Nike Free Run+

Barefoot Running Without Freaky Footwear

Reviewed by Steven Leckart  • April 15, 2010

Running barefoot may reduce your risk of injury, some say. But jogging in freaky rubber socks like the Vibram FiveFingers? Those just boost the chances of strangers heckling you as you prance by.

Why not take a a few steps in Nike's Free series? These are significantly cooler-looking sneakers that simulate barefoot conditions, which purportedly helps strengthen your feet, without putting your soles at the mercy of cut glass and other hazards.

Since the first model debuted in 2005, Nike has refined the Free design to great effect. For instance, the laces are positioned asymmetrically, which relieves pressure on the top of your foot, and the grooves in the sole are deeper and wider, which forces you to use your toes more. Nike+ has been incorporated into the Frees, meaning you can insert Nike's iPod-compatible sensor into a special groove in the sole to track your progress, count calories and gauge your workout.

We tested the midrange Nike Free Run+. The company's earlier models provide even less support (thus are even better at simulating barefoot experience), but unless you're already an experienced barefoot runner, the Free Run+ is a good place to start.

Your own experience will probably vary, but our feet took to these shoes in only a matter of days. They're incredibly lightweight and flexible, but provided more than enough cushion to keep our midfoot from getting sore. This example is entirely empirical, but it's worth noting: We occasionally experience shin splints, but didn't notice any pains during or after the half-dozen runs we logged in these shoes.

Perhaps wearing a "barefoot shoe" is, in and of itself, a constant reminder to reduce the heel-stomping. After all, you can't slam your heel down hard without a big wedge of rubber under it, so shoes like the Nike Frees force you more onto your midfoot and toes. Whatever the case, it worked for us.

WIRED Look like normal shoes (take note, Vibram). Bag-friendly: They're not only lightweight, but also pack small. Tongue is integrated into body of the shoe, which speeds lace-up time.

TIRED Nike+ must be purchased separately ($30). White soles get dirtier than Kim Kardashian in a mud pit.

Review of the Puma Complete Ventis

1. How do you rate this product? (Required) 0.5 to 5.0 4.2 2. Please enter a title for your review. Great NEUTRAL-CONTROL shoe for a stable to mild-overpronating foot 3. Please enter your review. Great shoe overall. This is Puma's Moderate Cushion, Minimal Support Trainer. New to Puma's "Complete" line, it's packed with cushioning with their new idCELL and DuoCELL cushioning system in the heel and forefoot and KMS Lite foam to fill out the rest of the midsole. In the mid-foot, there is an ARCHTEC torsional-stability device that does a great job stabilizing my arch, while making the heel to forefoot transition a lot more smooth. The Ventis is a little on the bulky side, but not necessarily heavy. I was especially surprised by the amount of support this NEUTRAL-CONTROL shoe has. I am a moderate over-pronator and, with the help of a mildly supportive insole, I am as neutral as neutral can get in this great debut model.

Please tell us more about yourself.

The information you provide here will help people understand how your review might apply to them 4. On average, how many miles or kilometers do you run each week? 15 miles 5. How much do you pronate? Moderate Over-pronator 6. What is your preferred width for you shoe's toe-box? D (Medium) 7. What is your preferred training shoe weight? 12-13 oz. 8. At what pace do you typically train? 5 min/mile to 15 min/mile 8 minute mile 9. How much do you weigh? 150 lbs. 10. How many years have you been running? 5 years 11. What is your gender? Male