Runners: How can you tell your running shoes need replacing?

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: Imp

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
This should go in the Health & Fitness forum.

Running shoes need to be replaced (depending on who you talk to) every 300-500 miles. Different people say different things about how often you need to replace them...a lot of running stores say 200 just so you buy shoes more frequently. Take a look at the wear pattern and the tread life on the bottom. Also to take into account is the cushioning in the shoe itself - not really visible, but wears down gradually with mileage.

That's what the store told me when I got my $160 Brooks (300-ish miles). After that, you demote them to everyday usage. To tell when to replace them, you should log your distance every time you use them... And that's when I just say screw it. The official reason for replacement is that the cushioning and 'extras' in the shoe will degrade, and thus, will no longer support the impact as well. If you're that concerned about performance, then you should have no problem replacing them once or twice a year.

If you don't give a sit like me, just look at the wear pattern, once a year or when you feel like it. I land on the mid to front of my foot, so not much cushioning there anyways. The arch support is the most important part of my shoe.

thats a very very bad attitude and not to be encouraged.
shoes aren't for performance, they provide crucial support, especially in people who over pronate or supinate. a worn out shoe can and most likely will cause injury.

 

[WarhammerUC]

yeah, good thing about brooks, you can buy them on ebay for much cheaper after you figure out your foot size and pronation.. i bought the trance 8 for 80 bucks shipped, almost half off..

love my brooks

Originally posted by: Imp
That's what the store told me when I got my $160 Brooks (300-ish miles). After that, you demote them to everyday usage. To tell when to replace them, you should log your distance every time you use them... And that's when I just say screw it. The official reason for replacement is that the cushioning and 'extras' in the shoe will degrade, and thus, will no longer support the impact as well. If you're that concerned about performance, then you should have no problem replacing them once or twice a year.

If you don't give a sit like me, just look at the wear pattern, once a year or when you feel like it. I land on the mid to front of my foot, so not much cushioning there anyways. The arch support is the most important part of my shoe.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: Train
3 days a week x 1 year = need new shoes.

You may already be hurting your feet/legs/knees and just cant feel it yet because its so gradual.

wow....I've used the same high top converses since junior year of college (2003), training on average 3-4 times per week, and running a couple. I've replaced the insoles a few times on them, but they're really shot at this point> need new ones.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: gramboh
Doesn't it depend on how you run? If you heel strike I imagine they will wear out pretty fast and be extremely painful when they do, if you run with a lighter midfoot strike they would last longer would they not?

Not really...if you are a heavier midfoot striker then you'll just wear out the midsole faster, and still need to replace them.

I usually replace my shoes every 800 km, although I got lucky and got 900 km out of a recent pair. My last pair were shot after 750 km as I had been doing a lot of hard tempo runs and speedwork in them.

If any part of your foot feels a bit sore (especially the underside/ball of your forefoot) after a steady 10 km/6 mile run, your shoes are toast.

The mileage rule (500 miles/800 km) is a great one to follow. The idea of only getting 200-300 miles out of a pair is a bullshit marketing technique designed to make people buy shoes too frequently. The 300 miles rule applies to racing flats, which are much lighter weight shoes.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Amoreena
I've got a pair of running shoes that I've had for about a year, probably average running three days a week. How does one know when to replace them? I hate to wait until my knees tell me so!

Those shoes are toast. I replace mine about every 350mi or so.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: gramboh
Doesn't it depend on how you run? If you heel strike I imagine they will wear out pretty fast and be extremely painful when they do, if you run with a lighter midfoot strike they would last longer would they not?

Not really...if you are a heavier midfoot striker then you'll just wear out the midsole faster, and still need to replace them.

I usually replace my shoes every 800 km, although I got lucky and got 900 km out of a recent pair. My last pair were shot after 750 km as I had been doing a lot of hard tempo runs and speedwork in them.

If any part of your foot feels a bit sore (especially the underside/ball of your forefoot) after a steady 10 km/6 mile run, your shoes are toast.

The mileage rule (500 miles/800 km) is a great one to follow. The idea of only getting 200-300 miles out of a pair is a bullshit marketing technique designed to make people buy shoes too frequently. The 300 miles rule applies to racing flats, which are much lighter weight shoes.

I think it depends on the shoe. With my Asics 21xx trainers, I've always been able to get close to 400 miles before my knees, ankles, etc used to hurt.

I had a pair of NB 902 light weight performance shoes and they only lasted about 250 miles.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I think it depends on the shoe. With my Asics 21xx trainers, I've always been able to get close to 400 miles before my knees, ankles, etc used to hurt.

I had a pair of NB 902 light weight performance shoes and they only lasted about 250 miles.

That's true - it does depend on the type of shoe. I agree that lightweight trainers or racing flats do not last as long as trainers with a moderate amount of cushioning.

However, within a certain category of shoe (i.e only trainers), there is very little variation between different brands and models. A runner's weight, speed, and footstrike are larger determinants of a shoe's durability.

For example, I've run in numerous brands of training shoes (NB 851-855, 1021, 1023, Adidas Supernova Cushion, and now Nike Air Max Moto 5, 6) and they all consistently last 500 miles for me before I notice they're worn out.