Sometimes shoes can be more than a sport equipment. From your running buddies in the early mornings to often being your support in trekking, shoes have always been your trusted companions.
And just like real friendships, this companionship also ends with you having to say goodbye to your favorite pair of shoes. But worry not; you can always rekindle that early morning bond with a new pair!
Below is the guide to help you determine when you can let go of your old shoes and get yourself new ones.
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Determine Your Miles
The first question that strikes our mind before buying another pair is: How often to replace running shoes? Running shoes should be replaced after every 500 miles. If you experience discomfort while running with your old shoes, know that your shoes have worn out now.
Continuing with the old pair can affect your legs and knees, leading to stress in the joints. Therefore, getting a new pair is better than compromising your health with the old ones.
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The Degree of Damage
The cause of discomfort can come from your damaged shoes, especially from the soles. A pair of running shoes should always have a broad and thick sole to absorb shocks while you are in the movement.
The soles of the shoes often start to thin and lose under the balls of the foot due to extreme pressure. This reduces friction between the shoes and the ground, causing you to slip on smooth surfaces.
Worn-out soles also ruin the padding inside the shoes, which can cause you injury when you’re walking or running with your old shoes. The more damaged your shoes are, the earlier they should be replaced. Hence, replace your shoes as soon as they start showing signs of wearing out.
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Where You Run Matters
In case you prefer running on concrete rather than grass, you should keep in mind to constantly check your shoes as they wear out faster this way.
A regular pair of running shoes usually lasts around 500 miles. But if you are a regular runner who prefers to run on the concrete, your shoes may not last around 500 miles due to compression caused by the concrete on the soles. Shoes start wearing out after reaching their limit and cause trouble while running.
Continuous use of old shoes can cause sore feet, body aches and joint pain. Due to worn-out soles and padded lining, one may have a sprain or a fall. So, once your shoes have served their purpose, replace them with new ones.
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How you feel while Running
Running shoes should be bouncy so that you can run efficiently. If your shoes stop feeling bouncy while running, it is time to buy new ones.
Shoes are bouncy because of their thick soles and soft padding inside. When the sole of the shoes and the padding start thinning, the shoes lose their bounce. It is another sign of shoes wearing out.
A lost bounce in the shoes can cause you to put in more effort and tire you down while running. It is recommended to stop using your running shoes when they show signs of lost bounce.
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Twist your shoes
The best method to know if you have to replace your shoes or not is the twist method. Simply take one shoe in your hand and twist it. If it twists slightly, your shoes are still good to go. But if your shoe wrings like a towel, you need to invest in a new pair right away.
Twisting your shoes determines the strength of the sole. If the sole is firm and can still last, your shoe will not twist much. But if the sole of your shoe is worn out, it will twist.
How to increase the life of your running shoes?
Shoes absorb a lot of pressure and shock while you are running. To increase their life, you must keep them clean and dry whenever wet. Furthermore, water and dirt can affect the life of your shoes negatively. Therefore, it is also recommended not to wash your shoes too often.
Try running on the grass instead of the concrete as it keeps the sole of your shoes safe. It is also best if you use two pairs of running shoes alternatively so that the used pair can get enough time to repair from pressure and stress.
Conclusion
Giving up your favorite old running shoes can be tough at times. But continuing with them can also affect your health significantly. To recognize when your running shoes need a replacement, consider the above factors.
Running shoes should give you comfort and be your exercise buddy. Hence, it is wise to replace your old shoes before they start affecting you negatively.
