Replacing shoes: How many km or miles do most... - Bridge to 10K

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Replacing shoes

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate10
22 Replies

How many km or miles do most people get out of a pair of running shoes before they need to be replaced?

Strava says mine (Brookes Ghost 10) have done 700km so I suppose they've maybe earned their retirement but what is surprising to me is that the soles are not too bad and they are still very comfortable for running - it's actually the upper that is beginning to wear out, with a wee hole appearing about where the big toe is on each foot. Is it usual for the upper to wear out when the sole and cushioning are still in reasonable nick?

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ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJG
Graduate10
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22 Replies
Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10

700k is way more than I have ever got out of a pair of shoes. Usually after 300k or so, mine feel a bit dead and I start to struggle with niggles. I am there now, and as usual blaming the weather or something else rather than recognising it’s time to start transitioning to a new pair.

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate10

Hmm. Had a browse and several websites seem to say 300 to 500 miles: so 700k is right in the middle of that range and I shouldn’t complain. I just don’t understand why the upper is tearing when the bits that take all the impact are still reasonably OK.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toArthurJG

They look ok but I guarantee you if you put one on and a new one of the same on the other foot you'd be amazed.

I put a post up when I changed my Brooks at around 450 miles. They actually looked fine all over but they were so done. When I put new ones on their wear was much more evident and I couldn't go back.

Just found it. I said 515 miles but I forgot to subtract miles with my other shoes healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

That’s interesting. We’ll see when I go for gait analysis tomorrow in the same shop where I bought them. They definitely feel OK and my most recent run in them took over 40 seconds off my parkrun PB with no discomfort whereas before I bought them I was getting all sorts of aches. They have to be replaced anyway because my socks are starting to show through the toe holes.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toArthurJG

Well if you're nifty with a needle you could maybe darn them... but I'll be interested to see what happens at the shop 👍🏻

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

I only got 400km out of my brooks GTS 18s as the fore foot sole wore down. They should have been replaced before that but I had probs finding a replacement. If they are still comfortable you could alternate them with a new pair and you could then compare.

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

As I say they won't last long now because the upper is worn through. It just seems very odd that that's the bit that failed first.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toArthurJG

UTS wears through the top of his shoes by his big toe and I have repaired them for him. One of our cobblers will put a patch on the inside when they are new to prevent it - it’s quite common apparently.

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

That makes sense. I’ll see what they say in the shop tomorrow.

Sybilw profile image
SybilwGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

Common. That’s good to know. I thought I was just weird!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toSybilw

No you’re not weird Sybilw- I’m sure you’re not common either 😂,

Sybilw profile image
SybilwGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

😂 thanks.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10

Mine last about 3 months 🤣

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate10 in reply toTasha99

Eek! Do you have a dog or something that eats them?

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10 in reply toArthurJG

I’m like an elephant - the soles wear away quickly plus it’s a great excuse to by new shoes 😍

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

I think our local running shop said 400 miles or so. I have two pairs on the go at once so that I never have to switch to a new pair for every run.

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10

My big toenails are apparently very strong and regularly make holes in the uppers of my sports shoes very early in our relationship. I’m told there are cobblers who can put in a reinforcing toecap, but haven’t bothered - the extra ventilation is sometimes welcome!

On the other question, I’ve just changed my road shoes after 600k - 550 of which with “extra ventilation”. They ran out of bounce, and were worn down on the outsides of the heels.

Best of luck 😀

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate10 in reply toUpTheStanley

Extra ventilation? You may have a point there!

MadDave profile image
MadDave

I’m up to around 700k on my brooks cascadia which still have more mileage in them. I’m lucky to have a running shop nearby where they will check your shoes and tell you if they’re still ok (advanceperformance.co.uk). They seem to be more concerned about the structure of the mid sole when they check them.

JoP61 profile image
JoP61Graduate10

I've done about 600km in my Karrimor shoes and the same thing has happened - the soles are fine and they still feel great, but there is a small hole in the upper where my right little toe is. And the other shoe looks like it's going the same way. I have used this as an excuse to buy some ASICS, and I guess I'll alternate old and new until I get completely used to the new ones. The Karrimors have been great and so light/comfortable. 😀

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate10

All went OK at run4it and I chose a pair of Brookes Ghost 11, very similar to the Ghost 10 I have now but they have a slightly reinforced toe which may help! What also helps is they are discounted because version 12 is on the way. Now I wouldn't say I'm paranoid about privacy, but I draw the line at my running shoes being visible from the surface of the Moon, so I didn't take them home with me: a pair in a darker colourway is on order.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toArthurJG

🤣🤣🤣 I like mine to be visible to the moon! 👍🏻😁

Glad you got sorted regardless 😁

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