Dead shoes: I think my cloud flyers may be run... - Bridge to 10K

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Dead shoes

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10
53 Replies

I think my cloud flyers may be run through. I got them in February and they have been a great shoe but hate gravelled tracks and frequently cause me grief by stopping my run to dig out chunks of road. During my weekend long run I felt that the ball of my left foot was starting to get a slight bruising. And looking at the shoes the cloud pods collapse very easily here with just a push of the thumb and given this is the area you are meant to strike, I think I have burned through these. They have split a bit on the sides and the treads are definitely a bit chewed from the gravel.

photos.app.goo.gl/FwYezuqbp... hopefully you can see the additional photos.

Strava says I have done 630km this year, I d say at least 500 has been on these so it does seem low for show failure. But some are better than others.

Is it new shoe day?

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pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvark
Graduate10
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53 Replies
MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10

Doesn't Strava recommend changing them after 400km? I managed just over 400km on my trusty old Fila trainers that I started c25k with, and those are pretty much bald underneath now.

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toMikeJones68

does it, that seems low.. but i'm only going on what I have seen other people say on here.

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

Advice is varied. Strava has a setting to warn you at 400km. I found this too: runtastic.com/blog/en/shoe-...

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply toMikeJones68

Hi Mike,

Interesting.

Why don’t the manufacturers just give a tread depth at new and a recommended scrapping depth.

Failures excluded of course.🤔🙈😂

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toTbae

On do recommend 600-1000km but say it varies on usage lol. Tread is not really the right way to test a tired shoe. You are meant to look at the toe flex, the torsional twist and the padding in the sole and heel for breakdown. A lot of the tread on road shoes is just styling and not necessarily functional like a car tyre.

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

The trouble is that everyone is going to be different. Some are lighter on their feet than others. I now know my old shoes were knackered as I'm not having any issues with my foot going to sleep with my new ones!

TedG profile image
TedGGraduate10 in reply toMikeJones68

I think the consensus is 500k 🤔 But who am I to know?

I bought a pair of Hoka Clifton 4’s and they’re wearing quickly thru the outer heel area, no way are they going to do 500k 🙄

RunBrianRun profile image
RunBrianRunGraduate10

I have those shoes but I won’t run in them. I tried it a couple of times but the heel felt too hard and there just wasn’t enough spring so just use them for everyday wear now. I tried a pair of the newer Cloudace in the shop yesterday and they felt awesome but are very expensive.

Yes, it is new shoe day for sure! Let us see what you end up buying 😃

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toRunBrianRun

They are not for everyone, it sounds like you prefer more of a cushioned ride. Apart from the gravel pickup these shoes have been amazing, no blisters and have taken me everywhere with good support and distance. My next shoes will be On's also and they have notched the pods to reduce gravel suck up so hopefully that will help. Just need to decide which, but I am a bit miffed in that I thought I'd get 5-700 miles out of them, not 500k

RunBrianRun profile image
RunBrianRunGraduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

The cloudace seemed more robust when I tried it. Worth a look I reckon.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

They say 300-500 miles for shoes to last

Sqkr profile image
Sqkr

Aw no! Shoe death is a sad thing. I suppose they have gone more than the official 450-500km distance, but I'd always rather assumed that to be partly rooted in trying to increase the sales turnover of shoes—I wouldn't expect to see significant damage at that stage! I have to admit I do worry about the longevity of mine too, and it's only been a month. I have been looking at some Inov8 Roclites perhaps for my longer runs because I fear the mixed terrain will be too tough on the Flyers. I like them a lot but think they are strictly road shoes, they're delicate wee things 🙁

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toSqkr

Funny you say that as I looked at the 212 and thought wow they are light for a trail shoe, but I thought the soles looked too gnarly for my needs which are more gravel trail and grass or packed mud rather than up or downhill rocks and scree that the roclites look to be for.

Sqkr profile image
Sqkr in reply topinkaardvark

That's one of the reasons I'm hovering over the buy button on the 305s—some say they're a good all-rounder, others say they're not much good on tarmac and mud. Finding door to trail type shoes seems really tough. I did end up running a lot in Yaktrax last winter though so I wonder if they might be a good rough weather option.

