How often should you replace your running shoes?
That depends. The industry standard answer to that question is you should replace them every 300-500 miles. And that is what we often tell runners. Walkers, we like to add, will get more mileage out of a pair of shoes as the pounding on the pavement is not quite as intense with walking as it is with running. And since walkers do not always track their mileage in the same way runners do, we generally recommend walkers replace their shoes after 6-9 months of consistent use.
What factors go into how much wear you are going to get out of a pair of shoes? So many. Everything from the shoe construction to body weight to terrain to running efficiency will affect the life of your shoes. (Stay tuned for other Shoe Wall Talks as we address these things, for now though, I’m going to stay on topic.)
Experienced runners and walkers are good at tracking the mileage or time spent in a pair of shoes and will frequently get new kicks before the end of life of their current pair of shoes. Other folks prefer to get the most bang for their buck and will stretch out the life of their shoes for as long as possible and sometimes beyond... Just be aware of injury if you push the limit too far.
Okay, so how will you know it is time to replace your shoes?
- You have new aches and pains. Pay attention to those ankles, knees and hips. If you start to feel niggles in those places, it could be a sign that the structure of the shoe is failing to support you and it is affecting your gait.
- Your feet feel fatigued or even blistered after a run. Ouch! Time to toss the old ones!
- The midsole has lost its luster. Over time and miles, those cushioned shoes will compress and not feel as cushy anymore and may even feel hard when landing or you will start to feel things underfoot that you did not feel before, like gravel or bits of road debris. This is a sign that the magical secret sauce foam you love so much has gone flat.
- The treads are worn out. The treads usually wear out after the structure of the shoe has already worn out so do not let this be your lone indicator that it is time to replace your shoes.
So there. Simple as pie. Once you have been through a couple pairs of shoes, you will get an idea as to how long they lasted and can track your mileage or time in future shoes based on those, as you really do not want to wait for the niggles to appear to be your indicator that its time.