8 replies to this topic

[ALBERS]

Does anyone know when you should ideally replace your running shoes? Is it based on the condition of the shoes? or the distance run in them (500-800km)? or the level of jarring that your legs feel?

[Action]

Hello Albers
Right up front I have to say that everyone is different - a popular saying on this site is "we are all an experiment of one".  In my case, I get about 1200k out of my Kayanos, but only about 800 out of Mizunos.  As you suggested, you develop a feel for when they are due to be ditched - hopefully before you start getting injuries.  The heavier you are the less kms.  After you have put 300 or so into a pair you should get a second pair to alternate, then you get a better feeling of when one pair is wearing out.  Action

[Ultraphil]

Rule of thumb told to me by a westfield legend was replace shoes every 600-800 kms!   can be a bit expensive though!

Phil

[chrisb]

Usually when the soles are becoming very worn and compressed.
For some reason the tops of my shoes wear out faster....I always get a little hole in the top above my right little toe. I'm not sure why this occurs since with the rubbing I should get a blister above that toe but I don't    
Does anybody have any suggestions for repairing the tops of shoes?

Cheers
Christine

[PEEKIE]

Every 600 - 800kms, but also depending on the wear of the shoe. If you run everyday it is best to have two pairs of runners to alternate between days, this gives the soles time to recover before they are pounding the pavement again. Espescially with long run training, the soles take 24 hours to return to normal from having been compressed and having had acted as shock absorbers.

[lezan]

Chrisb, like I was reading about myself. Are you a supinating forefoot striker? In my shoes the hole usually appears at the end of their lifetime anyway but it can be repaired. Cut out a bit of a mesh covering from the old shoes before you throw them away (good if you can match the colour too) and glue it inside the shoe over the hole. Use a little bit of glue and only the type which flexes when dry- like glue for rubber.

[chrisb]

Iezan,
Thanks for the tip about repairing shoes. I have an old pair that I can use. I am not a supinator.....I am very lucky because I don't suffer from any probs with gait. My arms get a bit lazy tho and I tend to drop them when I am tired or if I start to lose concerntration.
Cheers
Christine

[Judster]

I think at least 1500km. Shoe companies would prefer taking your money more than that though which is why they recommend less. I dont get injured going at least 1500km. After about 800km - stop doing speed sessions or endurance runs in them & you wont have any problems. Have two pairs in use at any given time.

[Evil Guru]

As said earlier everyone is different, what a huge range from 600 - 1500km.

I find that my knees and shins start to tell me when a pair of shoes is running out. I start to get some knee pain usually at around the 550-650km mark of my 2060-80s. Its then that I'll replace them. I've been doing this for the past 5 years and have suffered virtually no injuries.

However, its only recently that I've switched to the two pairs of shoes method so I'll see what I can get out of them now. Hopefully up to around 700kms. Although I'll only be using the old pair for short runs and on relatively soft surfaces.