As every runner and trainer will tell you, good running requires good running shoes. But what do you really know about these shoes? Here are some FAQs that can help shed light on the subject:
How long will running shoes last?
That depends on several factors:
- Shoe quality. In general, the shoes from the most reputable brands will last longer than the cheaper shoes from unknown brands.
- How often you wear them. Obviously, they’ll wear out faster if you wear these shoes each day, whether you’re running or not.
- Intensity of your runs. If you run more frequently or you go with longer runs, they’ll wear out faster.
However, you can expect a good pair of running shoes to last for at least 250 miles of running. Some of the more durable shoes can even go up to 500 miles before conking out.
When do you need to replace your shoes?
Your shoes have several jobs to do. They need to provide comfortable support for your ankles and feet. They need to minimize the friction that often leads to blisters. They provide proper traction so you don’t easily slip and fall. And they also distribute your weight while you’re running.
Now, if your shoes can no longer do any of these jobs, then they have to be replaced immediately. You’re forming blisters when you weren’t before? It’s time for new shoes. The same goes if you suddenly experience regular pains. You also need new shoes if the soles have worn down unevenly, as that can cause your ankles to roll and that in turn leads to pain and injuries.
If your shoes can’t even do the listed jobs when they’re new, they may not be running shoes at all. Or at the very least, it doesn’t fit you right and you need a different size.
What’s the best way to break in your running shoes?
Breaking in your shoes is important. You give your feet a chance to get used to the shape and feel of the shoes. At the same time, you’re also flexing and bending the shoes so that they gradually conform to the shape of your feet.
It should take only a few days to break in your shoes, as long as they fit your feet properly. You can always just take a walk in them as often as you can during the first days. Wear thicker socks, and bend and flex the shoes at the flex points.
It’s not really a good idea to break in your shoes by taking long runs in them when they’re brand-new. If you really want to run in the spanking new shoes, try shorter runs at first. Just keep in mind that if they’re not fully broken in yet, you’re at a higher risk for blisters and foot pain.
How do you clean your shoes?
Here are some tips for this:
- Don’t use your washing machine. Just clean them by hand.
- Air the shoes out often. When you’re done with your run, remove the sock liners and let them dry outdoors.
- If the liners are smelly, you can fight off the odor-causing bacteria by sprinkling some baking soda under the liners. If this doesn’t help, just get a new pair of liners.
- Use mild soap and water to spot-treat dirty uppers. You can use a soft brush, and a used toothbrush is a great tool for this.
- You can remove the laces so you can wash them separately.
- Wash the midsoles and outsoles with a toothbrush and some dish soap.
- Air-dry the shoes, and don’t use the drying machine. That high heat can damage the glue that holds the whole shoe together. Some shoes even sink after a turn in the drying machine.
What else can you do to make sure your shoes last longer?
One sure way to make your shoes last is that you don’t use them for anything else except running. Use other shoes for your other daily activities, or even for other sports like basketball. Running shoes may bot last long for other sports because those sports involve other types of motions, for which these shoes are not designed.
In fact, you may even want to get 2 pairs of running shoes. That way, you can wear each pair for different days. If a run has compressed the cushioning, then you can rest the shoes for a day while you’re wearing a different pair.
You can also unlace your shoes completely after each run. Sure, this may be inconvenient and takes too much time. But taking the short cut of just forcing your feet into the shoes can stretch the shoes out of shape.