When do I get new shoes?

I run about 2000 miles on a pair of shoes before I go to a new pair (but I will still run in that old pair in the rain or whenever I feel like it). I buy 2 pair once a year. The more worn your shoes are the less likely you are to get a foot, Achilles, knee, or hip injury. I have a pair that I still run in that have about 10,000 miles on them.

This 300-500 is nonsense - just companies trying to sell more shoes.

It depends. Only you can answer this question for yourself.

You know the rough rules of thumb. You know they vary by shoe, by person, by terrain etc. Figure it out.

Are you really so dependent that you need others to answer this for you?

I'm just asking if there is some sort of test you can do or if there is something you look for on the bottom of the shoes. Thanks for your help

Yes, look for excessive wear on the bottom of your shoes and pay attention to new fatigue/aches in your knees and legs. I buy new shoes every 4 months or sooner. That said, I'm dealing with AT right now and may have a torn calf muscle to top it all off. So, a major disclaimer: take my advice with a huge grain of salt.

When coach buys you new shoes.

Ass Much? wrote:

I'm just asking if there is some sort of test you can do or if there is something you look for on the bottom of the shoes. Thanks for your help

Yes, there is a specific sign. It works for all shoes, all people. It is when the blue rubber bit behind the black rubber bit gets really thin. After this point, you need to do 5x1k at 5k pace with 1:30 rest (2:00 is too much). Evaluate your calf stiffness the next morning. if calf stiffness is greater than 6/10, replace shoes IMMEDIATELY.

Do this test weekly after you have run 300 miles in a given pair of shoes (only if the blue rubber sign is positive, of course)

Or just think a bit.

You're welcome.

I have a pair of Pearl Izumis with almost 1,500 miles on them. Not quite ready to retire them, but close.

I had a pair of the Nike Zoom Wildhorse trail running shoes that only lasted about 250 miles before the tread wore off almost completely and I couldn't get any traction from them.

I've done about 5-600 miles on some Flyknit Lunars (a couple of pairs) before I felt they needed replacing.

I always feel like a p**** when I read these threads as I typically go 300-350 miles. Have gone as high as 500 but that was long ago. Maybe because I worked in running specialty and bought into it? Maybe because my legs feel better running 100 mile weeks in fresh shoes? I just really don't like getting hurt so if it helps I usually do it. Ryan hall said he changes shoes every 200 miles. Seriously I think it just depends on the person and shoe. Height/weight, ability level, foot strike, preference, stability/cushion level in shoe etc. I wish there was a specific answer but there really isn't. In running stores they do the bend test (how easy the shoe bends/flexes) which also doesn't work as some people love a super flexible shoe while others are more like to get PF, AT etc with a flexible shoe. Just got to pay attention and figure out what works for you.

when there's a hole in the bottom. Ive followed this rule since high school, and have never got injured. the 300 mile thing is bogus. run until they fall apart, which can be different for different people. for me its a hole in the bottom, my sister usually has the upper fall apart first. I would say on average i hit about 600 miles, but thats with wave universes that are only like 12 mm thick to begin with. with thicker shoes, 1000+

You change every 300 mi doing 100 mpw sometimes? That must get expensive. I couldn't imagine buying shoes every 3 weeks.