Shoe durability and longevity are reoccurring topics on forums and between runners when discussing shoe of choice. 300-500 miles is when most shoes are replaced. At this point in the life of a traditional shoe, EVA compression may become noticeable to the runner, affecting his or her running form. However, a shoe with a well built sole may have its upper fall apart far before the sole wears through.
A good pair of shoes with plenty of miles on them fits like an old baseball glove. Perfectly fitted to how the body moves. A wear tester put 600 miles, or about 500,000 steps, in the shoe pictured above. There are also a few runners we know currently approaching 500 miles in theirs. We are really looking forward to seeing how far these athletes can take the shoes!
There are three important factors that determine shoe life.
Terrain. Road running will wear out the sole of a shoe faster, as the road has zero give and creates more friction against the shoe. The gravel, dirt and grass of a trail will give a bit, wearing less on the sole.
Running form. The runner’s gait also plays a role in determining when a shoe needs to be replaced. In a heel-striking gait, where the shoe makes contact in front of the runner’s center of gravity with a heel-first foot placement, a shoe will typically wear more rapidly since there is simply more movement. In contrast, an all-foot (midfoot/forefoot) running form encourages a flat and strong landing under the runner’s center of mass, resulting in less motion of the shoe on the ground as well as more evenly-distributed impact forces.
Materials. Finally, the material of the shoe’s sole plays a key part. The R01 sole SKORA developed is comprised of a high density, high abrasion rubber outsole and an ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) midsole, both more dense than the industry standard. This increases both the durability of the shoe and ground feel, thanks to “just enough” cushioning material between your feet and the ground. The wear pattern is more spread out as well, compared to a more pinpointed wear pattern from a less dense and thicker material. Also, the outsole on our R01 platform has smaller ‘lugs’ than those on traditional running shoes, which also reduces premature wear.
Through superior materials and workmanship, SKORA’s R01 platform should provide a runner with many hundreds of miles on and off road. A shoe sole should not be a hindrance to an athlete’s endurance, but a partner to help keep your feet safe while encouraging healthy and real running. Run Real.