How do running shoes break down?
When you put in the miles, your shoes undergo wear and tear.
Another place youll see visible wear is on the upper.
But these scrapes are usually a cosmetic issue, not a functional one.
you’ve got the option to patch them up or just run in them despite the holes.
What really matters is the cushioning on the inside.
It gets compressed with every step, and the more it gets squished, the less it bounces back.
Thats when its arguably time to replace them.
Howfastdo running shoes break down?
If youre a heavier runner, your shoes will wear out faster.
Another factor is how the shoes are made.
Some shoes are more durable and will last well beyond 500 miles.
Others are light and flimsy to start with, and you might be lucky to break 300.
How long can you wear your old running shoes?
I remember running in the same pair of Nikes for literal years without issue.
On the other hand, not all shoes break down uniformly.
The most recent models of my favorite Nikes (the Free Run) seem to break down quickly.
I’ve since switched to the Downshifter, a model that fits similarly but has more durable cushioning.
All of this is to say: just because youcankeep running in old shoes doesnt mean youshould.
When do you really need to replace your running shoes?
For example, seethis discussion in a running forum on Reddit.
One runner says, Yep, my running shoes become lawn mowing shoes somewhere between 700 and 800 miles.
Another uses a range of 600 to 800 kilometers (roughly 400 to 500 miles).
After about three scares at near the same mileage I figured it out and now replace 50 miles sooner.
I would rather buy one extra pair per year than injure myself."
Others go by feel.
I generally get 1,000 miles at least out of pairs.
I own about half a dozen pairs and rotate through them."
Rotating through a shoe collection reportedly helps to extend the life of shoes.
“The foam/insulation/support gets compressed from the constant banging and pressure of running.
Comparing new and old shoes ismy own preferred method.
