How often should running shoes be replaced?

[Felix N. Malinis]

I usually keep a pair of running shoes until they literally fall apart.
This usually takes about 3 years or so. Is this a wise move, or should I
change running shoes more often? I run an average of around 2000 miles per
year (35 - 40 miles per week). Fortunately, I've never had any major
injuries.

Thanks,

Felix

[Dave]

I change mine every 500 miles, thats every 13-14 weeks for you.

Felix N. Malinis wrote in message
<01be4896$a084bae0$fb04...@DCC2.superman.cig.mot.com>...

[Free Rangin' Chicken]

Felix N. Malinis wrote:

> I usually keep a pair of running shoes until they literally fall apart.
> This usually takes about 3 years or so. Is this a wise move, or should I
> change running shoes more often? I run an average of around 2000 miles per
> year (35 - 40 miles per week). Fortunately, I've never had any major
> injuries.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Felix

Felix, while you run more than I do, I wouldn't put more than about 600-700
miles on a pair of shoes, just based on what I've read (and felt, on my feet)
about the lack of cushioning after a certain point in the shoe's life span.

On the other hand, I would imagine that humans were running injury-free
without shoes of any kind for many thousands of years, so your experience
probably isn't all that freakish.

But... let's see, a pair of shoes, maybe $75. Reconstructive surgery, maybe
$7500. Hmm. I'd change the shoes twice a year to be on the safe side.

--Dirk

[Me2594]

> I usually keep a pair of running shoes until they literally fall apart.
>> This usually takes about 3 years or so. Is this a wise move, or should I
>> change running shoes more often? I run an average of around 2000 miles per
>> year (35 - 40 miles per week). Fortunately, I've never had any major
>> injuries.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Felix
>

>On the other hand, I would imagine that humans were running injury-free

>without shoes of any kind for many thousands of years, so your experience
>probably isn't all that freakish.
>

I agree with the last statement. I usually change my shoes about every 350-400
miles, depending on how my shins/legs feel, and finances. But, especially after
reading the posts in the last few weeks about running barefoot, the unnatural
way that todays shoes cause one's feet to land, etc., I say that if it works
for you, keep it up. If it ain't broke...

Happy Running,
Renee

[FreakOfNature]

Like you I do not engage in shoe promiscuity. I strive to develop a
meaningful and lasting relationship with my shoe. Right now I'm going
steady with an NB pair. I think we'll be together for at least 1500
miles. So far we done 783 and we have a wonderful relationship, the
uppers are holding up beautifully.

I do 30-40 miles weekly now at the age of 56. Been running for over 41
years in all kinds of footwear. Never had anything more than the usual
overuse syndromes.

Most running injuries can be attributed to lousy running form, improper
foot strike, and the like.

Injuries can't be prevented by vitamins, meditation, visualization or
yoga. Or shoes for that matter. One has to learn to run properly.

It's my opinion that the so_called running shoe prevents people from
learning how to run right.

Those who replace they shoes before 1000 miles rob themselves.

pete, the tightwad
who finances his shoe purchases by picking up empties along his running
routes

[Andrew Heiz]

Take your shoes to a running store and test drive a new pair, then see how the
old pair feels compared to the new pair. If the new shoes feel like running on
clouds compared to your old shoes you really need a new pair. If the new shoes
feel about the same as your old shoes you are fine. If the new pair feels worse
than the old pair then its time to look into new models.

Andrew Heiz

> The other thing I do is to place my shoes on a table, and look at the shoes
> from
> behind to see if they pronate too far in or out. If they do, I know it's
> time for
> new ones.
>
> Some may not agree, and say they can get thousands of miles out of a
> shoe. That's great if you can do it, but each individual is different.
>
> --
> Tom
> NYC Marathon 2000 trainee
>
> Felix N. Malinis <mali...@superman.cig.mot.com> wrote in article
> <01be4896$a084bae0$fb04...@DCC2.superman.cig.mot.com>...

[Tom Cotton]

Not for nothing, but many posts suggest a specific mileage where
you should buy a new pair of shoes, where you should really just
keep an eye on them, and look for signs of significant wear. The
most important thing I keep an eye out for is heavy wrinkling on the
middle cushioning. When this happens, your cushioning is pretty
much dead and you may want to get a new pair when this happens.
Even when you don't feel any pain, consider getting new ones. Hate to see
a fellow
harrier go down because they didn't replace their shoes when it was time.

[Thomas Raddatz]

Dave wrote:
>
> I change mine every 500 miles, thats every 13-14 weeks for you.
>

Only one pair?

I change my every half to one year, but I run with 4 pairs. Two slow one and two for
faster running like intervalls. And for races I have an extra one.

Of corse I'm running 100km/week. And I'm running most on the forefoot(correct
translation? Vorfuß?).

I look for signs of significant wear. Because I'm a forefootrunner the sole is very
fast rubbert down. Some shoes are run down in 3 months, and the cushining is realy
good, but they are lopsidedly ran down.

regards
thomas

"You cannot move mountains, if you believe them to be mountains.
You must think of them as collections of small stones,
Which can be moved on at a time, and then reassembled."
-- The Tao of Meow

[Ray Charbonneau]

You seem to be doing very well they way you are. Why change?
--
Ray "jealous" Charbonneau
R107 - End User Computing
The MITRE Corporation