How Long Do Walking Shoes Last

How To Extend The Life Of Your Workout Shoes

Keep your new shoes in tip-top shape — and help them last longer.

Every sneaker is different, but these tips can help.

The right shoes are essential no matter what type of workout you do. If you invested in a new pair of sneakers this season and are getting ready to start your new fitness routine, you’ll want to keep your shoes looking and feeling great for as long as possible — especially if you spent $100-plus on your new kicks.

If you’re thinking about getting new shoes soon, sometimes it’s not obvious when you need to replace your shoes — especially if you’ve lost track of how long you’ve had them. Whether you’ve already purchased new shoes or you’re considering if you need to, we’ve consulted with two shoe pros and a cleaning pro to get more clarity on what you need to know about taking care of your shoes, and how to know when you need to get new ones.

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Save Your Shoes Only For Exercise

Dont wear them all day slip into them only for your exercise time. If you keep them on your feet, they get more wear and they have longer exposure to foot moisture and bacteria, which will break them down faster. So, save your running or walking shoes for exercise. Only try not to wear them around town, as they will wear down faster.

What You Need To Consider About How Long Shoes Last

You still need to consider some things when looking at how long shoes should last. Of course, everyones situation will be different. A good pair of shoes can last for many years or can be worn out in a matter of months depending on your walking habits and how well you take care of them.

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Why Do My Shoes Wear Out So Fast

Underpronation is common with people who have high arches and rigid feet. This occurs because your foot does not roll inwards to absorb impact, and all the pressure stays on the outside of your foot. It is also common to wear running shoes out quickly because they take more impact when you walk or run.

Lacing Technique Can Prevent Heel Slippage

No one wants to experience the pain and discomfort of black toenails when they go for a walk. Some people may blame their shoe size for this phenomenon and think that their shoes are too big. But the solution might be lacing your shoes properly.

When you lace your shoes correctly, your heel stays in the shoe’s heel cup while your toes have room to expand. Proper lacing technique will also help prevent heel blisters .

If you are getting black toenails despite having enough room in your shoes or your heel isn’t securely in the shoe’s heel cup, learn to lace your shoes the right way.

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Why Are My Walking Boots Cracking

Problem: Dry/cracking leather. 99% of the time this is a result of a lack of maintenance. Leather is skin, when skin becomes dry, it cracks, and unfortunately its time for the bin after this occurs. You need to regularly care for your boots to allow them to perform at their best for the longest amount of time.

How Long Should A Pair Of Shoes Last

Similar to the milk in your fridge, your shoes have an expiration date. Surprisingly, it isnt when theyre full of holes and moldyits actually way before that.

As a general rule, you should try to replace your footwear every eight to 12 months. This is where theyll typically show signs of being worn-out. Of course, there are factors adding and subtracting years off of them, including running, work and spending time in the closet.

In addition to this, there are three main indicators of a worn-out shoe. These are:

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Stick To One Brand At A Time

Instead of rotating brands of walking shoes, find one that suits you and stick with it. That way, your muscles will settle into a pattern, rather than adjusting every time you switch. If you are training for speed or distance, rotating between different types of shoes confuses your muscles without having a good training effect.

It is useful to have two pairs of the same walking shoes that you can alternate. Start wearing the second pair six weeks after the first. That way, you’ll be able to feel when the first pair is giving out.

Why You Should Replace Them

Even if your walking shoes still look okay, they could be worn out. And if you wear them past their lifespan, your risk of being injured increases.

The support within your shoes can wear down, and they might lose shock absorption. These issues arent always visible, but they can cause foot pain.

If you continue to wear worn-out shoes, you might experience shin splints, or neck and back pain.

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Is There A Difference Between A Walking Shoe And A Running Shoe

Running shoes are typically more lightweight, which makes it easier to make quick movements. Walking shoes, however, are usually heavier, which helps you maintain stability throughout your walk. In other words, running shoes support faster movements while walking shoes support a slower, consistent, and steady pace.

Long Walks Call For Walking Shoes Not Boots

Many European distance walkers wear boots. But if your long walk is on the pavement, your feet will be happier if you wear shoes designed for marathon runners and walkers. You will need some cushioning, but not heavy cushioning. Select walking shoes that say they are suitable for long-distance.

If you overpronate, you may need motion control shoesespecially for long-distance walking.

