Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit | Test & review

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Price comparison Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	5-7 dage		582 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		599 DKK	Til butik
	2-5 dage		675 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		797 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		926 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,050 DKK	Til butik

What you should notice about the Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit

Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit. It’s just one in a million. That’s what you could easily be tempted to say. Because there are probably very few people in this world who can give you the exact answer to the story of Nike Free running shoes right off the bat. I can’t give you the 100% accurate explanation. But I can safely say that the Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit is another running shoe in the series. So far so good.

If you’ve already looked at pictures, either here or elsewhere on the Internet, you probably have no doubt that the shoe doesn’t look like much. And you’re absolutely right. With the Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit, we’re talking about a very minimalist running shoe, if you can even call it a running shoe?
It is a running shoe, that is for sure. But when we talk about a minimalist running shoe like this Nike Free, in my world we are talking about a running shoe with limitations (for 95% of runners). Because if you are a barefoot runner and used to minimalist running shoes, you can run in this shoe, and probably also run long distances. But if you are a classic runner like the one you signed, I don’t think you can run much more than 5 km and max 10 km in this shoe. It is simply too special and too minimalist for that.

The very light construction and structure that the shoe contains results in the minimalist approach. But nevertheless, you should also note that the Nike Free concept has had very high sales figures for many years due to its abilities as sneakers/leisure shoes. Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit is no exception. It is light and comfortable. Very airy due to the lovely Flyknit upper. And it is comfortable to walk in. That makes it a good choice for a nice summer shoe or for the shoe at work where you walk and stand a lot.

Cool facts about the shoe

First run in Nike Free 3.0

The idea was of course to test the shoe in its true element, and under the right conditions. And by the right conditions, I mean that this is how I, as a runner, will use the Nike Free 3.0..
This means that my first trip, and not the rest of the trips, are much longer than a maximum of 8 km. I actually think that I have not yet been up to 10 km in the Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit. For the very simple reason that neither the body nor the feet can handle it on the undersigned. And unless you are really used to barefoot running and running in minimalist running shoes, I would not recommend you to get over 10 km in this shoe. And it does not matter whether you weigh 50 kg or 90 kg (as a man)

But back to my first impression of my Nike Free 3.0. There is no doubt that it is a shoe that follows the movements of your feet. In fact, it is just one of those thick home-knitted granny socks that you put on your feet. No, of course it is not, there is a little more comfort in the shoe, but it was more to draw a picture of how the shoe feels. There is no doubt that you are completely aware of where the surface is, and if there are stones or similar that are a little too big, you are also in no doubt where they are..
I was actually a bit curious about how they had solved the problem of there being no laces. It was actually a nice experience. The elastic upper, combined with the Flyknit that is placed in the Nike Free 3.0, gives a surprising hold on the foot, and thus also a surprising support.

Choosing a size in Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit

This is the type of shoe that can be tricky when it comes to sizing. But as a general rule, the Nike Free 3.0 is a good fit. Where it can be tricky is with the tight and very elastic upper. Even though the shoe has a slip-on, you still have to “struggle a bit” to get your foot into the shoe. This is natural, as a loose construction is not compatible with a shoe without laces. But if you are in doubt about your size, it is always a good idea to estimate based on the centimeter measurement. Look in a pair of your other shoes that you know fit, and then find the centimeter measurement in them. That way, you are always sure that the length fits. You can always experiment a little with half a size up if you want more air..
You are also very welcome to use our size guide

Advantages and disadvantages

Analysis Part 1: Who should run in Nike Free 3.0

What type of runner do you have to be to make sense of using Nike Free 3.0? Our analysis part 1 is based on shoes and running

Which running style

Neutral running style or more likely natural running. As mentioned before, there is no support or similar in this shoe. If you are going to run longer distances in the Nike Free 3.0, you have to be an “experienced” minimalist or barefoot runner if you ask me.

Fit

Due to the very flexible and elastic upper, you will find that the Nike Free 3.0 has a very tight fit. Fortunately, the airy and lightweight Flyknit upper helps you out a bit, so that it doesn’t feel VERY claustrophobic.

Surfaces and conditions

I would definitely recommend sticking to hard surfaces. And that’s for several reasons. Normally when a running shoe is recommended for hard surfaces, I usually don’t have the slightest objection to recommending it for forest paths and or gravel paths, if you stick to the paths. But with the Nike Free 3.0, the outsole and the contact with the ground are so close that I’d probably reconsider. At least you won’t have any doubts if you hit a larger rock lying on the chosen surfaces.

Price level

I think the shoe is super cool to wear. I’m a fan of the shoe as a summer sneaker. But I don’t primarily use it as a running shoe. And considering that, I think the 1,050,- is on the high end of the scale when we look at the price of Nike Free 3.0

What does the Nike Free 3.0 weigh?

It weighs no more than 199 grams. That’s one of its clear advantages. It’s a nice little lightweight we’re dealing with.

Drop height in Nike Free 3.0

Nike Free 3.0 has a drop height of only 4mm. This is basically for the forefoot or midfoot runner. But again, and now perhaps for the last time, I would like to state that if you are going to run longer runs in Nike Free 3.0, you should be used to this kind of running shoe. And by longer runs, I mean +8 km runs.

Drop heights:
Forefoot height: 13mm
Heel height: 17mm

Summary

I actually have 2 sides to the story on the Nike Free 3.0. One is that personally it’s not a running shoe for me. I’ve run short runs in it, in connection with testing it. So for good reason I can’t comment on how it’s like to run longer in it. I’m not used to that kind of running (barefoot) so I decided before the test that health came first after all. So it became a short-run test. Judging from these short runs, I can at least conclude that it’s not the weight that’s to blame for my perhaps lack of pace. But conversely, it’s not the shoe that wins the prize for making me feel comfortable either. That’s when I run simply too “fragile”
On the other hand, I can live with that fragility really well when I just have to walk in the shoe. For me, the Nike Free 3.0 will probably always end up being a good leisure shoe. But on the other hand, it is also both light, nice and very flexible. So the overall conclusion about the shoe must be that I cannot afford to complain. For me, it solved the situations I put it in just fine. And the other situations (longer runs) I chose not to, so the shoe should not be punished for that.

Price comparison

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	5-7 dage		582 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		599 DKK	Til butik
	2-5 dage		675 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		797 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		926 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,050 DKK	Til butik