Nike Free Trainer V7

Name: Nike Free Trainer v7 SKU:8846111
Uploaded: 2023-01-01
Description: The Nike Free Trainer V7 is marketed as a low-cost crosstraining shoe, but does it manage t

Editor rating: 7.8 / 10

User's rating: based on 6 user ratings

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By Steph Coelho

All Nike Shoes

Nike Free Trainer V7 Review Facts

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The Nike Free Trainer V7 is marketed as a low-cost crosstraining shoe, but does it manage to deliver? While the seventh edition of the men’s only shoe features some important updates, the consensus seems to be that the Free Trainer just isn’t versatile enough to be useful for most wearers. The minimalist shoe, with its lightweight construction and minimalist design, works best for simple HIIT workouts but not much else. In the detailed review below, you’ll find information on the Free’s numerous updates, as well as observations and comments from reviewers who tried the shoe themselves.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Comfortable fit
Flexible design
Very lightweight
Super breathable
Supportive fit

Cons

Runs small
Not as versatile as some wearers wanted it to be

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What are buyers saying?

Positive

These have a great flat bottom too them and work great for deadlifting and working out your legs. I absolutely love this shoe in the gym.
I am very happy with these shoes. They were made for training. My feet feel secure and have no unwanted movement; exactly what I was looking for.
These are like a wearing a sock. They have no tongue, so all you have to do is slip them right on. I think they are a little pricey for the material though.
These were wonderful once they were broken in. These are very basic trainers, not really for high intensity.
When I slipped these babies on, my feet wanted to take off. That is something I love in a shoe. They are very comfortable and I highly recommend.
These ran a little small but I think it is because there is no tongue; you have to sip it on. Once it is on though, it is really comfortable. I would suggest going a half size larger so you don't have to struggle getting it on.
These shoes are fly! They look great and work great for my mild workout schedule. They are cozy and fit like a glove. They fit true to size and you should buy all of them.
I am extremely picky with shoes but these are amazing. They have a great slip on style that fits snug like a sock. They are great for lifting and squatting. For me, they were true to fit.
These shoes are a burpee lovers dream. They grip and flatten with every movement. They are light and sleek and very comfortable.
These are very sock like on my feet and I love it. I have found these to be a go to for the gym.
These are very light and don't give me ankle fatigue. They breath well and work great as a daily gym shoe.
These worked ok with my warm up run and my toes were not cramped. The heels are nice and thick and comfy for squats and lifts.
I am on my feet all day and these do not give any pain or fatigue to my legs and knees. They are really stylish too. They have been very durable so far too.
I was happy that these fit true to size and were very comfortable.
These shoes were not bulky and didn't slip around when I was doing my cardio dancing. I would say they are the best trainer I have ever used.
I do aerobics and dance and these have proven to be the most lightweight and comfortable shoes I have ever used. I highly recommend them to anyone.
These look great on. I love that they are lightweight and very comfortable. These are my main everything shoes.
These are very light, which I like. However, they do not seem to have any grip so be careful; slippery when wet.
These feel like slippers but have a tennis-shoe functionality. These are very lightweight and very comfortable.
I needed a sturdier, flat shoe for my lifting and these have worked great. They have a nice toe box but allow my foot to lift a little comfortably when I lift. They grip right where I need them too as well.
These are a perfect cross-trainer. They are stable and comfortable and extremely light weight. For me, they run a little large.
I am a referee and these have become my favorite shoes to do everything in. I can work, run, lift, and just about anything else in these without them failing me. I feel like I am doing everything barefoot.

Negative

I thought these shoes were all right, except for the height; it was wierdl. Also, after I washed them, I couldn't realce them; they came out of the washer deformed. I blame this on the lack of tongue.
I was pleased with this shoe at first; I am a lifter and run daily. I like to tie my shoes tight and after a few months, these fell apart. I need shoes I can tie.
Although these looked nice, they gave be really bad blisters. They ran more narrow than usual too, which is annoying. I won’t be using them any more.
These shoes were a huge disappointment. They had no instep support and the no-tongue made it hard to keep a stable step. They were way too narrow and had no stretch to them.
I ordered these larger than normal and it did not work out. The toes were huge and the heel was too tight. I loved the color but that doesn't make a shoe comfy.
I was thoroughly enjoying this shoe untill the sole came out. Now, I can't wear them anymore without them rubbing. Also, the top lining has now disappeared; what a disappointment.
Why did they change the design completely? The other models are nothing like this and the slip on design is just weird. Not a good decision Nike. You should have named it something else, like crappy slip on shoe for around the house, aka: slippers. I wish I would have been warned.
These were the most unstable shoe I have ever worn. I am not sure why they call these free trainers, they are not like any other ones they have made.

7.8

Outsole

The outsole of the Nike Free Trainer features a new triangular pattern. This new design provides better flexibility and, of course, traction. The three-point triangular design of each tread allows for movement in all directions. The rubber sole provides good traction, suitable for most situations. The new outsole design also features new rubber pods, which are thicker than the rest of the sole for enhanced protection against wear.

Read also about running shoes white.

Midsole

The seventh edition of the Free Trainer features full-length foam cushioning. The cushioning is lightweight, which reviewers appreciated. For crosstraining, however, it doesn't necessarily deliver. For weightlifting purposes, the midsole feels too soft and just doesn't provide the necessary amount of stability needed for this type of exercise. For running, there's not enough midsole material to properly cushion wearers. For short, intense bursts of activity like with HIIT or plyometric workouts, the midsole works just fine.

