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When to replace your shoes?

When to replace your shoes?



How long do our shoes last?

When should a runner replace their shoes?

First, lets look at the general shoe retirement advice.

 

How long do our shoes last?

When should a runner replace their shoes?

First, lets look at the general shoe retirement advice.

Here’s what Competitor Magazine has to say:

Numbers wise, a good running shoe should last you between 400 and 600 miles. That’s a pretty large range, I know, but your build, running style and training load all factor in to what end of that range your shoes will fall.

Why this distance range?

The reason most shoes are suggestion to be replaced in this mile range, before they likely even begin to fall apart, is due to compression and wearing away of the sole.

A pair of shoes with many miles on them with a worn away sole will exaggerate your foot movements of pronation and supination beyond what is habitual for your feet. While these movements are necessary and needed, too often going beyond what your body is adapted to is rarely an ideal situation. Excessive wear under the big toe may increase late stage pronation, for example.

What influences shoe durability?

Many factors come in to play.

  • Running Form
    • Less ground contact may mean less wear
    • A flatter foot landing may wear shoes less
  • Weight
    • A lighter runner may stress their shoes less
  • Terrain
    • Rocks and roots on trails can be tough on shoes
    • Softer surfaces may increase shoe life
  • Shoe Material
    • Harder and more dense material can last longer
    • Softer and more “marshmallowy” soles may compress quicker

How to Track?

Thankfully, most online running logs do this for you.

Something to consider is a slower runner spends a lot more time on their feet during 400 miles than a faster runner. Over 400 miles, a 10:00 average pace may take 70,000 more steps than an 8:00 pace average! It’s possible the slower runner spends more time on the ground, potentially weighs more. Maybe the pace is slower only because they’re doing more hills or technical trails, both of which can decrease shoe life!

Perhaps tracking time may be better than distance?

Perhaps it doesn’t matter how much time or miles they have on them?

So, when should you replace a pair of SKORA shoes?

Our shoes, by design, are meant to last longer than most other running shoes for two primary reasons.

  1. High Density Soles
    1. The harder and higher density rubber we use on our outsoles is meant to compress and wear away slower than a softer material. Thus more durability.
    2. FORM and CORE have a fully or partially leather upper. This material is far stronger and more durable than a mesh material. The FORMs in the header image have 1100 miles on them.

Because of this, we typically recommend replacing a pair of our shoes when they begin to fall apart, or simply when you feel the need to replace!

How should you replace an old pair of shoes? 

Two things worthy of consideration when replacing old shoes. The replacement model and how you bring them into your training.

If you have an old pair of shoes that you enjoyed, going with the same model is always a safe bet. Note that many other brands occasionally do drastic changes from version to version. Superflux Sole Accelerator 13 isn’t necessarily going to feel like the new 14th generation. Consider purchasing the old model or asking around from people that have it, which new shoe feels similar. Or try something new

When you bring a fresh pair in, regardless if it’s the same or different model, caution must be exercised. Even a new pair of an identical model is going to be quite different than a pair with 400+ miles on them. Wear them around a bit before ever running in them, then take them out for your shorter runs for a couple weeks while still wearing your old pair. The shoes don’t need breaking in, your body does. Your legs are adapted to the old pair, they’ll need a bit of time to get used to the new ones.

What is our most durable shoe?

Most likely, FORM is going to last people the longest. The combination of having the high density rubber outsole as well as the leather upper makes for a very long lasting shoe.

FIT shares the same sole as FORM, however has a mesh upper. Its upper may not last quite as long as the leather, but FIT is also half the price.

How do you know when YOUR shoes need replaced? 
Let us know in the comments!

You May Also Like: Shoe Care Advice / Why You Should Rotate Shoes

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