Running Shoe Advice Please

[Logan1980]

Hi, I would like some advice please on running shoes. I completed the couch to 5k a couple of years ago and have managed to keep it up since then and I recently completed my 200th 5k run. The issue I am experiencing is that where I struggle with my weight and currently I weigh 25 stone my running shoes are not lasting very long at all and whilst there is some great advice online there is very little around weight speeding up the wear on your running shoes. When I look online it says shoes should last between 300-500 miles, the photo I have taken is of my current pair of shoes which have only done 49 runs and 245km but they do not feel great and as shown in the photo the soles look pretty worn to me. Am I correct in thinking these shoes have come to the end of their life as I am not sure because they are low mileage but look worn? Also when I do change shoes I am looking to have two pairs and alternate them as I have read that this is really good to extend the shoes life and also to help prevent injury especially considering my excess weight I am carrying at the moment.

[Ian5K Graduate]

It’s essential that shoes should feel good, whether they’re brand new or well worn. If these don’t feel good to you, it’s time to get another pair.

Sorry, I don’t know about acceleration of wear due to weight but there must be loads of factors involved in how shoes stand up to wear and at what point we change them. Maybe a good running shop can better advise on the best choices available for heavier runners. 🙂

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Obviously extra weight is going to cause extra wear and if you have got nearly 250k out of one pair, then they probably are, as they appear to be, well beyond their best.

I weigh less than half your weight and only expect my shoes to do about 400k, but that will vary according to the quality of shoe you purchase.

Have a gait analysis done at a specialist running shop and find out what suits your running style. This guide to buying running shoes may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

The advice from experts in a specialist running shop (not a sports discount shed) will be invaluable.

[Logan1980 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for that advice it is really helpful especially the that you would only expect around 400k that puts it in perspective that 250k is probably about right when you factor in my weight. I will definitely look at a running store I am lucky that I live in Worthing on the south coast and we have two specialist stores called Run which are meant to be very good, so I will pop down to one of those, I think I have not done before as I though it was more for seasoned runners rather than people like me but I am sure that is not the case at all and they will be happy to assist me 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Logan1980]

You have over 1000k on your legs.......you are a seasoned runner.

Take your old shoes with you and go prepared to run on a treadmill for a gait analysis.

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate]

I would echo what previous posters have said. I'm a couple of stone overweight and intend to keep a close eye on my shoes from 300K upwards - not just the look of the outsole, but also the feel of the midsole as I am running. My favourite shoes are currently Nike Vomero 16, and I've just reached 200 km on a white pair I bought at the beginning of October. I've just bought a second pair in a blue colorway (less likely to get visibly stained in winter weather), and I can already feel the difference between the new pair and the pair with 200 km on them.

[John_W Graduate]

I would certainly recommend you rotate at least 2 pairs of shoes - if you can afford it, maybe even extend that to 3 or 4 pairs.

[Logan1980 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thanks, I will definitely think about that, quick follow up question if that is okay with rotating a few pairs of shoes is it okay to start them all at the same time or should you leave it some time before starting another pair so you can notice a drop off more in the older pair?

[John_W Graduate in reply to Logan1980]

Just my opinion, as I've only recently started to rotate 4 pairs... 2 new ones and 2 old ones. The 2 old have 500 miles each on them. I'm going to rotate equally at the moment and gradually fade out the older ones - so they get maybe 2 out 6 runs and then 2 out of 8 runs, then 2 out of 10 runs etc etc.

I should it's fine to start 4 new pairs at the same time - the trick will be to buy another pair or 2 after 6 months or 1 year (or by distance) and then gradually 'dose' them in.

I'd be looking for bargains and stick to £50-60 per pair

[John_W Graduate in reply to Logan1980]

I've had re-think while in the shower . If you can manage to get 4 pairs, then start with 2, then when they have about 100km each on them, introduce the other pair. Have a period where you rotate 4 pairs then the 1st pair will start to wear... then you replace them. And keep going.

But... of greater importance is your weight. I know you know that. Reducing that will have a dramatic and positive effect on your running. Your reduced expenditure on shoes will be an added bonus - literally!

[nowster Graduate]

I tend to get about 500 miles (800km) out of my shoes. It does depend a lot on what sort of surface you're running on.

I wear minimalist shoes, so the thickness or springiness of the sole is of less significance to me. I change when either the insole is starting to wear away or the wearing surface (rubber lugs) of the sole has gone completely.

For the sort of shoes you have in your photo, the more important thing is the comfort of the shoe and how its internal structure is doing. The soles themselves look reasonable: some of the fine patterning has gone, but there's still plenty of meat on the lugs. The pattern of wear suggests an element of heel striking. If the insole is wearing away or the padding inside has deteriorated, or even if they simply feel wrong, it's definitely time to think about replacements.

If you are getting new shoes from a proper running shop, take the old ones along for them to see the wear patterns. The way the shoes have worn away can be as instructive as getting gait analysis done on a treadmill.

[Morethanconquerors Graduate]

I’m no expert but I don’t think these soles look particularly worn. I have bought new shoes when my soles start to look very worn and I think they are starting to feel uncomfortable but I have then ended up swapping back to my old ones now and then depending on the length of run etc. As a result I now have 3 sets of shoes I rotate between. Sounds like going to a running shop and being properly fitted would be a good idea but maybe swap back to your old ones now and then. Well done on such fabulous, consistent running!

[Logan1980 Graduate in reply to Morethanconquerors]

Thank you for the advice and kind words, I was thinking a little more about it last night and I am going to go to the running shop this week get a gait analysis done and buy a second pair of shoes and alternate between the new ones and these old ones as I am reluctant to retire them just yet and alternating between the two should give me an idea form the feel of them against the new pair when the old ones are gone and need retiring. This also means there should always be a few months difference between my newest and oldest pairs movingly forward.

[Freecloud Graduate]

I would echo the advice above re analysis and running shop and bringing your pair with you.

I'm only relatively new to running myself and only started it after losing nearly 5 stone over the past year. The current shoes I have are about 150.00 and the base is fairly thick like most shoes at this price. I have run about 350km in them since July and can't really notice the wear in them. I'm looking to get another pair of runners at Christmas and will go for ones similar to these as I think I would cheaper ones would wear quicker and could cause injuries.

I would also like to hugely congratulate you on your achievement thus far and are an inspiration and should feel very proud of yourself.

[Freecloud Graduate]

How did you get on?

[Logan1980 Graduate in reply to Freecloud]

I didn’t manage to get to the running shop for a gait analysis but I will look to do that early next year when the older shoes need retiring and I have a better budget. I have however managed to get a new pair of Under Armour running shoes with 40% off in the Black Friday sales which should be delivered tomorrow or Tuesday so should be able to get out Wednesday with the new shoes and start alternating with the old ones from then.