Bought a pair of Saucony Freedom ISO at $50, my friend called me an idiot.

Running Shoes/Running Gear Shoes

5 years ago 01/15/2019 7:33am EST

So it happened that I bought a pair of Freedom ISO which were made in late 2016, because the price was quite good, and I felt okay walking in them, with a bit of running mixed in for a while.

My friend, however, called me an idiot and said I should never buy an old pair of shoes, because they will break down as fast as 6 months even if unused. 2 years is way too much, and I am asking for injuries if I run in them

So, my question to you shoe gurus here is: is he right? I try walking in it around my house, and so far I haven't felt anything wrong with them. They still feel as fresh as a brand new shoe.

5 years ago 01/15/2019 7:45am EST

re: Doshoeshaveashelflife

It's all lies brought to you by the shoe industry..they want you to wear the "newest" because, well, they make more money off of them.

They say all this crap about degradation of materials, foam, blah blah blah.

None of this is true.

5 years ago 01/15/2019 8:11am EST

re: Doshoeshaveashelflife

There's nothing wrong with them, they won't break down that quickly just sitting there. Would probably take a decade or more to start degrading from sitting there. I often buy last year's model simply because they're cheaper and not much usually changes from year to year. They're sold so cheap because they want to get rid of them and make way for the new stuff.

5 years ago 01/15/2019 8:58am EST

re: Doshoeshaveashelflife

The biggest hurt to shoes I’ve ever experienced was a brand new pair that I left in a car on a 100 degree day. I got them out to run and they had turned to marshmallow. In that starte, that one run destroyed them.

5 years ago 01/15/2019 9:38am EST

re: Heat bad.

Same with extreme cold.

In general, an older pair of shoes will be just fine. But if it was stored in a warehouse that might have seen a wide range of temps, they could break down faster.

Probably not in one run, unless it is like what the previous poster said. But if the brand new version gets you 300+ miles, maybe this old pair gets you 200 or 250. But at $50, those miles are totally worth it.

5 years ago 01/15/2019 9:45am EST

re: Doshoeshaveashelflife

Also, keep in mind that Freedoms are TPU and not EVA. TPU, among other things, is generally significantly more resistant to wear and compression than is EVA. They are among the best shoes made in the past 5 years, both in terms of comfort and durability.

The upper will tear long before the midsole wears out, I can almost guarantee you.

5 years ago 01/21/2019 2:15pm EST

re: Doshoeshaveashelflife

I won a pair at a race and really haven't been impressed by them. They are too soft to run in, not only do they slow you down massively but they kinda throw off my form.

On the positive, I love wearing them to work. I have to stand a lot and they really help on achey post-race work days.

5 years ago 01/21/2019 3:45pm EST

re: Doshoeshaveashelflife

I have studied the subject in depth and have corresponded with a major shoe manufacturer. What I found is what should be obvious: All things, all material start breaking down, no matter if used or not. Running shoes do in fact degrade without use. Two years from release date is usually a good deadline. Any more than this and at least the performance may be affected. Personally I would not take the risk at any price.

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Bought a pair of Saucony Freedom ISO at $50, my friend called me an idiot.

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