Running Shoes Don’t Last Forever.
We all know that every piece of shoe is going to be expire — there is no shoe that lasts forever.
Sure, they’re tough they take us mile after mile after mile but they get squashed on the asphalt, they get scraped up, they get caked in mud, they get left out in the sun, they get sweated in and left in your car and all kinds of beat up and each one of those things takes life off of your shoes.
As a general rule, you should need to change your running shoes after expiry (in a range of miles not a period of time).
However, many people have found that their shoes are worn out faster than the company actually says.
why does it happen?
Let’s discuss that later in this article
Before that, let’s discuss what you get from this article.
This article is all about things you need to know about the lifespan of a running shoe.
You’ll learn what the lifespan of a shoe means, on average how long a pair of running shoes lasts, what part is worn out first, why your shoes wear out fast, how can you make your running shoes last longer, and a few extra tips! Read below to get started.
The lifespan of a running shoe can vary depending on a number of factors, including the frequency and intensity of use, the quality of the shoe, and the running surface. On average, a good quality running shoe can last between 300 to 500 miles or approximately 4 to 6 months for someone who runs 20 to 30 miles per week. However, some runners may need to replace their shoes more frequently if they have a heavier stride or run on more abrasive surfaces.
It’s important to note that running shoes also have a limited lifespan even if they are not being used, as materials can degrade over time. It’s recommended to replace running shoes every 6 to 8 months, even if they haven’t been worn out from regular use.
It’s important to pay attention to signs that your shoes may need to be replaced, such as noticeable wear and tear, loss of cushioning or support, or discomfort or pain while running. Wearing shoes that are past their lifespan can increase the risk of injury and decrease performance. Therefore, it’s important to invest in a good quality pair of running shoes and replace them regularly to ensure a safe and enjoyable running experience.
What is the lifespan of running shoes? what does it mean?
Basically, the life span of a running shoe means how many miles they carry you.
Some people measure the lifespan in a period of time (for example some months or years).
But it’s not the proper way to measure your shoe’s life, experts say to measure your shoe life span in miles.
There are many factors affecting the lifespan of your shoes, like what materials are used, what type of runner you are, how do you clean them, and more…
Let’s discuss that later in this article.
Now let’s come to the point.
You may have a question in your mind — On average how many miles do a running shoe last?
The answer totally depends upon you. However, in normal cases, a running shoe lasts about 300 to 500 miles — some last a little bit more than that, some wear out faster.
Which part of the shoe wears out first?
Usually, the outer side of your shoe sole wears out faster than other parts. This is happening because of the walking style.
Overpronation is a very common condition that affects millions of people. So that many people find out that it’s also a common cause of early shoe-wearing out.
Many people think that when they overpronate, the inner side of the sole wears out first, but it’s not true.
Footminders say most people, whether they over-pronate or not, strike the ground with the outside of the heel first; it’s part of our natural walking motion — so the probability of wearing out the outer part of your shoe sole is high.
Pro Tip: The fact is that the wrong caring of your shoes can reduce the lifespan of your shoes. So, properly washing and drying your shoes is an important thing to extend the lifespan of your shoes.
Which sole will wear out early and which is long-lasting?
There are many types of materials used to made shoe soles — Rubber, Leather, PVC, Polyurethane, EVA, and more.
Every sole is unique to itself with its durability, traction, and shock-absorbing capacity.
But, according to many users’ experiences, I would say rubber soles are more durable and long-lasting than other soles. And the wedge soles (Christy soles) are super soft soles used for many modern boots, they tend to get damaged faster than other types of soles.
What your shoes can tell you
A person who pronates or is more flat-footed will tend to have more of wear kind of coming in and across the inside portion of the shoe.
And people who do the opposite of pronate which is called supinate have this kind of wear pattern in their shoes.
Supinators are more likely to have ankle sprains, shin splints, calluses, bunions, and things like that because they’re constantly rolling on the outside portion of the shoe.
How to know when your running shoes are worn out?
Okay so, how do you tell if your shoes are worn out?
So, let’s run through some ways to tell if your running shoes are worn out.
The number one thing is exactly what most people were feeling some nagging aches and pains in their feet and these pains can always be a sign of other injuries it’s a good idea to start with your shoes now if your pain persists for more than one run, it might be time for a new pair of shoes.
Now you may not be feeling those aches and pains but every step might feel flat that’s because the bouncy midsole of a new pair of shoes or shoes with life left in them absorbs the impact of every step.
And this saves your feet and your joints from taking an extra beating.
As your shoe age though the foam loses its ability to rebound like it used to and it really starts to feel like you’ve sort of put a brick on top of a marshmallow.
It’s not a good feeling.
You may notice some uneven wear pattern on the bottom of your shoes that’s probably a sign that it’s time to get a new pair.
If that wear pattern has removed lugs and is digging into the midsole of the shoe it might also be a sign that you’re not wearing the right shoes.
When you notice a weird wear pattern on the bottom of your shoes it’s a good idea to take that pair with you to the store when you get outfitted.
The outsoles of your running shoes have to tread just like the tires on your car, and that helps to cushion your landings and grip the pavement.
But the ground is abrasive, especially if you primarily run-on concrete and asphalt. If your souls sport bald patches and excessive wear they won’t serve you as well as a new pair.
Do heavier runners wear out shoes faster? Explained
If you have 25 or more body mass index (BMI) or weight over 90 kg you are a heavy runner as per general rule. It is no wonder that shoes for heavy runners wear out faster than others. Because more weight equals more pressure on your shoes this will lead to faster wearing out.
Some of you have a question in your mind — How often should heavy runners replace shoes?
As a general rule, you may consider changing your running shoes between every 300 to 500 miles. But in the case of heavy runners, it might be lower to 300 miles.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this article interesting and useful.
With that, it’s time to hear what you have to say.
Now you may have a clear idea about the life span of a running shoe.
Or maybe you have a question.
Either way, let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