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When To Replace Your Walking Boots

Your favourite pair of walking boots are like an old friend. Youve worn them in, theyve accompanied you on countless adventures, and youve been to some amazing places together. Unfortunately, unlike an old friend, your walking boots will need to be replaced once theyve reached a certain age. Our guide will help you identify when the time has come to start investing in a new pair for next adventure.

Theres no hard-and-fast rule about when its a good time to retire your boots, or how long they should last. 500 miles walked on concrete will wear soles down more quickly than 500 miles out on the hills, and anything from the way you walk to how well theyre looked after can affect their longevity, with different materials and soles wearing at different rates too.

Forking out for a replacement pair unnecessarily is not only bad for the environment, it’s bad for your bank balance too. Equally, struggling on in shoes that have seen better days could damage your feet. Worn or damaged soles can even be dangerous as they wont offer you the grip you need to stay safe, so its important to know what signs to look out for.

How Many Miles Should A Good Pair Of Walking Shoes Last

A regular pair of athletic shoes can only last for about 350 to 500 miles.

Even if youre using the most durable walking shoes, the maximum mileage they can deliver is only 500 miles.

If you force to use or wear them beyond the 500-mile limit, the support and comfort will continue to dip.

Your weight will also be a factor in answering “How many miles do walking shoes last or can handle?”

The higher your weight is, the faster your walking shoes will wear out.

If youre obese or overweight, theres a chance your shoes wont even reach the 350-mile minimum.

You should also remember that old shoes wear faster than new ones.

That means if you continue to use an old walking shoe beyond its limit, you are only putting yourself at risk.

You will be more susceptible to injuries when using old walking shoes because the support that it offers is probably next to none.

If youre not tracking the mileage of your shoes, you can decide based on your daily walking time.

If youre walking 30 minutes a day or around three to four hours a week on average, you should replace your shoes after six months.

When youre walking 60 minutes a day or seven hours a week, you need to replace your shoes after three months.

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Do Shoes Last Longer If Rotated

Were not saying that to be fashion snobs: Rotating your shoes can make them last longer, and it might also be better for your feet, experts say. Take shoes that have cushioning, such as running sneakers, for instance. He suggests buying two pairs of the same shoes, if you can, and alternating them.

Heres How Often Experts Say You Should Replace Your Workout Sneakers

A fresh pair of workout shoes is a wonderful thing. Whether youre a runner, a HIIT enthusiast or someone who likes to mix things up, theres comfort in feeling supported by a solid set of sneakers.

But as your shoes absorb the impact of your sprints, squats and skips, they wear down over time and need to be replaced once theyre no longer properly protecting your feet. Ideally, you want to replace sneakers before this happens to avoid injury.

Technically, running shoes are meant for running and cross trainers are meant for HIIT workouts, but the reality is that most people usually wear the same pair of sneakers for all their athletic endeavors . So for the purposes of this article, were referring to the sneakers you wear for the bulk of your movement.

Paul Hunter, a personal trainer and the owner of Grayton Beach Fitness in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, put it succinctly: Shoe bills are less than doctor bills and time off.

But how often do you need to replace running shoes or workout sneakers? We tapped some experts to get answers.

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Washing And Reproofing Your Walking Boots

If youre not satisfied with the simple water and brush technique then you can wash your boots more thoroughly.

Choose a cleaner that is suitable for the boots material and follow the instructions as advised to give them a proper clean. Again, this isnt necessary every time but only if theres stubborn dirt or debris that wont quite shift with the brush.

For any time that theyre specifically wet or damp then you can reproof the boots by applying a waterproofer, which should only ever be done when the boots are completely clean. Re-proofing your hiking boots is an excellent way of keeping them good for longer, saving you money in the long run.

When Should You Throw Away Boots

On average you should keep your shoes for between 8 and 12 months before replacing them. This averages to around 300 to 500 miles for running shoes. One good indicator that your shoes are worn is when the support and cushioning start to become compressed and the material doesnt bounce back the way it used to.

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Avoid Drying Your Shoes In The Dryer

Theres nothing wrong with drying your shoes or socks in the dryer, but there are some things you should avoid doing. Here are 5 ways to avoid drying your shoes in the dryer.

You shouldnt let your shoes dry in the dryer. But many people do it. And, a lot of research has been done on the subject. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no conclusive evidence to support this claim. But, its still good advice to make sure you have the right shoes for your lifestyle. This is the best method to get How Long Do Walking Shoes Last.

Breaking In Walking Boots

As weve already established, walking boots usually require breaking in. Leather boots more so than fabrics, although its always recommended that you test the waters before heading outdoors anyway.

