When You Really Need to Replace Your Running Shoes, According to Reddit
You’ve probably heard the advice that running shoes are only good for 300 to 500 miles and after that the cushioning is so degraded that it could lead to injury. But that’s not always the case, and there are more ways to figure out when to throw away shoes than just counting miles.
How do sneakers break?
As you gain miles, your shoes wear out. The first thing you’ll notice is wear on the underside of the tread, but that’s normal; there should be more than enough rubber underfoot to last the life of the shoe.
Another place where you will see visible wear is at the top. Maybe you have a tendency to form holes in the area of your toes where your big toenail rubs; maybe you run trails and tend to scratch your sides. But these scratches are usually a cosmetic issue, not a functional one. You can patch them up or just run around in them despite the holes.
What really matters is the cushioning inside. It shrinks with every step, and the more you squeeze it, the less it bounces back. There will come a time in the life of every running shoe when it provides significantly less cushioning than when it was new. That’s when it might be time to replace them.
How quickly do running shoes wear out?
The 300 to 500 mile rule is beneficial to property owners because it requires you to change your shoes while they can still look like new. But it’s true: 300 to 500 miles is indeed the range where depreciation tends to reach the end of its life.
However, there are many different factors at work here besides mileage. If you are a heavier runner, your shoes will wear out faster. And if you’re lighter, you may get more mileage out of your shoes than you would otherwise expect.
Another factor is the way the shoes are made. Some shoes are more durable and can last over 500 miles. Others are light and flimsy at first, and you might be lucky enough to smash a 300. I sometimes buy kids running shoes if I can find them in the right size for me, but they tend to be less durable and their cushioning doesn’t help. t last so long.
How long can you wear old sneakers?
I remember running the same pair of Nikes for literally a few years without any problems. I bought these around the time that barefoot running shoes and minimalist shoes were in vogue and I actually bought these because they had less cushioning than other models so I figured if I needed the smallest possible depreciation, why should I worry about replacement? shoes just because the cushioning has worn out?
I ended up buying a new pair for other reasons, but the logic is correct: if you don’t need extra cushioning and your frayed shoes are still comfortable, you can keep running in them for as long as you like them. .
On the other hand, not all shoes wear out the same way. I’ve had shoes where one sole would start to feel a little lumpy or weird, and that could definitely lead to discomfort (or possibly even injury) over time. Just because you can keep running in your old running shoes doesn’t mean you should .
When do you really need to replace your running shoes?
This question was recently discussed on the working Reddit forum . Some people keep track of their miles, but they learn from experience rather than trusting a number just because they read it somewhere online. One runner says, “Yes, my shoes become turf shoes somewhere between 700 and 800 miles.” Another uses a range of 600 to 800 kilometers (approximately 400 to 500 miles). Another gives a more detailed explanation:
In fact, I’ve started to decrease the mileage on some brands because it [gradual knee pain] has gone from ‘it’s okay’ is-seriously.
After about three frights on almost the same mileage, I figured it out and am now changing out 50 miles early. I’d rather buy one extra pair a year than hurt myself.
Others go by feel:
I take off my shoes not as I run, but when it becomes uncomfortable to run in it or it falls apart. I usually drive 1000 miles from at least couples.
With this run, the soles will be nowhere near as soft as when they were new, but I don’t get any injuries if they go that long. I have about half a dozen pairs and I rotate them.
Changing the shoe collection is reported to help prolong the life of the shoe. (Tip: If you do this, be sure to keep track of your running app’s run time or it’ll be hard to remember how much you ran in each shoe.) One Reddit user has the receipts:
The fact that you spin them certainly contributes to their longevity. The foam/insulation/support compresses due to the constant impact and pressure of running. Giving them time to “rest” (completely dry and expand again) adds a significant amount of life to them. I have found that I get about 500 miles of amazing cushioning from Hokas when spinning every other day, not just about 350-400 with daily use. That’s an increase of at least 25%, and at over $100 for a pair of shoes, the savings add up quickly over time.
You can also combine these approaches:
I found myself naturally choosing shoes with fewer miles after a certain point because I can’t run that many miles in one session in an old pair without pain. At this point, top pair is reserved for those days when I don’t have much time to run. When I finally put away the older pair, I open the box from the closet.
The advantage of this approach is that you can feel the difference between good cushioning and worn cushioning without having to go to the shoe store. I prefer to compare new and old shoes.
Just one warning about stashing in your closet: Cushioning can break with age even if you haven’t run in it, so older shoes may have a shorter lifespan to begin with.