It's no good, I'm going to have to get 100 types of running shoe. I already have a bad footwear habit and have a corridor of shoes, I might as well add an extra few shelves for running too.

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toSqkr

Can never have too many. I'm thinking on getting some of these bad boys fitted. chaostoorder.com/2015/02/36...

Sqkr profile image
Sqkr in reply topinkaardvark

Haha yes! That's the way forward. I'm looking at new flats right now and my eyes light up whenever I see a bonus box room. You can fit a lot of running shoes in a box room.

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toSqkr

oh you're so lucky. I *love* victorian sandstone tenements and villas. My brother has a big villa in lenzie near glasgow.. he's so lucky. But I do dream of baronial style with a turret room for shoes :O oh my!

Sqkr profile image
Sqkr in reply topinkaardvark

There's so much space in these buildings! It's brilliant! And I fill all of it 😂

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toSqkr

Actually it was the x-talon 212 i was looking at for lightness. the roclites look quite heavy.

roseabi profile image
roseabi in reply toSqkr

My new trail shoes are Inov8 Roclites - definitely trail shoes! Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to try them out yet, so I can't give you any more info than that :D

Roll on Friday...

Sqkr profile image
Sqkr in reply toroseabi

Oooo definitely interested to know how you find them, my boyfriend swears by them and there are several gnarled old pairs in the house, but he did a fair bit of fell running in them so I'm not sure he's being objective!

roseabi profile image
roseabi in reply toSqkr

I will let you know on Friday :)

Fionn42 profile image
Fionn42

I thought you had passed ‘Peak Shoe’ already - do you not have ANY other running shoes??!!

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toFionn42

It seems a new slot just opened up :)

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply toFionn42

This made me laugh.🤔🙈😂

Other shoes.🤔Centipede.🤔

Tbae profile image
Tbae

Love that, it’s a new shoe day.👍

Have not read all replies.🙈

Mike and Mike and others are like FI users anyway.🤔

Need to investigate pit stops for changes to slicks / softs / hards.🤔

Imagine that, drinks stations and pit stops and shoe changes for runners.🙈😂

It’s a science alright.Perhaps we should have shoes like tyres at a certain air pressure in the tread.

Consistent pressure maintenance gives improved even and longer tread life.🙈😂

Excuse me, this is very interesting and very helpful.

I am just nuts.

💥🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💥

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

Shoes don’t all have the same longevity! I wore the soles off my last pair of Nikes really quick but was running road and trails in them, and walking the dog ( miles which didn’t get logged)

I’d say they’re done ! Well and truly. It’s a shopping day 😃

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10

Oh my...the stories those flyers could tell??!! They have had a good life, I think it’s time to let retire them...there’s some trainers out there with your name on waiting to be freed!!! x

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toMummycav

I just opened the cage :)

roseabi profile image
roseabi

I wouldn't necessarily ditch my shoes just because they've done some arbitrary distance. However, I think it's fair to say that shoe has shuffled off it's mortal coil, it is a late shoe, it has kicked the bucket, it is an ex-shoe, etc. :)

Noo shooss tiiiime!!

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toroseabi

Well i will be running in ghost shoes tonight then, as i'm keen to get my moneys worth hehe, will order some new ones today though.

roseabi profile image
roseabi in reply topinkaardvark

Spooky!

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toroseabi

images-na.ssl-images-amazon...

roseabi profile image
roseabi in reply topinkaardvark

Awesome.

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply topinkaardvark

Brings a whole new meaning to

Run as in your childhood.🙈😂

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10

New shoes(plural) ordered. Big reveal tomorrow maybe :)

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply topinkaardvark

Can’t wait.🤔👍

There once was a man, he was poor, he only had money.🤔

Way to go Mike, like the plural, get it spent, and enjoy your running.💥🏃‍♂️💥🔥

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10

They’ve got notoriously poor reviews for trails/gravel. I researched them quite a bit but they’re not stable enough for my gait anyway. Maybe a different type would suit you more if that’s the terrain you usually run on. Perfect excuse for new shoes 🤗

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toTasha99

I find them very stable and as a brand most reports suggest runners that use them don't suffer the same problems as those that don't. But because they are not sold specifically as a support shoe in the traditional gait analysis way it puts some off.

