Nike Free

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Nike Free is technology developed by Nike, Inc. and incorporated into some of their athletic shoes. Nike Free simulates barefoot running while wearing a shoe. This is believed to have many positive effects on training; running barefoot has been shown to strengthen muscles in the foot that would otherwise go untouched. This brings about better stride, better times, and a greater resistance to injury in not only the foot, but also the ankles, knees, and other joints. This is because a strengthed foot can better absorb impact.

However, as this shoe strengthens the muscles in the foot, runners are advised to gradually break into the shoe rather than immediately running long distances as to prevent muscle cramps and other discomforts. This is especially for amateurs as Nike Free shoes do not have as much cushion and shock absorbents as the traditional running shoes.

The way the shoes are constructed means that they are best used indoors (e.g. on a treadmill) rather than outdoors (e.g. road running) which is likely to accelerate its wear and tear.

In 2006 Nike released a new version of the shoe, the Nike Free V2, that addressed some of the durability issues in the earlier model. Among other changes, the heel and sidewalls of the shoe were redesigned to prevent tearing.

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