To break in your boots, simply wear them around the house whilst wearing the socks that you plan on using beneath them. Do this for an hour or so a few times before wearing them out to the shops or for a quick walk, and dont attempt to take them for a long trek too quickly as youll likely regret it and end up with blisters.

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Do Running Shoes Need To Be Waterproof

Running shoes tend to be not waterproof, but if you want them to be, its important to check for this before buying them.

You dont want your feet to become wet or caked in mud while running or working out. You should make sure that the sole of your shoe isnt too slippery because it causes you to slip and fall.

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How Long Do Hiking Boots Usually Last

The lifespan of walking boots depends on a range ofdifferent factors, such as their quality, how frequently and intensively youintend on using them, the kind of terrain they will mostly be facing, yourweight and how well youre likely to look after them. This question is similarto how much mileage a car is expected to clock up in that its very subjectiveand depends on a whole host of variables.

For a top-of-the-range pair of boots with Vibram soles and a good performance overall, expect them to last you for around 1000 miles of walking across diverse terrains, but this can vary. If youre an occasional or weekend hiker whose trails consist of simple, flat ground, your boots lifetime is going to stretch on for way longer than the avid hiker who heads out multiple times a week to tackle rocky terrain and muddy plains.

Weight plays a role too and this is not just a persons body mass, but also the size of the load youre carrying around. If youre on a multi-day hike carrying a heavy rucksack full to the brim, the extra weight added to your body frame will put more stress on the boots and wear them out sooner.

Walking boot maintenance is also crucial in determining how long your pair is going to last. Looking after your boots means giving them material-specific care. Washing them down, cleaning them and drying them after each use is essential, while reproofing, waxing or polishing can be done when the need arises, or after several sessions of use.

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The Complete Guide To Walking Boots

Here in the UK, walking is a national pastime and from light aficionados to die-hard daredevils, we definitely like to get our walking boots on. With this in mind, it follows that investing in a loyal pair of walking boots is a must and were here to help you get that choice right.

Walking boots are perhaps the single most essential item for hillwalkers and walking enthusiasts.

From one-season to four-season variations, construction, different styles and a range of special technical features to consider, were going to make wading through the vast selection on offer easier with this simple guide.

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How Long Do Shoes Last Unworn

All shoes begin to age as soon as they leave the manufacturer. Even though leaving them in the closet can make them last longer, theyll eventually reach a point where the glue dissipates. This is particularly the case for tennis shoes and athletic footwear.

Running shoes, for instance, may deflate while in storage, making them less cushioned. Tennis shoes tend to deteriorate where theyre glued together.

How Long Do Shoes Last In Storage

Shoes can last in storage for many years , but the material may change its feel and durability. The way the shoes were stored and the material will determine how long they can last. Shoes stored in a dry place with low humidity are more likely to maintain their feel better than if they were stacked on top of each other or wet.

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Also, leather material will be more durable than synthetic materials. The color may fade, but this will not affect the durability. I have worked in shoe stores for six years, and I remember one pair of leather shoes in the store for all the time I have worked there. The color faded, but the shoes still seemed pretty good to be wear.

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What Can You Do To Increase The Lifespan Of Your Shoes

Knowing how often to replace walking shoes can be of great help, no wonder. However, you should also have some idea about how to take care of them so as to make them last longer. Given below are the different ways in which you can do this.

1. Wear Your Walking Shoes Only During Exercise Walks

Walking shoes may feel very comfortable, making you want to wear them all day long. However, limiting them only to exercise walks can increase their lifespan by a great deal. Wearing them all day not only makes them wear out faster but also leads to moisture getting trapped inside, thereby creating a favorable environment for the foot bacteria to thrive. These bacteria can, in turn, shorten the lifespan of your shoes.

2. Air Dry

Between uses, place your walking shoes in a dry spot that received enough air flow. This allows them to breathe and dry out completely before the next use. If you follow this simple routine on a daily basis, you will not have to think so much about how often to replace walking shoes.

3. Wash Them Regularly

Many people do not really consider it a priority to wash their shoes. However, washing them regularly can help in the maintenance of a better hygiene and make feel fresher and cleaner while slipping into your shoes. However, remember to use only cold water and mild soap and warm water can be damaging to the glue. After you have rinsed out all the soap, do not toss them into a dryer. Instead, leave them to air dry naturally.

4. Replace The Insoles