shoe wear

[Leotigris]

I'm wondering whether it is worth buying more expensive shoes - do they last longer and if so, is the difference enough to offset the additional cost.

Since I started running about 2 years ago I have managed to wear out 3 pairs of shoes and I am currently on my fourth pair.

Since graduating from C25K in April 2022 I have run approx 840km (on average about 15 km per week - although weekly distances have increased over the 18 month period). Does this seem like reasonable wear? I have been buying the cheapest shoes that I can find but I wonder if this means that they wear out more quickly?

[misswobble Marathon]

Not necessarily. My first pair of Karrimor tempo run shoes were amazing for £44 and lasted ages

The most expensive shoes are usually the minimalist racing shoes and they’re not going to last long 🌪🔥🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Mizuno, Brooks,Ons, Altra and some Nikes have been long-lasting for me. Puma outsoles are said to be really good too. I’ve got a sale bargain on order at the moment I like Saucony but quality has been variable. I had a £28 Kinvara which lasted ages but clocked up hundreds of miles

Running shops should be able to be sort you out. They always have last season’s models on sale at much reduced prices.

Happy shopping 😀👟👍

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to misswobble]

thanks Miswobble, I had a suspicion that higher price does not necessarily mean a longer life. It's good to know which shoes people have found have a long life.

[Cmoi Marathon]

I'm not sure I've understood your numbers correctly    Leotigris . If my interpretation is correct and you've worn out three pairs of shoes over 840 km of running I'd consider that pretty poor. I got in excess of 1000km out of my first pair of Brooks Cascadias and over 700km out of my second pair. I'd expect to get an absolute minimum of 400km out of a new pair of running shoes.

Not saying you have to spend a fortune though! I tend to buy sale or special offer shoes. As    misswobble says, you can often get good deals on less popular colours or models that are about to be replaced. Decathlon own brand running shoes (not their general trainers though) can also prove good value for money. I've also picked up some nearly new bargains on Vinted, though you do have to do your research first.

The important thing is to choose shoes that are right for your feet and your running. The priciest road shoes would be no use to me as I prefer running off-road and I'd wreck them, and very probably myself, in no time.

Happy choosing!

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks Cmoi, it's helpful to know what to expect.

The total will be a bit more than 840km because that figure doesn't include the distance run during C25K or the first few consolidation runs after graduation as I only started tracking my runs later, but it probably isn't a massive amount more. You have confirmed my suspicions that I am not getting good value for money.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Leotigris]

Forgot to say, I retired the second pair of Cascadias as running shoes when they weren't giving me enough support. However, the grip was still good enough for them to be used as walking shoes.

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to Cmoi]

thanks Cmoi

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Leotigris]

This landed in my emails today Leotigris and I thought you might find it interesting: womensrunning.co.uk/gear/th...

I have a pair of the first shoes mentioned, KALENJI Jogflow 500.1, and can confirm that they're light and comfy. No use if you want to run fast or off-road, but great for pootling about.

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks Cmoi, I'll have a look at this.

Most of my running is on a mix of grass, gravel, mud (when it's wet) and a bit of road so the Kalenji's might not be suitable.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Leotigris]

In that case I wouldn't recommend the Kalenjis. Decathlon do some good road-to-trail shoes in the Evadict range though. I'd recommend that if you do want to try Decathlon you read up several reviews before you head there, and try before you buy.

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to Cmoi]

thanks Cmoi

[John_W Marathon]

In what way are they wearing out?

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to John_W]

The soles are worn out (particularly the ball of the foot and the heel) and also on one pair the fabric on back of the heels inside has also worn away

[John_W Marathon in reply to Leotigris]

Ok, and what make/brand are they ? (Not wanting to judge btw)

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to John_W]

they're all Karrimor

[John_W Marathon in reply to Leotigris]

Ok, and do you consider yourself to have an unusual running gait ? Do you think you're 'heavy footed?

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to John_W]

no, not at all

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

That does sound like excessive wear in a very short time Leotigris. 🤔 For example I have multiple pairs of Brooks - mostly Revels but also some Ghosts and some trail shoes too, and apart from 2 newer pairs, they’re all individually into the high hundreds/even over a thousand kilometres of running. I only get new ones because I think I should, but to be honest they never feel any different. None of mine are worn out.

They aren’t super expensive models either, more mid range.

I don’t know what brand you’re wearing now, or whether you’ve had a gait analysis, but it might be worth treating yourself to one to see if your running style might be better suited to a different type of shoe. 😀

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheekychipmunks

[Reggit Marathon]

I reckon on 650-700km for my running shoes. Then they’ve still got 6-12 months of life in them as general dossing about trainers.

I usually wear ASICS as they suit my gait. As has been said the previous seasons colours come with a massive saving - I’m currently using a pair that’s 2 seasons old which I bought in an outlet shop in summer. £165 pair of trainers that came in at £100 - still think I paid too much for them as well 😂

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to Reggit]

thanks Reggit, that seems expensive to me

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Cost is no indication of how long a shoe will last. For instance, those new marathon supershoes at £400 are good for maybe one or two races only.

I've had between 500 and 800km from my shoes. Depending on how active I am that normally is six months of wear.

Usually the first bit to wear away is the sole at the ball of the foot as I land on my forefoot when running. And there's not much rubber in my shoes to start with!

Because Vibram FiveFingers are very much a Marmite shoe, I normally buy "nearly new" ones off eBay where the seller has "worn once or twice but didn't like it". I've usually been lucky to get pristine pairs in the £40-60 range.

I know my size (M46) and because of the uncertainty of supply try to have at least two "new" pairs available.

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to nowster]

thanks Nowster, I think you have confirmed my suspicion that paying more will not necessarily mean shoes that last longer.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

I rarely get more than 400 - 500 KM from my shoes. Sometimes they look ok but I start getting niggles in ankles and knees. Rotating two or three pairs can help them "bounce back" between runs.

Personally I don't recommend buying older models at reduced prices, the rubber can degrade while they are sitting on the shelves.

If they wear out very quickly I have no problem with returning them, most shops are pretty good at sorting this out, I even went direct to Mizuno earlier this year when the shop I bought a pair from closed down.

[Leotigris 10 Miles in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks Curlygurly 2, that's an interesting point you have made about rubber degrading when the shoes are still on the shelf. Maybe they need a sell by date!!!

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to Leotigris]

Or even in your spare bedroom, or where ever you keep your shoes. Never had a pair of Wellingtons that perished?