When to Replace Shoes?
From the mother of the 10 year old engaging constantly in active play, to the 80 year old diabetic patient who is largely inactive to the runner who runs 70 miles each week, everyone wants to know when they should purchase a new pair of shoes.
We all know that shoes do not last forever. Most people, however, continue to wear them well after their useful life has ended. Most commonly in my office I'll have people tell me that their shoes are three years old BUT (insert excuse here...). Some of my favorites, it fits my feet perfectly (meaning it's broken down), the heel is worn out just how I like it (meaning it has a hole inside the shoe), new shoes just bother me (meaning that I've worn these for so long, the support is too different at this point), and my favorite: They still look new.
Yes, they still look new. When all you do is run on the treadmill, use the elliptical, and some stationary bike, and your shoes never see the light of day, of course they look new. What's problematic is the part you don't see.
The support and function of a running shoe has little or nothing to do with the overall appearance of the upper part of the shoe or even the sole. It's the midsole, the portion of the sole that is largely invisible from the outside, which has the most function and limits the useful lifetime of a shoe. With every stride, the midsole compresses and, with time, loses the majority of its support. For runners, I estimate the useful lifetime of a running shoe at approximately 350-550 miles. For those who really don't run regularly, or participate in other sports and activities that can't be measured by mileage, your shoes should be replaced every 4-6 months, depending on the frequency and level of the activity.
So start keeping track of the life of your shoes. Dedicate a pair of shoes (or more) exclusively for exercise to get the most out of its useful life. Keep a tally of the mileage in your running journal, or even on the side of the shoe in pen. Write the date of the shoe on the tongue or the outsole of the shoe so you really know how old it is. You can check for signs of wear on the sole by placing your old shoes on a table and looking at them from behind. If the soles are worn and leaning to one side, the midsole cushioning is probably worn as well.
Other signs to look for in your aging shoes include:
• Look for creasing of the midsole material in areas of high load (under the heel or the ball of the foot). A worn out midsole will have wrinkles and creases there.
• Try to twist the shoe. A worn out midsole will allow the shoe to twist more easily than a new shoe.
• Try on a new pair of the model that you are currently wearing. Compare this to your current shoes. If the cushioning in your shoes feels dead in comparison, it probably is.
Just like the tread on your tires, you must constantly be looking for wear on your shoes. In your car worn tires may cause an accident, but we often overlook that injuries are much more likely in worn out shoes as well. Like tires, you can help prevent the normal wear and tear. By rotating your shoes daily between 2-3 pair, taking them off properly by unlacing them and removing them by hand and lastly having shoes dedicated to certain activities for example if you run, you would want to have a pair of shoes you use only for running, you can significantly lengthen the shelf-life of your shoes.
From the mother of the 10 year old engaging constantly in active play, to the 80 year old diabetic patient who is largely inactive to the runner who runs 70 miles each week, everyone wants to know when they should purchase a new pair of shoes.
We all know that shoes do not last forever. Most people, however, continue to wear them well after their useful life has ended. Most commonly in my office I'll have people tell me that their shoes are three years old BUT (insert excuse here...). Some of my favorites, it fits my feet perfectly (meaning it's broken down), the heel is worn out just how I like it (meaning it has a hole inside the shoe), new shoes just bother me (meaning that I've worn these for so long, the support is too different at this point), and my favorite: They still look new.
Yes, they still look new. When all you do is run on the treadmill, use the elliptical, and some stationary bike, and your shoes never see the light of day, of course they look new. What's problematic is the part you don't see.
The support and function of a running shoe has little or nothing to do with the overall appearance of the upper part of the shoe or even the sole. It's the midsole, the portion of the sole that is largely invisible from the outside, which has the most function and limits the useful lifetime of a shoe. With every stride, the midsole compresses and, with time, loses the majority of its support. For runners, I estimate the useful lifetime of a running shoe at approximately 350-550 miles. For those who really don't run regularly, or participate in other sports and activities that can't be measured by mileage, your shoes should be replaced every 4-6 months, depending on the frequency and level of the activity.
So start keeping track of the life of your shoes. Dedicate a pair of shoes (or more) exclusively for exercise to get the most out of its useful life. Keep a tally of the mileage in your running journal, or even on the side of the shoe in pen. Write the date of the shoe on the tongue or the outsole of the shoe so you really know how old it is. You can check for signs of wear on the sole by placing your old shoes on a table and looking at them from behind. If the soles are worn and leaning to one side, the midsole cushioning is probably worn as well.
Other signs to look for in your aging shoes include:
• Look for creasing of the midsole material in areas of high load (under the heel or the ball of the foot). A worn out midsole will have wrinkles and creases there.
• Try to twist the shoe. A worn out midsole will allow the shoe to twist more easily than a new shoe.
• Try on a new pair of the model that you are currently wearing. Compare this to your current shoes. If the cushioning in your shoes feels dead in comparison, it probably is.
Just like the tread on your tires, you must constantly be looking for wear on your shoes. In your car worn tires may cause an accident, but we often overlook that injuries are much more likely in worn out shoes as well. Like tires, you can help prevent the normal wear and tear. By rotating your shoes daily between 2-3 pair, taking them off properly by unlacing them and removing them by hand and lastly having shoes dedicated to certain activities for example if you run, you would want to have a pair of shoes you use only for running, you can significantly lengthen the shelf-life of your shoes.
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