Nike Free RN 2018

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96%
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Nike Free RN 2018: Review

β€œA lightweight, flexible shoe for daily road running.”

Overview


The Nike Free RN 2018 is a lightweight and flexible running shoe designed to provide a natural and barefoot-like feel for runners.

Key Features:

  • Natural Flexibility: The Free RN 2018 is built for a barefoot-like experience, allowing your feet to move naturally and flex with each stride.
  • Lightweight Design: It features a lightweight construction, making it an excellent choice for runners seeking agility and freedom of movement.
  • Minimalist Design: The shoe is designed with minimal cushioning and support, ideal for those who prefer a more minimalist and natural running experience.
  • Breathable Upper: The shoe's upper is constructed with breathable materials, ensuring proper ventilation and maintaining comfort during your runs.

The Nike Free RN 2018 is tailored for runners who prioritize a natural, flexible, and lightweight shoe that allows their feet to move freely and naturally, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a minimalist running experience.

According to our analysis of reviews from experts around the world, it averages a review score of 96%. This puts it in the highest rated 10% of comparable running shoes. According to our analysis of prices across the internet, at current rates it's just below the median price of running shoes.

Verdict

The consensus on the Nike Free RN 2018


The Nike Free RN 2018 is a solid choice for runners who prefer a lightweight and flexible shoe for their daily runs. The shoe's upper is made of a breathable material that provides a snug fit, while the midsole offers a natural feel and a barefoot-like sensation. The shoe performs well on road, sidewalk, or treadmill, and it is versatile enough to be worn with everyday outfits or packed for a quick change. However, the shoe lacks traction in slick conditions, which may be a drawback for some runners. Overall, the Nike Free RN 2018 offers a comfortable and responsive ride without leaving feet feeling tired after a long run.

Updates to Nike Free RN 2018


The Nike Free RN 2018 is an update to the Nike Free RN 2017. The shoe maintains the lightweight and flexible design of its predecessor, but it features a new upper made of a breathable material that provides a snug fit. The midsole also offers a natural feel and a barefoot-like sensation, similar to the previous model.

Comparable Shoes


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The Nike Free RN 2018 is often compared to the Nike Free RN 2017. Both shoes are part of the Nike Free RN line and share many of the same features, including the lightweight and flexible design, the breathable upper, and the natural-feeling midsole. However, the 2018 model features a new upper material that provides a more snug fit.

Special versions of Nike Free RN 2018


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The Nike Free RN Flyknit 2018 is a special version of the Nike Free RN 2018. It shares many of the same features as the standard model, including the lightweight and flexible design, the breathable upper, and the natural-feeling midsole. However, the Flyknit version features a Flyknit upper, which provides a more snug and secure fit.

6 Nike Free RN 2018 Pros & Cons


5 Pros

Lightweight and flexible design
Breathable upper material
Secure foot lock
Comfortable and responsive
Versatile for everyday use

1 Con

Lack of traction in slick conditions

In Depth


Upper

The upper of the Nike Free RN 2018 is made of a breathable knit material that provides a snug fit. This ensures that the shoe wraps around the foot securely, resulting in a comfortable run. The upper is also well ventilated, which helps to keep the foot cool during runs.

Midsole

The midsole of the Nike Free RN 2018 offers a natural feel and a barefoot-like sensation. This is due to the shoe's 8mm heel to toe drop, which provides a natural running experience. The midsole is also flexible, which allows for a greater range of motion during runs.

Outsole

The outsole of the Nike Free RN 2018 is designed to provide a natural feel and movement. However, it lacks traction in slick conditions, which may be a drawback for some runners. Despite this, the outsole performs well on road, sidewalk, or treadmill.

Size/fit

The Nike Free RN 2018 features a medium toe box, which provides a comfortable fit for most runners. The shoe is also available in a range of sizes, ensuring that most runners will be able to find a size that fits them well.

Comfort

The Nike Free RN 2018 is a comfortable shoe that does not leave feet feeling tired after a long run. The shoe's upper is made of a breathable material that provides a snug fit, while the midsole offers a natural feel and a barefoot-like sensation.

Who should buy the Nike Free RN 2018?


The Nike Free RN 2018 is ideal for runners who prefer a lightweight and flexible shoe for their daily runs. It is particularly suited for those who run on road terrain. The shoe is also a good choice for runners with a neutral pronation.

Who should not buy the Nike Free RN 2018?


The Nike Free RN 2018 may not be the best choice for runners who require a shoe with high traction, particularly in slick conditions. It may also not be suitable for those who prefer a shoe with a high level of cushioning.

Nike Free RN 2018: What's it good for?


The Nike Free RN 2018 is good for daily running on road terrain. It is also a good choice for runners who prefer a lightweight and flexible shoe.

4 Nike Free RN 2018 FAQs


Is the Nike Free RN 2018 suitable for long runs?

The Nike Free RN 2018 is a lightweight and flexible shoe that is designed for daily running. While it is comfortable and responsive, it may not provide enough cushioning for long runs.

Does the Nike Free RN 2018 have good traction?

The Nike Free RN 2018 performs well on road, sidewalk, or treadmill. However, it lacks traction in slick conditions.

What is the fit of the Nike Free RN 2018 like?

The Nike Free RN 2018 features a medium toe box, which provides a comfortable fit for most runners. The shoe is also available in a range of sizes.

What is the heel to toe drop of the Nike Free RN 2018?

The Nike Free RN 2018 has an 8mm heel to toe drop, which provides a natural running experience.

Nike Free RN 2018 alternatives

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Nike Free RN 2018
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Released
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Weight
Weight
M: 238 g
W: 198 g
M: 258 g
W: 227 g
M: 303 g
W: 261 g
283 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
13 mm
34 mm
31 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
8 mm
10 mm
10 mm
8 mm
9 mm
Heel
Heel
21 mm
39 mm
42 mm
40 mm
Brand
Brand
Nike
VivobarefootBrooksadidasASICSNike
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
Lightweight
BarefootLow dropMinimalistZero dropComfortableComfortableMaximalistComfortableMaximalistComfortableMaximalist
Orthotic friendly
Orthotic friendly
Removable insole
Removable insole
Rocker
Rocker
Carbon fiber plate
Carbon fiber plate
Techs
Techs
Brooks BioMoGo DNAadidas UltraboostASICS GelOrthoLite
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
SustainableVegan β“‹SustainableVegan β“‹
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Nike Free RN 2018: what the experts say (1 review)

Nike Free RN 2018: 2 Expert video reviews

Nike Free RN 2018 characteristics and specifications

Characteristics
SportsRunning (+2048)
TerrainRoad (+1361)
UsagesDaily running (+1131)
BrandNike (+260)
Support TypeNeutral (+1602)
Pronation TypeNeutral pronation (+1577)
Strike TypeFore/Midfoot strike (+1113)Heel strike (+1096)
Arch TypeHigh arch (+1524)
Shoe TypeLightweight (+409)
FitMedium toe box (+853)
FeaturesBreathable (+752)
MaterialsKnit (+211)
Colorways002 Black Anthracite, Black / Orange / White, Black / White, Blue Force / White-green Abyss, Thunder Blue / Gunsmoke-obsidian, White / Black, Wolf Grey / White-white-volt
Specificationsvs Average
Model
2018
Released
Feb 2018
Measurements
Weight
M: 238 g
W: 198 g
Heel to toe drop
8 mm
Heel
21 mm
Forefoot
13 mm

Evolution of the Nike Free RN product family

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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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