Combining a hand-woven upper with Nike Free natural motion, this shoe brings footwear craftsmanship to a new level. Designed to mimic the natural biomechanics of the foot, the Nike Free Inneva Woven is defined by its premium crafted details: a hand-woven upper, dynamic lacing system and natural motion.
An intricate 360-degree hand-woven system interconnects laces with the nylon webbing to create a complex pattern that cradles the upper precisely to the foot. Taking inspiration from Nike running technologies, the natural motion midsole and outsole is flexible and comfortable. The Nike Free Inneva Woven launches globally in limited quantities on Saturday, September 22.
Well Nike is jumping deeper into the
barefoot market with the launch of the Nike Free Gym. The Nike Free Gym is a
women's barefoot shoe that they are marketing towards yoga. The design of the
shoe looks like they borrowed a lot of ideas from other barefoot shoes.
Below is what the Nike site has to
say about the Nike Free Gym:
The super-lightweight Nike Free Gym
Women's Training Shoe delivers a barefoot-like experience plus cushioning and
traction to help you move naturally and comfortably in any direction.
Benefits
·Split-toe design allows for a natural grip and better
balance ·Deep outsole flex grooves for a barefoot feel with traction ·Strap engages the full arch, providing the right fit for you ·Shoe lining made of natural fibers derived from volcanic
rock to absorb sweat and odor
Design - The Nike Free Gym Shoe has a minimal, no-sew upper that
eliminates stitching, allowing for enhanced flexibility and comfort.
Strategically placed mesh provides ventilation while synthetic material at the
forefoot and midfoot provide support. For a perfect fit, an arch strap wraps up
from underneath the foot and attaches to the outside with an adjustable
hook-and-loop closure.
Cushioning - Soft, cushy memory-foam heel pods accommodate a variety
of heel widths for comfort when not wearing socks. And, a molded sockliner
conforms to the foot for added comfort and support.
Traction - This unique shoe helps prevent slippage inside and out. A
traction pattern inside--under the foot and big toe--reduces slip for excellent
grip when worn without socks. The rubber outsole has a herringbone pattern for
durability and multidirectional traction.
I Must say I like where Nike is
going and I love to see the big brands producing barefoot shoes. I like how
some people have called the new Nike Free Gym a performance slipper, I think
that's a good name and there are alot of other barefoot running shoes that fit
well within that description aswell, I'm thinking of Soft Star shoes off the
top of my head.
The Shoes look like they are a true
barefoot shoes, they are very light, weighing in at under 5oz. The toe box
looks wide with the spilt toe giving your toes more freedom. It doesn't look
like they are zero drop, but look close.
Here is the big question! Is Nike
embracing the barefoot movement or saying Minimal is better, still buy Nike. I
think it's the second.
I'll look for a female reader to
review a pair, Happy Running.
Here's a interesting article I found online I wanted to pass along.
Next time you happen upon a 5- or 10-K race happening in your area, have a look at the runner’s feet. Chances are you’ll see a few folks wearing shoes that look more like socks, and even a few sporting bare feet. What’s this all about?
The barefoot and minimalist running movements are gathering steam in North America and around the world. Their message is simple; human beings were meant to run barefoot; high-tech cushioned running shoes are excessive and we should be weaned off our dependance on them.
Strengthening the barefoot case are new scientific studies emerging from places like Harvard University, a postive article in the New York Times, and minimalist-friendly products being launched like the Nike Free Series and the New Balance Minimus line.
Barefoot advocates encourage runners new to minimalism to reduce their use of conventional running shoes gradually and to adopt a more joint-friendly gait while running. Running in cushioned shoes allows an athlete to strike the ground with their heel first, as opposed to the mid- or front-foot strikes that occur naturally when running sans footwear. This, they put forward, adds up to better form, less injuries, and ultimately higher levels of fitness and agility. Nike free's are in between.
Want to give barefoot a go? Start with a few low-mileage runs and progress slowly, using your body’s indications as guide. More information about transitioning to barefoot running can be found at runbare.com
The Nike Free Run+2 City Pack is the latest line of exclusive releases from Nike’s performance sector. Five different cities are represented, each with their own particular running club.
The cities includes New York City, London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Rio de Janeiro. Each colorway is based on a particular iconic color from each respective city. “Deep Burgundy represents China, Pine Green captures Rio de Janeiro’s grit and flair, Anthracite’s starkness is quintessentially New York, Black channels Tokyo street style, while London’s version of the Free Run+ 2 arrives in a gentlemanly Khaki.” The Nike Free Run+2 is one of Nike’s latest running offerings in the realm of less cushioned and less supportive footwear that continues on with the original Nike Free technology.
This review or should it be called a rant, was posted by a reader, I love to share your thoughts so keep them coming. S/he didn't leave their name,,,
But the shoe I love love loved was the Nike Free Sparq Trainer. They are the best shoe I have found for running (until someday when I work up the determination to adapt to running in Vibrams again). And they are amazing just to walk in, which is at least as important to me as a running shoe since I do a lot more walking than running.
It seems like you all are rather dismissive of flexibility at this site. That is my favorite thing about minimalist shoes: the side to side, front to back all around flexibility. My legs really feel so much more alive, all the way up to my thighs, from wearing them. And I don't feel like my foot is in a cast, which is how 99% of today's shoes feel (was it always that way?). I don't mind a bit of cushioning when I'm on my feet all day (but I absolutely hate "support"). Just make the cushioning even, shoe designers.
Vibrams are a great idea in some respects, but for walking around in the winter or walking on hot asphalt in the summer, they suck.
