8 replies to this topic

[The Mule]

Do any of the CR shoe gurus have any tips on how to tell if your shoes have had enough?

I don't log my k's so I have no idea how far I have run in them so some indication of the telltale signs for shoe retirement would be handy before I try to convince Mrs Mule that I need to buy another pair. :D

I have heard something about visible crinkling in the heel cushioning indicating that the shock absorption is no longer working, is this correct? :unsure:

Cheers,
The Mule

[phYx]

When you notice that wrinkling in your shoes it's definitely time to buy a new pair. The wrinkles are fine and horizontal, and you can see they have just compressed too much and will not decompress... but I think by then it's a bit late (I get more injuries before I notice the wrinkles). My shoes start to feel a hard (ie not bouncey) about a month or two before they go wrinkley. I would say it's best to buy new shoes before that stage.

[Donald Scott]

The Mule,
Imagine a car tyre, it has what is known as a 32nd Bar in the tread. Once the tyre reaches is point it is regarded as illegal.

The same could be said for joggers.

The soles of joggers are usually made of an EVA compound which is a cellular structure therefore give bounce. When the cells collapse it is also time to replace sole.
If the upper is OK another alternative is to have the sole replaced.
Once a bald spot is noticed on the sole time to change or resole.

Don Scott
Podiatrist
ESWT Therapist

[Digsy]

It depends a little on what sort of stride pattern you have.

If you are a heavy plodder - landing quite firmly through your heel, then my guess is that you're probably a pretty big pronator as well. This means that you are going to be relying quite heavily on the systems in your shoe being up to scratch. Thus, always make sure that they are fresh and spanking new.

If you are a lighter forefoot/toe runner - then you are likely to have a good strong arch, even slightly supinated. You probably don't rely quite as heavily on your shoes systems for absorption and can get away with the old shoes for a little longer.

Overall - a bit like the car theory. don't wait until you hit a car before you replace your pads. Don't wait until you feel pain before you replace your shoes. You should notice that something about your stride just doesn't quite feel right, a little harder or heavier, before you get pain. This is a good sign that some new shods are in need.

[monaltrie]

Agree with all the above and wear and tear or at least evidence of same on the sole is a good indicatation. Also ths time of year with the heat and specifically the humidity the sweat in the shoe tends to cause stretching of the shoe fabric which causes more movement of the foot within the shoe.

[vat]

This highlights a good reason to cycle through two or more pairs of shoes at a time, with different mileages.

I use the analogy of the spongy brake pedal in your car - it happens very gradually, so you don't realise how soft the brake pedal is until you get into another car.

If you have a pair of shoes that are getting on a bit, and another fresher pair, you'll get a much better idea of how the older shoes are feeling.

If I've got doubts about how the older shoes are feeling, I'll usually cycle them into grass running duties to squeeze extra miles out of them.

[The Mule]

Thanks again one and all!

Looks like it's time to get some new shoes or start saving for the physio/podiatrist bills! :)

Now for the hard bit, negotiating an advance from the Minister for Fun & Finance! :D

Cheers,
The Mule

[Steve 'The Footman']

I disagree about using wrinkles and outsole wear as determining if your shoes are dead.

Many compression molded EVA's will have those wrinkles when they come out of the box. And most will have some wrinkling after the first run. It is simply a normal effect due to the skin of the compression molded EVA block being slightly more rigid than the rest of the midsole.

For runners outsole wear has nothing to do with the shoe being dead unless you scrape your foot on contact and wear excessively. Most runners will find that their shoes have been dead a long time by the time their outsoles are worn out.

The part that wears out the quickest for most runners is the cushioning in the forefoot. This is the thinest part of the midsole and usually has the most torsional and shearing force. The cushioning may be gone when the shoe still looks good.

Wear is the most common cause of footwear related injury.
Shoes are thought to last between 600 and 1000 kms
Figure out many kilometres a week you run and how long you have had your shoes, then work it out.
20km per week means 12 months max,
40 kms 6 months,
80kms 3 months.

TIPS ON HOW TO TELL YOUR SHOES ARE DEAD:

• The midsole has lost its resiliance (does not bounce back) and resistance (too easy to compress)
• Your legs feel like they are being pounded while exercising
• You are making a slapping sound
• You have sore muscles after exercising
• Little niggling pains bother you
• It becomes a struggle to get out and exercise
• Your shoes look deformed or are tilting when viewed from the back.
• Your laces can not be done up any tighter
• You have worn through to the midsole
• Your shoes are over a year old
• You have gone more than 1000km
• Feeling stones through the forefoot indicates the midsole has lost its cushioning.

Injury in itself may be an indication that shoes are dead.

DEAD SHOE TEST
But the easiest thing to do is the dead shoe test:
Bend the forefoot back the opposite way it normally flexes when running.
If there is resistance then there is usually cushioning

[tosarunner]

I use the wrinkle test like some others. The midsole foam compresses vertically and loses height. If you put the next to a identical new pait they're a lot lower. Depending on the shoe and your size this might be too late.

Keeping some track of miles helps. Most shoes are on the way out between 400 and 500 miles for me, though Ive' pushed furhter at times. But I weigh 182 pounds and smaller runners might get more miles. But it's miles of pounding under a given wieght that decides it, not time.

I can feel it in my legs when the shoes gets old. I get a kind of soreness and ache that I don't normally have and that rminds me to get a new pair.