I thought I found the perfect atheletic shoes — for walking, running, and more importantly, for doing wushu and tai chi. The Nike Free. When it first came out, I brought a pair online from Finish Line. It was great. I was happy. Until about a month and half later…
The mesh material started tearing from the heel, on both shoes. Since it happened at about the same time, and on both feet, I am pretty sure that it is not damaged by me hitting something. (Especially not on the heel)! Examining the tear, it is obvious that the glued attachment at that point is not very strong.
I emailed customer service, and they told me that if I think it’s a manufacturer defect, I can bring it back to the physical store and exchange them within 90 days. I took them back to the store, and they were nice about it — exchanging them for a new pair. However –
They said the reason for the tear is that I must have stepped on the heel to take the shoes off, which I do sometimes. They said Nike actually will not take the shoes back from the store because they do not believe that is normal wear and tear. The store must have gotten a lot of return/exchange requests, they said now they tell the customers not to step on the heel to remove the shoes when they buy them.
What do you think? The shoes are great. You can even use the Nike iD system to customize a pair for yourself. But for $105 a pair, would you think you need to remember to not step on the heel when removing the shoes?
28 responses so far ↓
1 douglas // Aug 8, 2005 at 2:05 pm
I had exactly the same problem. I bought a pair on holiday in Amsterdam last week, two days later the mesh detatched from the mid sole. I definetley did not stand on the heel, I only wore them twice. Even if I had there is absolutely no warning on the packaging and the sales assistant said nothing.
The flaw is in the design, frankly it is impossible to remove the shoes without applying pressure on the defective seam somehow, either by standing on them or pulling on them, not a recipe for a successful running shoe!
My problem is that I live in Scotland and can’t return them to the shop so I would be grateful if you could post the email address for customer service.
I have to say in their defence they are excellent shoes!
2 Brian Harvey // Aug 14, 2005 at 12:14 am
The same thing happened to me with a pair I bought while on holiday at Vichy, in France. We returned to Vichy 2 weeks ago, so I showed them to the shop owner. He offered to replace them.
I’ve been wearing the second pair for 2 weeks now, and guess what! The same thing as happened with yours is happening again to my second pair. (And I DO NOT step on the heels to remove mine.)
In my opinion, it’s a manufacturing defect. The shoes have a weak point at the heel where the nylon mesh meets the clear plastic base. The mesh starts tearing, and once it starts it rapidly tears all along the back of the shoe. It’s a great pity, because apart from that, they’re the best shoes I’ve ever worn for walking.
P.S. Does anybody know an email address for Nike Europe customer service? I’d like to find out their reaction to this problem.
3 Jason // Sep 12, 2005 at 3:27 am
yep me too. Ive just had then 3 weeks and noticed the tearing where the mesh meets the sole yesterday!. i will be taking them back for sure. let you know how i go. the athletes foot shoe shop i go to are really great and really hands on with nike so if i get any feedback ill pass it on.
jason
4 Noah Walker // Sep 30, 2005 at 7:09 pm
My heels ripped too. Though, after about 2-1/2 months. I am now on my 2nd pair since i love them so much. I’m hoping that this problem will be fixed with the free 4.0. I see that they are available now outside the USA.
5 DaveHimself // Oct 17, 2005 at 8:49 am
Mine are ripped as well. After 2 months of casual wear. These will be the first and last pair of Nike I will ever buy. Unless they make good on my request for a replacement or exchange. I am so pissed. I have 3 Asics I still wear. And 5 year old Adidas.
6 Martijn // Oct 18, 2005 at 3:18 am
Same here, mine ripped (left shoe) after 4 months of casual wear. I just started to do my warmup (I’m a runner) in them last month. I didn’t step on the heel to take them of and yet it ripped yesterday. The store was kind enough to give me a new pair today, but when I got home I noticed that the 5.0 inlay/sole thing was defective, one of the cushioning pads was glued on totally wrong… Jeez, Nike isn’t proving to be a very reliable manufacturer in my book…
7 Reed // Oct 29, 2005 at 12:25 pm
Both of mine ripped from the soles the same day after 3 months of casual wear. I did not have my receipt and Finish Line gave me a hard time but finally agreed to replace them. I think all the defective pairs came from Finish Line because they were the first retailer to carry them at least in our area. The replacement pair had a defective upper with the material buckled and now I am waited for my third pair. I still love the way the shoes feel and the new black ones don’t look so bad either.
