Your Big Toes Wear Through The Toebox
This may be a sign that your ankles lack flexibility, which causes your big toe to flex upwards. Some wall-based
But its definitely a sign that youve been wearing those shoes for probably a bit too long, and its time to change them!
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Shock Absorption Is Limited As Shoes Get Older
In a fairly old study, Cook, Kester, and Brunet at Tulane University examined the degradation in mechanical shock absorption in a variety of different shoes.1
First, using a running machine which simulated the impact associated with running hundreds of miles in a pair of shoes, the researchers tested in a controlled way how the shock absorption changed over time.
Then, they compared these artificially worn shoes to shoes worn by actual runners over an equivalent volume of running.
In the machine-simulated running, shoes had decreased to 75% of their initial cushion after only 50 miles this cushioning dropped to 67% after 150 miles and ultimately to 60% after 500 miles.
The shoes worn by the real runners also declined in cushioning, following the same pattern of rapid decrease in cushion initially, tapering off and nearly leveling out at 500 miles of running.
But when worn by real runners, the shoes only dropped to 80% of their initial cushioninggood news for shoe-shoppers.
Heres something you probably want to know:
The researchers found no significant difference in wear properties amongst many different brands.
The Nike shoes deteriorated just as much as the Adidas or Brooks shoes, despite each shoe boasting different cushioning technology.
So much for a superior brand!
Finally, Cook et al. tested the decompression theory, which many runners have likely heard of.
Ask Yourself Why Do I Need The Shoe
The goal when buying a shoe is to get the most value out of what you purchase. So before you go ahead and pick that stylish pair, consider:
- What will I be wearing them with?
- Could they work with multiple outfits?
- Can they work well with different occasions?
- Do I have a similar pair already in good condition?
The first rule is deciding whether you need a shoe that will look good on your feet or one that will work for multiple situations. The last thing you want is to have a closet full of shoes that have the same purpose.
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Are You Wearing Insoles
If you already wear insoles, make sure to bring factor them into your fitting as they can change the fit and feel of the footwear. If you havent tried insoles before, maybe now is the time to consider it? Insoles allow you to personalise the fit to your foot and help provide additional comfort in the heel, arch and across the ball of your foot, while reducing problems like slipping, blisters, hot spots and shin splints.
Designed to match the contours of your foot, insoles can compliment your trainers to take your training to the next level.
Dont Wait Keep Those Kicks Up To Date
One of my favorite excuses for buying new shoes isnt just because its fun and a pleasure to break them in and experience the running on a cloud sensation. Its also partially due to the fact that there are so many models and editions of running shoes that are updated in design along with athletic benefits.
As a runner, its imperative to have a little something extra added to our shoe collection such as an aerodynamic shape that provides a catapulting motion for our feet. Lets take an example like Nikes Pegasus Zoom series its one of the many brands reportedly built for faster-paced runs with end of the heel, shaped in such a way that it virtually propels your feet forward. Other brands like Asics and Brooks have thicker foam structures that are always being modified with different breathability materials that havent been used before.
Also, finding out that your favorite brand has released a new waterproof design for rainy day runs may be the trifecta of shoe shopping! If youve been wearing the same shoes for years made of the same materials, you can -at some point decide to purchase a pair that can better take on dirt and puddles and repel water. Its a great excuse to add these styles to your collection! Athletic companies find all different ways to update their waterproof technology whether the exterior has a cool new nylon mesh upper or sleek-looking rubber sole with rigid grippage made to handle tougher traction.
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Can I Take Them For A Test Run
Buying running trainers is a big investment, so its important you always test them properly before buying them. Padding around on a carpeted shop floor doesnt quite replicate how the shoe will feel and respond when youre out running in them. Always ask to take them for a test run on our in-store treadmills.
