Nike Free RN NN

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Nike Free RN NN: Review

β€œA lightweight and flexible shoe for a natural road running experience.”

Overview


The Nike Free RN NN is a running shoe designed for those who seek a lightweight and flexible experience on the road. This shoe is known for its minimalistic design, aiming to provide a sensation akin to barefoot running.

Key Features:

  • Lightweight Construction: Weighing in at just 196g, the shoe offers an unencumbered run.
  • Adaptive Fit: The Flyknit (a type of fabric knitting technology for performance shoes) upper material provides a sock-like fit that adapts to the foot's shape.
  • Flexible Feel: The shoe's sole is designed to allow natural foot movement, promoting a fore/midfoot strike (when the ball of the foot makes initial contact with the ground).
  • Eco-Conscious Materials: Made with at least 13% Nike Grind material, it's a step towards sustainability.

The Nike Free RN NN is an ideal choice for runners who prioritize a natural and adaptive fit for their daily road runs. Its flexible sole offers a barefoot-like feel, making it suitable for short to moderate distances.

Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently just below the median price of running shoes today.

Verdict

The consensus on the Nike Free RN NN


The Nike Free RN NN has been well-received as a lightweight daily trainer that offers a 'barely there' feel. Its flexible nature and snug, sock-like fit provide comfort and a fresh feeling after runs. While it can handle some speedwork, it shines best at steady paces for short to moderate distances. The shoe's wide toe box and secure fit are notable, as is its ability to keep feet warm in cooler climates. However, its breathability is less impressive in warmer conditions, and it may not be the best choice for long-distance runs or those requiring a more responsive shoe. Overall, the Nike Free RN NN is a budget-friendly option for runners seeking a lightweight and flexible shoe for daily running, especially in cooler weather.

Nike Free RN NN: Base model


The Nike Free RN NN is a special version of the Nike Free RN, offering a unique combination of lightweight construction and flexibility. The differences between this and the base model include an updated Flyknit upper and the use of sustainable materials, such as Nike Grind, in the outsole.

Comparable Shoes


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For runners seeking a more responsive shoe for speedwork, the Brooks Levitate Stealthfit 6 is a worthy contender when compared to the Nike Free RN NN. It provides the responsiveness needed for faster paces.

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The Puma Magnify Nitro 2 offers more protective cushioning than the Nike Free RN NN, making it a better option for long-distance runners who require additional underfoot support.

6 Nike Free RN NN Pros & Cons


3 Pros

Feather-light and extremely flexible, providing a comfortable run.
Snug, sock-like fit with a wide and accommodating toe box.
Made with sustainable materials, contributing to eco-friendliness.

3 Cons

Breathability may be insufficient in warm weather conditions.
Not ideal for long-distance runs or dedicated speedwork.
Fit may be too broad for runners with narrow feet.

In Depth


Upper

The Nike Free RN NN's Flyknit upper is a standout feature, providing a soft, stretchy, and breathable fabric that maintains lightness and ventilation. This sock-like comfort is ideal for runners who appreciate a snug fit that moves naturally with the foot. However, it's worth noting that the upper may not be as breathable as some runners would like in hot weather, making it less suitable for warm climate runs.

Midsole

The midsole of the Nike Free RN NN is crafted from an ultra-light foam, offering a comfortable and responsive ride. The flexibility of the midsole is enhanced by laser-cut grooves, which allow for natural foot movement and a more efficient stride. This design is particularly beneficial for forefoot and midfoot strikers.

Outsole

The outsole of the Nike Free RN NN incorporates at least 13% Nike Grind material, showcasing Nike's commitment to sustainability. The outsole's design contributes to the shoe's overall flexibility and provides a natural running feel, which is a key characteristic of the Nike Free line.

Size/fit

With a wide toe box, the Nike Free RN NN caters to runners who need extra room for their toes to splay. This design feature is especially appreciated by those with wider feet, although runners with narrow feet might find the fit too loose.

Comfort

Runners have praised the Nike Free RN NN for its exceptional comfort, attributed to its feather-light weight and flexible construction. The shoe's ability to adapt to the foot's shape and provide a secure, sock-like fit enhances the overall comfort during runs.

