I’ve been wearing Nike Frees for the last few years. I’ve had Nike Free, Nike Free+2 and recently, bought a pair of the Nike Free+3. I’ve had no problems with the first two versions — they felt comfortable from the start and barely need a break-in period. I liked them because of the wide toe box and the sock like fit. But sadly, the Nike Free+3 is a revamped version of the original and many reviews have said that it is tighter around the toe box area.
Against some reservations around the new design, I bought a pair and it is definitely more snug around the toe box. The older versions did not have a separate tongue but this one introduced the tongue, which I don’t like as it keeps shifting to the side. I took it out for a short walk and it was ok. I spend some time breaking it in for a week and while I do like the new sole (which seems firmer than the older models that wore out quickly), the shoe hurt my arch.
After a 3 mile run, I got two blisters, one per foot, right around the inner edge of my feet and that wasn’t fun. I took a week off and then tried it with 1-2 mile walk/runs on the treadmill and it seemed ok. Then I took it out for a run on the road again and felt the blisters come back. It’s just slightly tighter than the older model around the toe box because after my blisters healed, I took the old Pinkies for a 5 miler and that was great – it was a comfortable and fun run and I didn’t have to limp back.
It’s still new (still in that first 30 days) so I’m hoping that it can be further broken into and “widen” up. I would be disappointed to know I spent $100 on a shoe that ends up hurting my feet more than helping my run. I need to retire the black ones soon (as much as I don’t want to because that pair is super comfortable) because the heel is so worn away that it affects my posture.
I’m hoping to use the new shoes for a race in Sept but let’s see how they feel in another month. I wish there was a Road Runners Sports store in NYC because they are the only running store that lets you return your running shoe within 90 days, even if you have worn it before — no questions asked! (Granted, you have to join their VIP club, which cost $2 the first year and $24.99 every year after that but they have good discounts for VIP members. The Frees would cost $70-80 instead of $100 if you are a VIP.) Looks like they have the Nike Free+2 on the Endangered list! It’s $83 and $75 if you are a VIP!!
I bought these at Sports Authority and if there were a policy where I can return the shoes despite having worn them a few times, I would totally return them right now. But since I can’t, I will just have to hope they get more comfortable over time (or that my blistered feet get so callused it wouldn’t matter anymore).