Running Shoe Fit Tips
| Measure your feet each year, as they can change size as you age | The foot arch may lower over time, resulting in a longer foot, or a stronger foot may cause the arch to rise, resulting in a shorter size. Weight changes and activity level can also influence foot size. |
| Women’s feet may become larger during and after pregnancy | Weight gain during pregnancy may cause permanent lowering of the foot arch resulting in a longer foot. |
| Your standard running shoe size is typically a half size larger than your casual shoe | In general, running in shoes that are a tad too large is preferable to running in shoes that are too small. |
| Fit your larger foot | Your left foot and your right foot may differ by as much as a full size. A shoe that is too small is more likely to cause issues than one that is too big. |
| Faster running means you want a snugger fit | A tighter fit means you’ll stay better connected to the shoes when picking up the pace, so it might be worth giving up some wiggle room for a more secure fit. Many racing and performance shoes have a tighter overall fit than everyday training shoes. |
| Sock thickness can affect shoe fit, so try on shoes with the socks you plan to wear | You can change the thickness of your sock to fine-tune your fit. For example, use a thinner sock to create more space or a thicker sock to make the fit snugger. |
| Different lacing techniques can also affect fit | For more information, watch the video below. |
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How To Get Your Shoes Race Ready
You may wonder how you can break in your shoes for race day if you are wearing multiple pairs during your training. McClung has some good news: Most current models of running shoes dont require a break-in period anymore.
I recommend testing out a shoe in race-like conditions 34 times before you use them in a race, he notes. So, if you are doing a 5K in the shoes, then do at least 34 workouts in them before you race. Likewise, if you are doing a marathon in them, then I would do at least 34 long runs in them to make sure they are going to work for you over longer distances.
When doing this, you are checking for any areas that may cause blisters or discomfort over your given mileage. Also, if you are moving to a shoe with less cushioning that is more like what a traditional racing flat was, Burns notes your feet will work differently in those shoes, so youll have to slowly build up your foot strength. Just as varying terrain is a good idea to work different muscles in your legs, varying shoes can help you work different muscles in your feet, as well.
Science says that those who vary their footwear are more likely to be injury-free than those who run in the same shoe every day, concludes McClung. Find a portfolio of shoes that work for you and in that process, you will also find a shoe that might be better for you on race day.
Tuesday 14 September 2021
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High mileage
When you buy a new pair of shoes you should take note of the date or even write it on the inside of your shoe so that you can track your mileage in them.
A lot of running apps, like Strava for example, also allow you to track running shoe mileage. Then youll know when you start edging towards the 800km or 500 mile mark and can start looking for a new pair.
If you take good care of your running shoes, then you should be able to push the mileage closer to 1000km or 650 miles if theyre not worn out yet.
Poor shock absorption
The shock absorption of your running shoes gets worse the older they are and the more you run in them. This is because the cushioning and support gets worn down over time.
When its time to replace your shoes, youll find that you feel a lot of impact and compounding in your legs as your feet strike the ground. This is not good for your legs and could cause pain if youre used to running with cushioning.
If you don’t have a perfect foot strike, a worn-out midsole also makes the shoes less stable and ineffective in providing proper support for overpronators or supinators.
If you can bend the toe of your running shoe to the collar of its heel then its time for a new pair. Running shoes should not have that kind of flexibility so it shows that the midsole has been significantly worn down.
You experience aches and pains when running
Worn tread
Uneven wear
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Your Shoes Are Showing Signs Of Shoe Death
Perhaps you chose the right running shoes once upon a time, but even good things come to an end. No matter how perfect your running shoes were when you first bought them, they will reach their maximum mileage sooner or later.
For most people, running shoes have optimal cushioning between 300 to 400 miles. Heres how to spot the signs of shoe death that tell you its time to replace your running shoes:
First Of All Running Shoes Actually Do Break Down
Before we get into how to tell when your running shoes are circling the drain, its important to understand whats actually going on there with their breakdown. Yes, running shoe companies have a vested interest in encouraging you to fork over $100-plus every few months. But the idea that you need to replace your shoes regularly isnt just a marketing ploy, Robert Conenello, D.P.M., a sports podiatrist and founder of Orangetown Podiatry in Orangeburg, New York, tells SELF. Your running sneakers actually do break down over time, starting with the foam that cushions each collision with the ground.
When you run, you take an average of 160 to 200 steps per minute, each of which compresses your shoes in between the ground and the weight of your body, Brian Metzler, a dedicated shoe geek, tester, and the author of Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture & Cool of Running Shoes, tells SELF. This causes the midsolethe squishy part in between the shoes bottom and the fabric upperto break down.
Midsoles are made of foams with technical-sounding names like ethylene-vinyl acetate or polyurethane , which trap air in small cells to absorb the shock of each foot strike. Over time, the impact of running causes these cells to warp and flatten, Dr. Conenello says. Even if youre not using your shoes regularly, the foam still loses some of its shape and resiliency, or the ability to bounce back after its compressed.