Breathability

While the Flyknit upper offers some breathability, the Nike Free RN NN may not be the best option for hot weather runs. The shoe's upper can retain warmth, which is beneficial in cooler climates but might lead to overheating in warmer conditions.

Who should buy the Nike Free RN NN?


The Nike Free RN NN is well-suited for runners who enjoy a lightweight and agile shoe for their daily training. It's particularly recommended for those with a neutral pronation (when the foot does not roll too much in any direction) and a preference for a barefoot-like ride. The shoe's design also makes it a good fit for active individuals who engage in various fitness activities beyond running.

Who should not buy the Nike Free RN NN?


Runners looking for a shoe with excellent breathability for hot weather may want to explore other options. Those requiring a shoe for long-distance runs or with a need for more responsive cushioning for speedwork should consider alternative models. Additionally, runners with narrow feet or those who need extra support for overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot) might find the Nike Free RN NN unsuitable.

Nike Free RN NN: What's it good for?


The Nike Free RN NN is particularly good for short to moderate road runs where a natural, flexible feel is desired. It's also suitable for runners who prefer a lightweight shoe with a wide toe box for daily training. The shoe's design allows for a variety of fitness activities, making it a versatile choice for those who cross-train.

4 Nike Free RN NN FAQs


Is the Nike Free RN NN suitable for long-distance running?

The Nike Free RN NN is designed for short to moderate distances. For long-distance running, a shoe with more protective cushioning, such as the Puma Magnify Nitro 2, might be a better choice.

Can the Nike Free RN NN be used for activities other than running?

Yes, the Nike Free RN NN's flexible and lightweight design makes it suitable for a variety of fitness activities beyond running, including gym workouts.

Is the Nike Free RN NN environmentally friendly?

The Nike Free RN NN is made with at least 13% Nike Grind material, which is formed by waste from the footwear manufacturing process, making it a more sustainable choice within the Nike running catalog.

Does the Nike Free RN NN offer a wide toe box?

Yes, the Nike Free RN NN features a wide toe box, providing ample room for toe splay and accommodating runners with wider feet.

Nike Free RN NN alternatives

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Nike Free RN NN
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released
Released
Jan 2024
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Expert Review Score
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Weight
Weight
196 g
M: 218 g
W: 150 g
M: 264 g
W: 224 g
M: 315 g
W: 252 g
275 g
M: 269 g
W: 232 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
19 mm
24 mm
M: 26 mm
W: 15 mm
25 mm
38 mm
26 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
7 mm
6 mm
8 mm
5 mm
6 mm
10 mm
Heel
Heel
26 mm
30 mm
M: 34 mm
W: 23 mm
30 mm
32 mm
36 mm
Usages
Usages
Daily running
Daily runningSpeed trainingDaily runningDaily runningDaily runningSpeed trainingDaily running
Brand
Brand
Nike
New BalanceASICSHokaSkechersPUMA
Strike Type
Strike Type
Fore/Midfoot strike
Fore/Midfoot strikeFore/Midfoot strikeFore/Midfoot strikeFore/Midfoot strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strike
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
Lightweight
BreathableLightweightComfortableBreathableComfortableBreathableComfortableMaximalistBreathableComfortableMaximalist
Rocker
Rocker
Adidas
Adidas
Techs
Techs
PUMA NITRO
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
Sustainable
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Nike Free RN NN characteristics and specifications

Specificationsvs Average
Model
NN
Measurements
Weight
196 g
Heel to toe drop
7 mm
Heel
26 mm
Forefoot
19 mm

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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Sync your parkrun results to your Strava activities
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Tom Green
April 26, 2024 at 9:55 AM
Gunnersbury parkrun #230 (my #3️⃣4️⃣)
πŸ“Š Stats | Powered by geerly.com πŸ‘Ÿ πŸ•’ Official time: 00:22:45 | Course PB 🚨 🏁 Overall position: 35/549 🚹 Gender position: 21/299 🎯 Age grade: 61%