How Often Should I Change Running Shoes

How Often Should You Replace Your Running Shoes

Its generally accepted that the standard lifespan of road running shoes is somewhere between 300 miles and 500 miles, or around 500-800km if youre that way inclined, and lightweight shoes tend to be somewhere between 250 and 300 miles. So if youre running 20 miles per week, youll probably need to replace them after 4-6 months.

However, where you fit in that range depends on a few things:

How To Extend The Life Of Running Shoes

Even though running shoes will eventually wear out, you dont want to send them into an early retirement. Like making a sports bra last or preventing running injuries, youll get more miles out of your running shoes if you take care of them properly.

Here’s how you can extend the life of your trainers:

• Own multiple pairs of shoes. If you run in just one pair of shoes at a time, the pair shoulders all the weight of your running. But rotating multiple pairs of quality shoes distributes the stress you put them through, so they all last longer.
• Dry them out. You shoes will eventually get wet, whether it’s an unexpected downpour or you sweat until they’re soaked. After that happens, its important to dry your shoes out to keep them in top shape . Stuff some old newspaper in them to dry them quickly, or let them air out for a couple days before running again.
• Clean them up. Like running in the rain, your shoes will also probably encounter mud or dirt on your runs. Dirt can be abrasive to the shoes upper, causing it to wear out prematurely.
• Run on the proper surface. Road running shoes were made to run on pavement, and trail running shoes were meant for the trail. Your road shoes wont hold up to the abuses of the trail, and the lugs on your trail shoes will get worn down more quickly on rough concrete.

Get A Separate Pair For Different Activities

To extend the life of a good pair of shoes, use them for runningand only running. If youre going to the gym for strength workouts or kickboxing classes, get a cross-training shoe thats more appropriate for lateral-movement activities. Henry takes it a step further and has a few separate pairs to suit different types of runs.

Consistently rotating the shoes I run independing on the terrain, distance, and type of workouthelps increase their longevity, Henry said. When I used to run in the same pair every day, they needed to be replaced often. Now that I keep my shoes in steady rotation, they last much longer.

Not only will this keep your footwear fresher for longer, the habit of rotating out different pairs has been proven to help prevent running-related injuries in athletes.

Also Check: How To See Reviews On Dhgate

Are You A Weekend Warrior Or Elite Athlete

How often you run and what kind of mileage you are logging both play a part in how often you need to replace your running shoes. For instance, if you run five or more times per week, you will probably have to replace your running shoes more often than someone only jogging one or two days each week.

But total mileage also plays a part in how often you need to replace your shoes. If you are running a few miles a week to get in shape for a local one mile fun run your running shoes will last much longer than someone logging 60+ miles per week while training for Badwater 135. FYI: Badwater is an ultramarathon that starts in Death Valley and ends 135 miles later at the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit.

Always Clean And Dry Your Running Shoes

Another important tip is to throughly clean and dry your running shoes after each and every run to help prevent odor and bacteria from forming. This is especially true for muddy or wet runs done in your trail running shoes.

If you got stuck in the rain or encountered a bit of water during your run, crumbled up newspaper stuffed inside your shoes makes quick work of absorbing excess moisture to help dry out wet shoes. You can even find cedar filled shoe inserts to help deodorize, refresh and dry out your wet, stinky running shoes.

If you hit a patch of sand or gravel during your run, make sure to brush off all loose debris before storing your shoes away until your next run. Also, if your insoles are removable, take them out to dry out between runs and shake out any sand or small bits of gravel that may have found their way inside your running shoes. There is nothing worse than starting your next run and getting a small pebble stuck between your toes.

Your footwear problems solved – meet your new running shoes! We carry the top brands of running shoes including Asics, Saucony, Brooks, Nike, New Balance, Skechers and more.

Also Check: Hey Dudes Washing

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.

When To Replace Running Shoes

No matter how much you spend on quality running shoes, they eventually wear out and youll need to replace them.

Replacing footwear, especially running shoes, isnt just a matter of keeping up appearances its important for health reasons. Over time, running shoes deteriorate in cushioning and shock absorption. Once the shoes are completely worn out, they lack the orthopedic support needed for a safe run.

