Yes, we all have that pair of shoes that fit us perfectly. But then comes the big question. How Many Miles Are Running Shoes Good For. Because clearly, we don't want those shoes to stop working for us, right? That's why in this article, we're going to delve into this topic.
How important are the miles we put on our running shoes?
This is of utmost importance. There are a large number of runners around the world who neglect this. However, neglecting the miles on your shoes can be a big mistake. That's why if you're asking yourself how many miles are running shoes good for, it's a good starting point.
Paying attention to the miles on our shoes is very important. The first point of this importance lies in the fact that a very worn shoe can cause injuries. That's right, and it's not that I want to scare you or anything like that, but it's totally true that a poorly cared for and worn shoe can make a runner more likely to get injured. It also helps improve performance, as a shoe in good condition will undoubtedly make you have a better stride and rhythm when training or participating in your next running event.
Signs that it's time to replace your running shoes
Okay, so you know it's very important to know what condition your shoes are in. But how can you tell when it's time to replace them? The good news is that there are some signs that occur, so if you have a pair of shoes that you're wondering if it's time to throw them in the trash can, you can immediately go check them and see if any of this is happening.
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Visible wear: Everything enters through the eyes, right? Well, with your shoes, it's no exception. If your shoes already look very worn visually, then that's clearly a first sign. You should especially look at the outer sole of the shoe. Also check if there's any strange fold in the midsole that it didn't have when you bought it, that's also an indication that they're reaching the end of their cycle.
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Loss of cushioning: Remember when you bought your shoes? You probably loved feeling the cushioning when walking, especially if you bought maximalist shoes. However, if you suspect that your shoe is already in the final stages of its useful life, you should check how the cushioning feels. An alert is if you feel a sensation of hardness when stepping, especially if you didn't feel it before. That can be an indicator that it's time to change.
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Pain or discomfort when running: I remember in an anime series I watched many years ago, a character said, pain is your friend. By this, I mean that pain warns you that something is not right. If you feel discomfort or pain, it can be due to many causes, but it can also occur due to a worn shoe. Especially if you have pain in the soles of your feet or if blisters that you didn't have before started to appear.
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Decrease in your athletic performance: If you're feeling that your performance has decreased in recent weeks, maybe you should check your shoes. Especially if this point matches with 1 and 2. Some people who run with very worn shoes have said that they feel more fatigue in the lower part of their legs. This can be due to a worn running shoe losing elasticity and responsiveness, which in turn makes you lose performance.
If, when analyzing your running shoes, you have many of these points in common, then it's likely that when you asked yourself, how many miles are running shoes good for, it's because maybe your shoes need an urgent change.
How many miles are running shoes good for
Alright, now let's answer what you came to read. How many miles are running shoes good for? The answer to this question can be very varied. And it depends on the type of use you want to give your shoes. But as a general rule, it's said to be in a range of 300 to 500 miles. Or if you prefer in kilometers, you could think about 450 kilometers.
Now, if you're wondering how often you should change them in time? That's super relative, since all runners are different, some run more times a week and others only a couple of days. Because of that, the calculation is usually done by the number of miles of use rather than by time.
But if we calculate an average training of running, we could be thinking that they should be changed every 4 or 6 months approximately.
How can you extend the useful life of your running shoes?
I know running shoes aren't cheap, especially if you buy certain brands. For the same reason, it's very important to take care of them and do some strategies to stretch the useful life of your running shoes. Let's look at some tips for that:
Rotate between multiple pairs of shoes: If you have the possibility, having more than one pair of shoes can be very good. Rotating between them in training has several positive factors. First because you stretch the useful life, that is, they will take less time to get completely damaged. And second because you'll get your body used to running with different shoes and on different surfaces. This also makes your shoe decompress between each training session.
Perform cleaning and maintenance constantly: Check the shoe instructions and perform the corresponding care. If there are no relevant instructions, you can always google for your exact model to see the specific care you should have. As a general rule, it's very important that you remove the dirt that sticks to the shoe after training, and remove any residue that may remain between the sole. Also, sometimes some small stones get in between the folds of the shoe's sole, it's important to remove them so that the shoe doesn't get damaged when using them again.
Use your shoes only for running: Yes, those shoes look good on you, and for the same reason you want to use them always. But using them to go to work, or go shopping at the supermarket, is not the best way to take care of them. Think that if you use them for walking in day-to-day life, you're giving them extra mileage that you could use running. So, if your shoe is for running, use it only for running.
Store your shoes in a safe place: By this I don't mean they should be in a safe with a code. I mean keep them indoors, in a dry place, that isn't humid. Don't leave them in the yard or uncovered terrace either, as you run the risk of them getting damaged by sun, or by rain, depending on the weather you have in your city. The best is to keep them in a cool and dry place.
Final considerations to keep in mind with your running shoes
We've already answered how many miles are running shoes good for, however, it's always good to analyze more points that can help you when understanding the importance of timely replacement of shoes.
Something you may already know is that there are different types of running shoes. Therefore, you should use a running shoe for the type of race you do, your weight, type of surface, types of footfall, etc. All these factors can influence the wear associated with your running shoe.
For example, trail shoes usually have a longer duration than street running shoes. This happens because trail running shoes are usually manufactured to be more resistant due to the conditions of the trail terrain, which is usually dirt, unevenness, rocks, etc.
You should also remember that the type of terrain you train on has an important impact on the useful life of your shoes. So analyze well what is the surface on which you usually train, and based on that choose a shoe that adapts.
Lastly, consider tracking the mileage of your shoes. Something that more experienced runners do is keep a mileage journal of the shoes. For example, you can write down the date you acquired them. And then keep adding the amount of mileage you're carrying. You can take this mileage from the application or tracking watch you use to train.
I hope this article has helped you learn more about how many miles are running shoes good for and about some considerations to keep in mind when analyzing the useful life of your shoes. Read more articles in our blog
