When to Replace Running Shoes

Shoe strike: Some runners scuff or drag their heels when their feet strike. This can cause the material on the bottom of the shoes to wear out more quickly. The rate of wear will depend on the amount of scuffing and the type of material used on the shoe's outer sole.

Most shoe manufacturers use carbon rubber on the outer sole of the shoe. This material is usually black and is very durable. Some manufacturers use blown rubber. Blown rubber looks very much like carbon rubber, but it's softer and wears faster. The upside to blown rubber is that it's lighter weight and makes the shoe feel softer then carbon rubber. So the trade-off between the two types of rubber is comfort versus durability.

More: The Importance of a Proper Shoe Fit

When to Replace Your Running Shoes

One way to tell it's time to replace your running shoes is to test the rigidity of the mid-sole material. To do this, grab the heel counter—the round stiff part of the heel—then take your thumb and push in on the cushioning part towards the bottom of the shoe.

When a shoe is new, this material will feel very rigid. However, when the shoe starts to age, the mid-sole material softens. This is when it's time to time to think about replacing the shoe. It's important to get the feel of the shoe when it's new to have an idea of how rigid this material should be.

The mid-sole material softens because the air cells in the EVA are collapsing and staying compressed, which means it no longer has much shock absorption. The shoe may no longer be suited for running, but it can still be used for walking around or mowing the lawn. Judging a shoe's usefulness by just looking at the wear on the black outer sole is not necessarily a good indicator of a shoe's true wear.

If you're a lightweight runner, you may be able to get 500 miles out of a pair of shoes. But if you weigh more than 200 pounds, you'll probably only get 250 to 300 miles before it's time to replace your running shoes. In the end, it all comes down to the physics of weight crushing down on the shoe and breaking the mid-sole down. Once cushioning breaks down, you can increase your chances of getting injured. So keep those shoes new.

And, while you're at it, keep those shoes perfect by selecting the one pair that's perfect for your feet. How can you be sure? Let the Shoe Dog be your guide.

Active logoREAD THIS NOW: Is Barefoot Running the "Perfect Running Shoe"?
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