Thats why its important to examine your running shoes on a regular basis. In this guide, well share tips on how to determine when its time to buy a new pair.

Also Check: What Does 2e Mean For Shoe Size

How To Tell If Running Shoes Are Worn Out

Sometimes the eyeball test will tell you all you need to know about the age of your shoes, but other times worn out shoes might not be so obvious. If your shoes arent telling you theyre ready to be retired, your body might provide clues.

Here are some signs that your running shoes are ready for a slower life of mowing the lawn:

• Your shoes will feel flat. The bouncy midsole foam in a pair of new shoes will absorb impact associated with running, saving your feet and joints from taking a pounding. As your shoes age, though, the foam loses some of its ability to rebound, like if you put a brick on top of a marshmallow.
• Nagging aches and pains. Hard workouts or increased mileage can make you feel sore the next day, but if little pains persist even after a normal run, it might be time for a refresh.
• Worn soles. The outsoles of your running shoes have tread just like the tires on your car, which helps cushion your landings and grip the pavement. But the ground is abrasive, especially if you primarily run on concrete and asphalt. If your soles sport bald patches and excessive wear, they wont serve you as well as a new pair.
• Uneven wear. If your worn soles are uneven, this can signal an even greater problem than just needing new shoes. It could mean you need different types of shoes, like a pair of the best stability shoes, to better support your feet. If that’s the case, take them with you when you go to get fitted for your next pair.

When Should You Replace Your Running Or Walking Shoes

Sure, your running or walking shoesfeel super comfy. There may be plenty of tread left on the bottoms. And those day-glo green features may still be shining bright. But looks can be deceiving: The more wear-and-tear on the shoe, the faster its sole and shock absorbers break down, leaving you with a less-than-supportive sneaker that can cause injury. So when should you replace those athletic shoes? Here are some guidelines:

One Shoe Does Not Fit All

Theres no hard and fast rule that applies to all shoesand all runners and walkers. In fact, experts say that a shoes lifespan depends on variables like the type of shoe, your gait, your weight, and where you run or walk. Shoes used mostly on harder surfaces, for example, are going to be worn down more rapidly than if you were to wear those shoes only during workouts on a bouncy track. Same for if you pound the ground when you run as opposed to having a softer stride.

Most pros agree that shoes should be replaced between 300500 miles of use. After that, they lose maximum support and shock absorption, which may leave you vulnerable to injury. Still, the exact timing is up to how you use them.

Breaking Down the Break Down

Other red flags: New aches or pains or sore feet during or after exercise, which may be your bodys reaction to the lack of cushion and support of the midsole, and any obvious signs of overuse, like worn-down tread.

Be Smart About Your Shoes

1. Keep track of your mileage.

2. Take the shoe flexibility test.

Recommended Reading: Where Are Hokas Made

Shophere Are The Tools That Help Me Maintain My 90

On the flip side, people with high arches tend to be supinators, and their feet roll outwards, Cunha said. If you have this type of foot, you’ll see the most wear in the top outer edge, by where your pinky toe sits. With this foot type, Cunha suggested you look for shoes with cushioning for shock absorption.

If you’re somewhere in between, you likely have a neutral arch and average gait. With this type of foot, Cuhna said you’ll likely see even wear in the middle of the shoe. You’ll want to look for a pair of sneakers with a mix of cushioning and support.

How To Know The Life Of Your Shoe Is Coming To An End: Common Signs

On the sole

The most obvious sign of when to replace running shoes is the sole. Wearing down the tread until it is smooth and the overall change in the base-sole-shape of the shoe is one of the clearest indicators that it might be time for a replacement. This can be tricky as some parts will show much greater wear compared to other parts of the shoe . Luckily for On fans, the bottom of the soles through the patented CloudTec shows you clearly when an element is done by breaking through. When this happens, the shoe is beginning to be compromised and its time to start thinking about a new pair.

The upper wearing down

If the sides of your shoes have worn through but the sole of it still is in good health, it could mean that youve chosen the wrong size for your foot. Though length is how shoe size is measured, wider or flat feet can quickly wear through the sides of running shoes. If this is happening to you, a half-size larger could be whats needed for your shoe, or stretch laces that can adapt to the foot on the run . If youre still burning through the sides of your running shoes, a reinforced upper may also be something to consider.