8 B K // Nov 1, 2005 at 8:02 pm
Although I’ve owned the shoes for a few months I only started wearing them regularly a few weeks ago. I treated them right, never pulling them off by the heel, even cleaned them regularly and pulled little rocks out of the sole. Yesterday I found the dreaded heel rip. After searching on the internet I see that many people are having the same problem. The shoes are very comfortable but come on, this is really lame for a pair of sneakers that cost $80+. Even the canvas on my crappy Converse All-Stars (also owned by Nike) didn’t rip in the heel until after at least six months of heavy abuse. I’m going to see if Nike will give me credit for another pair and if not this is the last time buy a pair of their shoes.
9 Ang // Nov 7, 2005 at 8:20 pm
Same here. Not only did both heels tear on the shoes, but one trip caused the side and front of the shoe to tear also! A truly delicate shoe. Loved them but won’t buy again.
10 Mark // Nov 12, 2005 at 11:44 am
It’s extremely common. The sad part is that a running shoe company like Nike let this fatal design flaw on a flagship product get all the way through the design and testing process and ultimately reach the consumer. Whether or not the heel mesh is a structural component of the shoe, which it seems not to be, their design team should have caught it early on. They know full well the forces applied when running. I’ve returned shoes twice for this problem, and now the third pair is ripped as well, and I’m very very careful when putting them on and taking them off. We all know that cosmetics are very important in the products we buy. And, one other big problem I’ve found is that if when you run off road, and the mesh is ripped out, tiny rocks and pebbles find their way inside, and we all know what that means. This product had a lot of promise. Too bad they botched it from the start.
11 Nicholas // Nov 14, 2005 at 4:02 pm
I had the same problem with my first pair of Nike Free’s. I ended up getting another pair of Free’s and a pair of Nike Free Trainer’s. I haven’t had the problem since, but I’ve been delicate with my new pair of Nike Free’s. The Nike Trainer’s are much more durable.
I also heard that Nike was fixing the problem with the Free’s.
12 Dan // Dec 6, 2005 at 4:08 pm
Same heel rip problem…I bought 2 pairs I loved ‘em so much, and both pairs ripped around the same time, at the same place. Exchanged one pair at Footlocker, and the other pair is in limbo at Nike returns…once this gets handled, we may well be on our way to the ultimate comfort shoe!
13 Michael // Dec 12, 2005 at 9:03 pm
I bought a pair too, and have the same problem as the rest of you. But, it would be a good idea if everyone who bought a pair (which is everyone that has the same problem) to email Nike and inform that it is not a manufacturing flaw, but a design flaw, as the material at the heel is very thin and the way they glue it to the plastic part at the bottom of the shoe is flawed. It was obvious from day one that that area was going to be problematic, but of course they were comfortable, so I bought them. Nike realizes this, and should, not recall them, but at least provide replacements for all customers who bought them.
14 Blog From the Loft » Blog Archive » Nike Free Defective — Pictures // Dec 18, 2005 at 8:29 pm
[...] have the sample problem, please do the same ! Read my original post and lots of comments here. [...]
15 Alex // Dec 19, 2005 at 1:46 pm
Hey,
Just FYI according to Nike (live chat) they have fixed the heel tear problem (happened on mine too) with the more recent production run by re-enforcing the heel. Of course the lady also said that it looks the same, so I have no idea how you can tell if you are buying a newer one or not….
I sent my torn ones back to Nike and ordered a new pair from Niketown with the voucher they gave me.. hopefully the new pair will be tougher…
Happy Hollerdays.
16 Robyn // Dec 20, 2005 at 8:00 am
In Nikes defense you are only suppose to train in these once a weeek for 20 mins as per their instructions.
So for the most part they should never undergo a lot of usage.
I just got my FREE shoes two weeks ago and have yet to run in them, but my friend has had hers, just for running, for over a yera now with no problems.
We shall see.
