When should I replace my running shoes?
Running shoes have a product lifespan. To enjoy your running, it is recommended to replace your running shoes when they have reached the end of their product lifespan because they will not perform as they should. Here is a guide for the criteria to use for when to buy new shoes plus how to correctly put on your shoes to increase their product lifespan.
Wear and tear of the heel area
1) Shoes can deteriorate in 3 to 4 years even if you haven’t used them
2) Shoes with worn-out soles may lead to running injury.
When the soles of running shoes become worn out, they get thinner. Right after you buy new shoes, you should try turning them over and taking a photo of the sole thickness with your smartphone. When you think the soles have become worn, take another photo and compare the thickness with the original photo. Decreased sole thickness is a sign that the soles have become worn out.
In addition, the materials of shoes deteriorate after three to four years regardless of the number of times or distance the shoes have been worn, and even if they have not been worn at all. Running in shoes with deteriorated materials can cause the shoes to fall apart and also cause injuries, so you should replace shoes that you have not worn in a long time, even if you have worn them infrequently or only for a short distance.
Moreover, running in shoes with uneven wear and tear at the soles and heels can negatively affect your running form. Some runners may experience increased stress on their feet or discomfort and difficulty running when they put on new shoes as a result of wearing shoes with uneven wear and tear for a long time. If you feel that your soles are unevenly worn out, maybe it’s time for new well-fitting shoes.
How can I make my running shoes last longer?
1) Loosen the shoelaces at all the holes before putting your shoes on
2) Do not excessively tighten or loosen the laces
To make your shoes last longer, it is important to put them on in the proper way. Some people put on their running shoes without loosening or undoing the laces by using a shoehorn or other methods. But this is not the correct way to put on your shoes. You should always loosen the laces of running shoes down to the lowest hole before putting your foot in the shoe. Then, make room for your toes by eliminating any space between the heel and the shoe, and tighten the laces one hole at a time, starting with the laces nearest the toes, depending on how swollen your feet are that day. The key is never to make the laces too tight or too loose. Also, when tying the laces in a bow, you should consciously tie them with about the strength of a handshake. It is said that the force exerted on your feet while running is about six times your body weight. No matter how great your shoes are, they will not perform to their full potential unless you put them on in the proper way.