I run naturally on my forefoot anyway, but I resent the extra cushioned heels that often make it impossible to run on your forefoot. The Nike Free Sparq trainers definitely had more heel cushioning that I want or need, but at least it wasn't enough to ruin them for me since the heels do not affect my foot strike.
So what did Nike do? They discontinued the Sparqs almost immediately, and the successor Nike Free Trainers have become more and more like standard Nike foot casts. Not only that, they are making them too narrow like the other "free" shoes (the Sparq trainers were the perfect width for me). I refuse to buy them.
Does it just seem like there must be someone evil at Nike trying to squelch any sort of innovation or good shoes? Or are they stupid? I think if you go to their website and try to find your way in, you will realize they are stupid, stupid, stupid. The website is like a Polish joke (or an Irish joke, or Italian joke, or whoever they make fun of for being stupid in your neck of the woods). But I haven't ruled out evil. They are not mutually exclusive (e.g. Sarah Palin, the Tea Party)
Well You all know my stand that the # 1 minimalistic shoe is the Vibram Five Fingers, but know the big question what is the #2.
There is alot of buzz recently about the Reebok Realflex and there place in this market, and are they better then the Nike Free's?
Comfort
The Nike Free's are extremely comfortable and flexible with a nice upper. The original Free Run is a bit more restrictive, but still nice and comfy.
The Reebok Realflex are flexible like the Free's and provide a nice feeling when running, but when comparing the two I give the point to Nike for the sock like upper that gives it the edge of the Realfex.
CUSHIONING
Now if you win this catorgy I don't know if it's a good thing, if your going for that Barefoot feeling you don't want alot of cushioning. But if you compare the two shoes the Reebok Realflex wins (loses) for Cushioning.
Who's more natural?
Reebok did a great job in making the Realflex very flexible and that say that their sensor platforms give you that natural feeling, when I was wearing them I have to differ, I felt like I was floating more then feeling the ground. The Nike Free's are not a "natural" as they could be but they are alittle better.
Style
I consider Reebok running shoes to be more of a style/fashion thing, and the technical side of the shoes seems half-assed and gimmicky. So it takes the style points over the Free.
So to Sum this all up if your are looking for a Barefoot style shoe but you don't to go as natural as the Vibram Five Fingers the Nike Free's are my pick.
Back in 2005 Nike introduced the world to the Nike Free. The Nike Free has become the shoe that helped bridge the gap between barefoot running and traditional running shoes.
Nike introduced the Nike Free well before the Barefoot movement took off after the release of the Book Born To Run, that hit the best seller list in 2009.
In the book Born To Run, it talks about how alot of professional athletes and coaches are having their athletes train barefoot.
The Nike Free is a perfect shoe for a shoe company because it has some minimalist running shoe features but is still very mainstream.
Tradition running shoes allow you to run anyway you want without immediately feeling the effects, but running barefoot your body naturally improve your running gait and strengthens foot and legs muscles.
Nike says "The Nike Free is designed as your second best choice after running barefoot."
From Nike Site:
BAREFOOT-LIKE FIT WITH EXCELLENT SUPPORT
Taking a cue from the intricate workings of the bare foot, the Nike Free Run Running Shoe is designed to maximize the foot's natural range of motion while providing protection and cushioning for a smooth ride.
BENEFITS
Inner-sleeve for a snug fit and enhanced breathability Bonded synthetic overlays for super-strong, flexible support Fused Phylite midsole and outsole for an ultra-lightweight, resilient ride Deep flex grooves along the outsole for a natural range of motion and flexibility
FIT
Designed to keep the foot in place without restricting movement, the Nike Free Run+ 2 features bonded overlays for excellent support. Lightweight and flexible, these thin strips are attached to the mesh upper for a streamlined fit. The inner-sleeve provides a snug feel, yet it's dynamic enough to move with the natural motion of the foot.
CUSHIONING
Without sacrificing the feel of barefoot running, the Nike Free Run+ 2 delivers a plush, cushioned ride. Phylite material seamlessly fuses the midsole with the outsole, creating a one-piece design that's as resilient as it is durable. The molded sockiner mimics the curves of the foot for a comfortable, supportive fit.
FLEXIBILITY
Deep flex grooves along the outsole allow the foot to move naturally in multiple directions. The heel features a "Center of Pressure" design that provides additional cushioning on contact, maximizing overall flexibility.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Asymmetrical lacing system to help reduce pressure over the top ridge of the foot
Waffle lugs at the outsole for impact absorption and traction
Nike+ ready
Runnerword Says: The Free is not designed for everyday running; rather, it was built as a training tool to help strengthen your foot. That said, Nike made this version more stable by both removing some of the segmentation from the midsole and flaring it for a wider base of support. Thanks to the deep forefoot grooves, our lab tests found the shoe to be the most flexible in this guide. We recommend the Free for runners with normal to flat arches who want to strengthen their feet by doing strides on grass or by walking around the house in a superflexible shoe.
My Final Words:
To start off I would like to say that the Nike Free is a great shoe. If you are reading this to make up your mind between the Nike Free and the new Reebok Realflex I would say hands down buy the Nike Free. My reasoning behind that is that the Nike Free is closer to a barefoot style then the Reebok Realflex. Now if your reading this to compare the Nike Free to Vibram Five Fingers then I would say buy the Vibrams, but the Vibram Five Fingers are totally different from the Nike Free. The Vibram Five Fingers are a true Barefoot type shoe and the Nike Free does a good job at getting close. I own a pair of Nike Free's and I think you'd enjoy them aswell.