17 Frank // Jan 9, 2006 at 11:21 am
I’m now on my 4th pair of nike frees. I LOVE the shoes, too bad the mesh rips. Luckily enough, finishline keeps taking them back.
as for the heel…it’s not just the glue i don’t think. I have been EXTRA careful when removing them and now it seems to me like the mesh itself starts to fray. I run about 4 miles a day on average and it happens to me about once every 2 months
18 Andrew // Jan 28, 2006 at 2:57 am
I agree with Michael, it is clearly a design flaw. I tried the shoe on a treadmill at the local running store last year and loved the shoe, but, as an engineer, I could see right there before I read anything about it on the internet that it would be a problem. Nike pissed me off 2 or 3 years ago when my Air Tupu trail runners ripped 2 inch long tears in the forefoot on both left and right shoes after about 10 runs… and then they rejected my warranty claim! Bastards!!!
19 Huy // Jan 30, 2006 at 11:58 pm
i was just wondering if you guys know if the Trainer free 5.0 would have the same problem?? because the fabric part for the trainer is smaller…thanks
20 Martin // Feb 23, 2006 at 8:54 am
I bought a pair in New York, after 3 weeks the mesh ripped. I sent the shoes back to Super Runners in NYC who were happy to replace them. The only problem was that as I live in London I became liable for the VAT and had to pay to pay the tax, costing about an additional £25. I had the replacement shoes for 2 weeks and as before only wore them to the gym.
The exact same fault has happened again and I now regret my purchase, basically they’re gimmicky shoes that aren’t really up to the purpose they were intended for.
21 Tyler // Mar 7, 2006 at 5:55 pm
I have had my shoes for about a week, and after doing some vertical leaps, the side mesh ripped, right where the vents open up when you walk. A wonderful shoe, just be delicate with them. Hopefully the nike store will take them back. Again, great shoe, very comfy, just be carfull.
22 Todd Katz // Mar 12, 2006 at 10:50 am
What can I say? I’ve had the same problem twice and I don’t run in these shoes, nor do I wear them often or rigorously.
Contrary to a previous suggestion I think pulling the shoe on by the strap in the back of the shoe causes the tearing. To me this is a manufacturer’s defect and it’s pretty unfortunate that the stores have to take the time and materials hit. I’m going to send these 2nd pair back to Nike direct (if I can find an address).
23 andrew // Mar 13, 2006 at 2:14 am
I bought Free, and i regret my decision.
Is there any news about this problem?
24 Alex // Mar 20, 2006 at 1:14 pm
Well My new Nike free’s did not rip in the heel… they ripped on the sides (right under the nike logo)
Argh.
The new heel design was a little more durable, the mesh isnt glued to a plastic cup, it is sewn to the same suede like fabric as the rest of the shoe. That held up just fine.
The shoes were great for 3 months, but then ripped on the side. I really do love the shoes, but I wish the would last longer than 3 months.
25 pk // Mar 20, 2006 at 1:24 pm
That’s “good”news, Alex — if the heel is holding up a little better. It’s time for me to pick up a new pair to see how long it will lasts.
26 Alex // Mar 31, 2006 at 9:57 am
PK,
Just make sure if you pick up a new pair they are the new heel design.. all the ones I’ve seen in regular shoestores look like the old ones. The pair I got was from niketown.com…. who is currently sold out of most sizes.Have you tried the free trainers for running? They do have those in my size, but they are kinda fugly and I imagine heavier and less breathable.
27 Zlatko // Apr 13, 2006 at 11:34 am
Mine ripped after 5 months of usage.
28 Nathan // Aug 25, 2006 at 10:58 am
Yeah they rip but who cares. It is cosmetic and does not affect the structural integrity of them. It is sad when people don’t realize that this may not be ok, it is just a mesh that is more there for show than anything. The shoe would still work fine even if this part that rips was taken out completely leaving just the band that holds the foot in place. The mesh may help keep sand out but that is it.
It looks bad! People feel they must exchange or refund them. Careful or your complaining will ruin what was a great shoe. i am looking now for a 4.0 and I cant seem to find them. Hope the whining didnt kill one of the few good and innovative products that Nike had.
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