Introduction
Running shoes are known to be tough, but they do not last forever. They take a beating beneath our feet, get caked in the mud, get baked on the asphalt, not to mention sweat. When the running shoes are still new, they offer protection against the pavement and ensure smooth running. However, as they age, the cushy foam becomes compressed and the outsoles go bald because of our weight.
They tend to lose their power to protect our joints and feet against the repetitive pounding during running which increases the risk of injury and soreness. This guide will advise you on the recommended mileage for running shoes and how to make them last longer.
How Many Miles Do Running Shoes Last?
How long do trainers last? This is a hard question that most runners ask. Running shoes have a certain lifespan that you need to look out for when training. If you are a person who keeps track of the number of miles you run, the majority of great quality running shoes should last about 300 to 500 miles. To a person who runs for about 20 miles each week, that is about four months to six months.
More so, race-day shoes wear out faster because they are designed to be faster and lighter. Popular running shoe companies recommend these intervals depending on the time that the materials begin to deteriorate, even when the signs are not clearly visible. Once they reach that mileage, it does not mean that they automatically become useless. You can recycle them or even use them for yard work.
How Can you Extend the Life of your Running Shoes?
Even if your running shoes will wear out eventually, you do not want to retire them early. If you take great care of them, you could get more miles out of them. Here is how you can prolong the life of your running shoes:
- Clean them regularly. If say, you run in the rain, your trainers will possibly encounter dirt or mud. Dirt tends to be abrasive on the upper part of the shoe which causes it to prematurely wear out.
- Own several pairs of trainers. If you only run in a single pair of trainers every time, they will wear out faster. However, if you rotate several pairs of quality trainers, the stress that is put through them will be distributed which means that they will last longer.
- Run on the appropriate surface. Road trainers are designed for running on the pavement and trail trainers are designed for running on the trail. Road trainers will not withstand the abuses of a trail, and similarly, your trail shoes will wear out faster on rough concrete.
- Dry them out. Eventually, your trainers have to get wet – whether it’s through sweating or there’s an unexpected downpour. Once they’re wet, you must dry your trainers to keep them funk-free and in top shape.
