Running Shoes

[Punkmummy]

How do you know when it’s time to trade your running shoes out?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

When you see a new pair you want!!!

Seriously, I know when I need to retire a pair to become walking shoes when my hip starts aching after runs which means they’ve lost their support. You can track shoe mileage on various apps but I tend to just go by when I feel they’ve lost their bounce.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi    Punkmummy , it's time when you notice some or all of these signs of wear: your shoes don't feel comfortable, don't offer support, soles are worn down in places, the materials and/or structure are starting to get loose or even fall apart. Twinges that you didn't have before are also a warning sign! Also, you may need new shoes for different surfaces or as your running develops and to start to run more often, or further or faster.

Manufacturers tend to say around 500km. I find it varies wildly. I've just retired a pair of trail shoes at 700km to use as walking shoes. My previous pair - same brand, previous model - did more than 1000km, but were completely unfit for wear after that. However, I only got about 450 km out of a different brand of road shoes.

There's a FAQ about shoe-buying here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

My feet start hurting... Seriously! It's not a bad pain (unless I ignore it at first), it's more like my body knocking on my door "hey! Time to get new shoes!"

I've learned the hard way to always have a spare pair around, so I can switch as soon as my body knocks... I am finding this works better than checking my shoes for wear & tear as I often don't notice a lot, well, my eyes don't notice it! My feet do 🤣

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to ChannelRunner2]

Same here. I like a couple of pairs so if they’ve got really wet, I can wear the others for the next run. I’m always looking for my size in styles I know I like on sale so I can just put them in the cupboard ready for when they’re needed.

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

You know you’re going to buy some! Do post a photo.

[Teresa1632 Graduate]

I retire mine when I see wear on the soles, and they lose their grip. Its a bit like driving a car with worn tyres. But who needs an excuse to buy another pair! 😉😊. If money is tight, look for Black Friday deals. And occasionally, you can find deals on e Bay, where someone has bought a pair, tried them out & can't return them. I bought a pair that had less than a mile of wear. When you are ready to retire your shoes, there is an option to donate them to a good cause, postage is free (another reason for upgrading 😊). jogonagain.com/

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate]

There's a lot of hints that you may need new shoes - wear patterns, lack of oomph etc. I hurt a tendon and had to see a physio who took one look at my running shoes and literally folded them in half, so the toe touched the heel. They were 10 years old (9 1/2 of those years sitting in a cupboard) and he told me that they were probably the cause of my injury.

So now, I keep track of how far I've run in my shoes using the Garmin Connect app. Once I get above about 350 km I start seeing how far they bend. My last pair, ASICS, did barely 400 km. My present ones, Brooks, have now done a similar distance but seem to be holding up OK.

As you're about to graduate maybe treat yourself to a gait analysis and new shoes? Take your old ones along as this will give the shop a good idea of how you run based on the wear pattern. This way you are most likely to get the best pair of shoes for you. My local running shop is about the same price as the big stores and definitely don't try and flog the most expensive shoes you try on.

I like ChannelRunner2 's idea of buying a pair before I need them but then who needs an excuse to buy new shoes?

[Katnap Graduate]

It is genuinely useful to have two, three, or more pairs of running shoes.As recent UK weather shows, your shoes can get wet and might still be damp for your next run so additional pairs help keep you active and dry / comfy.

Also you can then get a feel for how your older/ worn shoes react in a run. Less bouncy? More slippy? More noisy? Have to tighten the laces more than you used to?

It isn't bingo!

You don't need a full house of problems before you stop running in those shoes 😂

Hopefully you have someone close to you who you can lean on for a Xmas present?

Happy running!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Punkmummy Graduate]

Thanks everyone! Some really great ideas here and yes I’m not above having a few pairs of running shoes. I have defo has a few wet days and can I just say yuck 🤣

[nowster Graduate]

When they start to wear through. I don't have shoes with any support or deep padding, and my shoes can be washed in the washing machine.

I tend to get about 800-900km out of a pair.