Upper

The V7's upper features an all-new slip-on design. The tongue is attached and the shoe is meant to fit like a glove. New 3D printed mesh covers the upper and Flywire technology has been added for support. The upper mesh is incredibly lightweight and reviewers loved the comfortable fit of the Nike Trainer. Users also appreciated the flexible design and super breathable 3D mesh. One issue reviewers had, however, was that the fit was very small. Sizing up will likely be necessary for most wearers.

While the V7 does provide a more supportive fit than previous versions of the shoe, wearers pointed out that the shoe's upper simply doesn't provide enough lateral support for sports or activities with lots of side to side movement.

Weight

The men's Nike Free Trainer is incredibly lightweight. Reviewers loved the featherlight construction of the V7. The shoe weighs about 9.75 ounces. The lightweight design works well for quick HIIT-type workouts.

Breathability

Reviewers agreed that the V7's upper was extremely breathable. The new 3D printed mesh is lighter in weight and provides excellent air circulation. Reviewers did note, however, that the fit of the shoe was quite tight. When sizing up, though, the shoe fits perfectly.

Comfort

According to reviewers, the V7 features a comfortable fit and breathable design. Users also loved how flexible the Free shoe was and that it was very lightweight. The shoe, however, lacks appropriate cushioning for running and doesn't fit true to size. Most wearers found going up a size was necessary to get the right fit.

Style

The Free Trainer features a simple aesthetic and a minimalist design. The men's shoe is available in several colorways. Reviewers liked the classic, Free style of the Nike shoe.

Durability

While reviewers were disappointed in the Free Trainer's versatility, there were few complaints about durability. Overall, the V7 is a resistant trainer that won't break down prematurely. The new outsole design features thicker pods for increased durability and the 3D mesh upper is lightweight but resistant.

Protection

The minimalist V7 isn't a very protective shoe. The new triangular-patterned outsole design features enhanced traction but even with full-length foam cushioning, the Free doesn't deliver enough padding for activities like running. For weightlifting, the cushioning is too soft to protect wearers from instability and poor form.

Responsiveness

The Nike Free shoe provides an average amount of responsiveness.

Support

While the new Flywire upper construction is intended to deliver improved support, comments from reviewers show that these new elements simply don't deliver. Reviewers complained that the V7 lacked lateral support, which is important for crosstraining activities that require a lot of side to side movement. Even with a snug upper fit, the shoe doesn't provide enough side support for wearers.

Terrain

While the new outsole features better traction and is more durable than before, it's really meant to be used indoors and only minimally in outdoor situations. Thankfully, the rubber sole grips most surfaces, but outdoor training might cause premature wear.

Price

The shoe features a fair price tag and reviewers didn't feel like they were overpaying for the Free. However, the lack of versatility does decrease value somewhat. Billed as a crosstraining shoe, the Nike Free Trainer V7 doesn't work for a lot of activities. Its cushioning is too soft for lifting and not ample enough for running. For activities that require lateral support, the shoe doesn't deliver either. If your crosstraining consists mostly of walking or HIIT workouts, though, the Free V7 is a good buy.

Traction

The new outsole design features a new tread pattern made up of tiny flexible triangles that provide a combination of flexibility and traction. Reviewers agreed that the Free offered a good amount of traction on a variety of surfaces.

Flexibility

The Nike Free Trainer is ultra flexible thanks to a brand new outsole design. The new sole is made up of a bunch of tiny triangles. The three-point tread design means that the shoe can move easily in all directions so no stiff or rigid sensations are to be had with the V7. Reviewers loved the flexible design of the Nike V7.

Stability

As mentioned, the V7 isn't as supportive as wearers wanted it to be. The new Flywire upper construction does provide additional support, but the system offers poor lateral support. For crosstraining, lateral support is quite important. Reviewers also noted that the midsole cushioning, although soft and comfortable, did not provide adequate stability for lifting purposes.

Drop

The Nike Trainer features a fairly low 5mm drop. While this low to the ground design is meant to help with stability and work for activities like weightlifting, the shoe's cushioning is too soft to be suitable for lifting. The drop is also intended to increase stability for running, but the midsole lacks a decent amount of cushioning for runners.

Key Features

- Men's only design
- 5mm drop
- Neutral
- NEW triangular lugs add flexibility and traction
- NEW resistant outsole pod design
- NEW full-length midsole foam
- NEW slip-on design with sewn in tongue
- NEW 3D printed mesh
- NEW Flywire upper construction for support
- Rubber outsole
- Lightweight upper mesh

Bottom Line

The Free Trainer is unfortunately not the most versatile cross trainer available for a few reasons. The upper doesn't provide nearly enough lateral support, making it a poor choice for cross-training activities that involve a lot of side to side movement. The V7 is also inadequate for weight-lifting. The midsole cushioning is comfortable but too soft to be supportive and stable. For running, there's simply not enough of the foam material.

The Nike Free Trainer V7 is best for those whose preferred cross-training activity is HIIT. The flexible, lightweight V7 is built for quick workouts of this kind. A comfortable fit and grippy outsole, work well for high-intensity interval training. As things heat up during a super sweat-sesh, the ultra-breathable upper comes to the rescue to air things out. Although it lacks versatility, it's still durable and features an attractive minimalist design.

For runners who want a dedicated cross training shoe, for quick HIIT sessions on off-days, the Nike V7 is a great update and decent option.