’s are great as a warm up trainer (strides/drills etc) I used them with great success over the indoor period.
They are great for tempo runs on the grass too. As are the Mayflys…until they get wet! Those with a pair will know what i mean.
I too would support the fact that they aren’t great for everything. I used to do my plyos in them but they offer little to no support or shock absorbtion. I do my plyo jumps in my Shox as they feel alot comfortable when landing. I didn’t like the movement I got on bends either…but all in all, Free’s get a thumbs up from me.