Fraying of the inside heel

More than meets the eye

Pain and injury

If unsure, ask

On offers a free service where you can contact the Happiness Delivery team with pictures of your current shoes and get feedback about if they need replacing or not you can find out more about this service here.

Read Also: Naot Tamariki

What Type Of Runner Are You

Your Choice Of Running Shoes Was A Hit

Im so comfortable! But why is this only available in pink?

You have to let that go immediately. Color should not be a factor when youre choosing running shoes its all about fit and feel.

If youre still running in the first pair of running shoes you picked out a loooong time ago possibly based on color or price its probably a good idea to reevaluate the situation and ask yourself: Was my choice of running shoe spot on, to begin with?

If you started shopping for running shoes with price or size as your priority, you probably got off on the wrong foot from the get-go.

Read Also: How Long Does Hey Dudes Take To Ship

What Affects The Life Of My Running Shoes

Several factors influence how long your running shoes last, which is why different people will have different results. Different running styles also affect the way shoes wear out. For example, a runner who overpronates, which is when the foot rolls inward too far, will show wear at the big toe joint and inside the heel. Runners who underpronate, or keep most of their body weight on the outside of their foot, will see more wear on the outer edge of their shoe.

Height and weight also play a role in how long shoes last. The shoes of larger-than-average runners wear out more quickly, so to make them last longer, look for shoes such as the GEL-KAYANO 27, which has advanced support and cushioning.

It’s not just what’s going on inside the shoe that affects how long it lasts, however. Where you run can change the speed at which shoes wear out, too. Running on a paved road causes your shoes to wear out faster than when you run off-road so take your running route into consideration as you look for new shoes.

How To Tell When Your Sneakers Are Toast

Even if youre not tracking miles, there are physical signs that indicate its time to buy a new pair of sneakers. Excessive flexibility is one of them.

Running shoes are designed to be flexible in the forefoot because thats where your bones are flexing, so if youre seeing flexibility in the forefoot, thats not a super big concern, Brittany Gleaton, associate footwear product line manager at Brooks Running, told HuffPost. But if it starts to flex in the midfoot and heel, thats a really good sign that you need a new shoe because shoes are not designed to be flexible in those parts of the foot.

Not sure if your shoes have too much flex to them? Dr. Wenjay Sung, a podiatrist at Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia, California, recommends taking each shoe in your hands and twisting it.

If the shoe feels weak, as if a simple turn of the wrist can bend it out of alignment, then its time to replace your sneakers, Sung said. Even if one shoe is still strong while the other is weak, it is prudent to replace both sneakers.

Excessive wear on the outsole of the shoe is another red flag. This can take the form of the tread wearing down or even disappearing in some parts.

Typically, the midsole will break down before the outsole. If you are seeing wear in the leather or even the foam on the outside of the shoe, thats a good sign that the midsole is probably already broken down, Gleaton said.

Recommended Reading: Is Dhgate Safe

How To Choose Running Shoes Wisely

Many running stores swear by a treadmill gait analysis but is it really the be-all and end-all when it comes to finding the right shoe?

A treadmill gait analysis can be a useful tool. Having rear foot video analysis shows over-pronation at mid-stance, so its helpful to narrow down the shoe choices based on which type of shoe might be most appropriate.

However, new research in biomechanics proves that over-pronation isnt the scary thing we once thought. Some people do over-pronate severely, but for slight over-pronation, its just about adding some support and stability.

If you wear the same shoe all the time, you can actually develop tiny weaknesses where the shoes are the strongest, and over time that can create injuries in those places.

But, weve also learned that there isnt necessarily one right shoe for every person. You may choose to do your long runs in a pair of Brooks Adrenalines, but favor the Ravenna or the Launch for shorter stuff.

If you wear the same shoe all the time, you can actually develop tiny weaknesses where the shoes are the strongest, and over time that can create injuries in those places.

The perfect running shoe is just there, it does what you need it to do, and its comfortable it should feel like a part of your foot.

If you liked this post, dont forget to share so that others can find it, too.