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How To Tell When Its Time To Replace Your Running Shoes
Since shoes dont wilt, disappear, or come with a sell-by date, how do you know when its time to retire them? You can look for clues on your run or on the shoes themselves, and supplement with some tracking over time.
Chances are, youll be able to sense that your shoes have broken down before you can see that anythings amiss.
If you start to feel as though youre not getting the performance that you had before, or if youre starting to get new aches and pains, it might be time for a new pair, Dr. Conenello says. Anything from soreness in your heels to knee pain could signal the end of your sneakers blisters or chafing in new places could also be a sign. Many runners notice they have a type of ache that only appears when their shoes are close to their demise, whether thats shin splints or hip soreness, Metzler says.
Finally, you might also just notice that running feelsdifferent. When you get a new shoe, it feels light and lively and bouncy, Metzler says. Older pairs, meanwhile, lack the same spark or pizzazz. The shoe feels dead. And thats coming from that foam being worn out or compressed to the point that it cant be rejuvenated. As a result, your pace may slow even if youre expending the same amount of effort, making running more laborious and less, well, fun.
Take Good Care Of Them
Your running shoes dont need to be pampered, but a little extra thought on how you treat and store them goes a long way.
Weich points out that letting a pair of shoes sit in extreme temperatures for long periods of time can often contribute to its early demise. People leave their shoes in a hot car trunk on a 100-degree day, and their shoes are crushed in just 250 miles, he said. Properly caring for the shoe is a huge factor in durability.
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Wear And Tear Signs That Its Time To Change Shoes
Although the colour and aesthetic nature of the shoe are important from some runners, most runners would probably say they care more about the support and cushioning that is provided by the shoe more than how it actually looks.
Therefore, if you find yourself in the latter group where you dont care much about the appearance of the shoe, then you may find it hard to justify replacing your shoes when you consider them to be working fine.
Nevertheless, there are a number of things to look out for that would indicate excessive use and therefore wear and tear.
Eliminate Potential Muscle Imbalances
If your body is used to running in the exact same shoe all the time, but its not the perfect shoe for you then it will compensate for muscle imbalances, which creates stride issues and eventually pain.
This study showed those rotating running shoes through at least 2 models were 39% less likely to get injured.
And here Saucony goes in to a more detailed explanation:
Our bodies are best at doing one thing: Adapting to the environment and the stresses we expose them to. For runners this means that our bodies adapt to the stress of running, becoming fit and strong. But because running is so repetitive, it can occasionally overstress our bodies, especially when we increase training intensity.Every step loads the same tissues in the same way as the previous step. Running shoes can affect how the stress of running is distributed within the tissues of your body. By wearing different shoes on different days, you may avoid overloading any one muscle, tendon, bone, or ligament while simultaneously strengthening others.
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How Do You Tell When Your Shoes Are Worn Out
First, the ability of all running shoes to cushion the ride is reduced by use. As you run for weeks and months in a particular shoe and accumulate a couple of hundreds of miles, the shoe will show wear and tear. In that respect, running shoes arent any different than your car tires as the limiting factor is number of miles.
Running shoe wear shows up first on the outsole before the midsole , but the midsole usually wears out first. Again, the rate at which your shoes wear out differs from, runner to runner. For example, outsoles wear down on pavement faster than on dirt trails, grass fields or treadmills because roads and sidewalks are harder and much more abrasive than a softer surface. So there will be less wear and tear on shoes if you stick to dirt trails or the treadmill, but the impact forces are about the same so the cushioning will still eventually wear.
The most important component of any running shoes is its midsole. This is where most of the cushioning takes place. Almost all midsoles are made of lightweight foam. Mizunos proprietary midsole foam is called U4ic or U4icXboth of which are a light, cushy and durable material.
But the midsole cushioning material gets compressed with each step on every run. Although the midsole foam springs back within a couple of hours after a run, daily running compresses this foam. This is called compression set.
Why You Should Be Rotating Running Shoes
AH ha, lets talk more about how rotating your shoes makes them last longer and why its actually really important for injury prevention. I know I talk A LOT about tips to prevent common running injuries, but its the worst thing to happen besides having your favorite running shoe model suddenly change.
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What Type Of Running Shoe Do I Need
Many factors affect shoe selection.
Things like your weight, unique biomechanics, training surfaces, training goals, personal preferences, and your foot type and gait should be accounted for when purchasing a new pair.
Thats why today, dear reader, I decided to teach you about the many types of running shoes out there.