Sqkr profile image
Sqkr in reply topinkaardvark

I have to agree, I overpronate a great deal and find them very comfortable to run in, they're not traditional stability shoes but they're engineered quite well, at least for my movement it seems—I can literally run for miles with no blisters or aches. They'll be the shoe I use for my upcoming half marathon road races, no question. Don't rule them out entirely for the flat footed! 🙂

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10

Nooooo! The death of the Cloudflyer. :-( I have to admit, I worry about their hardiness – but then promptly stop, as I love running in them so much. The digging out of rocks and twigs is a bit annoying at times, I agree. Which model have they sorted this out on, just out of interest? I run on a mix of pavement and trail (on my current favourite circuit), so am baffled as to whether I need trail or road shoes. The Flyers do seem to cope with both.

Happy shoe shopping, pinkaardvark.

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toSadie-runs

if you look at something like the cloud x, you will see they added an extra scallop to the channel in an attempt to address the lodge debris issue on-running.com/en-gb/produc...

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10

Yes they have died. However you can keep them alive by using them as gym shoes ( this is what I do) to suck every last penny out of them.

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toju-ju-

But then my actual gym shoes? do I use them as run shoes?

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

I love my Cloudflyers and use them sparingly as the reviews said they would probably need replacing sooner than other shoes - and they are at 200k of mainly road running (with a bit of 'manicured' trail running i.e. you can use a road bike on them no need for mountain bike) and are like yours just about ready for the bin after 7 months. My Brooks Glycerine's have done 230k over the same terrain/6 month period and still look like new. I've just ordered some more Brooks in their sale.

As far as I can see the general recommendation for mileage on shoes is 300-500m that's miles not Kms. Although lightweight shoes will probably need replacing sooner.

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toAnnieW55

On state 600-1000.. overly optimistic it would seem hehe. I do love them though so needs must :)

Lordi profile image
LordiGraduate10

My Asics Gel Pulse 8 are over 800km now but still look like new with hardly any wear on them (much to my surprise). Most of that distance has been run on gravel. I do have a very neutral gait though so maybe the wear is just more even. Very little wear even so, so I'm impressed with the resilience of the rubber compound used. I've been "listening to them" and to my feet just lately, especially on pavement, to try to detect any loss of cushioning/harder ride but they still seem good.

In any case I've been on the lookout for replacements and doing a bit of pricing just lately, trying also to resist the temptation to "upgrade" (you know the temptation). I came across a great review of some pretty cheap Asics (Asics Exalt) which although el cheapo pretty much include all the most recent Asics shoe technologies and all for €39! So I might be down-grading but getting 3 pairs for the price of one pair of "this year's model". It's worth realising that a cheap shoe from a good brand has all the features and technology that cost £100+ in the top of the range shoe just a 2-3 years ago?

Anyway, as a runner (I really believe I'm one now and don't get that "impostor" feeling anymore) I'm still flabbergasted that I've managed to put so many miles/kilometres on my shoes since C25K back in autumn 2017!

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toLordi

Sounds like a bargain. My new ones.. not so much lol. I still feel like an impostor though, but maybe I always will.. I will never be Hermes so maybe I will never live up.

Gel Exalt is a support shoe though, not what you need as a neutral surely?

Lordi profile image
LordiGraduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

Support? Now you've lost me! Will try them out for 39€ and if good will fill my boots.

Lordi profile image
LordiGraduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

Will post a photo of 800km Asics Gel Pulse 8 on Strava gor those who follow etc...

Lordi profile image
LordiGraduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

Just educated myself on pronation and found this article useful - theendurancestore.com/blogs...

Seems that neutral runners can also use support shoes as it makes no difference to them / has no impact on their style.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10

Just saw this, watched the video and thought of your post: MoFarah’s trainers last one month 😂

runnersworld.co.uk/inside-o...

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10 in reply toTasha99

Yeah he does wear nikes though and they don't last long :) Someone else said they should only last 200km and i'm doing 50 a week so maybe mine should get binned every month.

I would have thought Mo would have a box fresh pair for every run.

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