How to Know When It’s Time to Buy New Sneakers
Running shoe manufacturers state that you need to change your running shoe every 300-500 miles. If you follow their recommendations, you will throw away shoes that may look brand new. How do you know if you really need a new pair? It turns out there is a quick way to answer your question.
It’s very simple: order yourself a new pair of shoes that you like. (Same model, same size, if you’re smart.) Then try on one of your new shoes and slide the older copy on your other foot.
If the difference between the two is day and night, it’s time to throw away your old shoes, recycle them, or send them off to mow the lawn. If they seem about the same or close enough, keep wearing the old ones a little longer. How big is the difference? Let your feet tell you. If you don’t mind what seems a little more flattering, the choice is yours. Eventually, your old shoes will become so frayed that a new pair will feel like heaven by comparison.
You can take this test at a shoe store if you don’t want to fork out for new shoes, but I prefer to order a pair. First, during a pandemic, it is safer to shop online (feel free to buy them from your local running store). But more importantly, you will need these new shoes someday , if not now. I love to keep an eye on end-of-season sales and buy a spare pair at a suitable price, which I then store in the back of my closet until needed. Then you will always have a new pair ready, and you can make this comparison any time you want.