How to know when your running shoes are worn out and 6 tips for how to get the most out of them!

Like everything, your running shoes have a lifespan. Typically, this can range from somewhere around 300 to 500 miles (500 to 800km). However, this can easily be higher or lower depending on what you’re doing in them, the type of runner you are and whether you’re looking after them.  
 
So how do you know when your running shoes have bitten the dust? There are obvious indicators like holes appearing or stitching coming away in the areas that come under the most stress. Check out our image below which points out where you’re most likely to find the areas of wear and see if your shoes are showing any early signs.  

Aren’t they just faulty? This can be the case sometimes; we’ve all been there when a product just isn’t living up to your standards, so what’s the difference between wear and tear and just plain faulty! Well one of the easiest identifiers is use. A fault usually shows itself quite early on in the shoe’s life (the first month). Even seasoned pros who are logging lots of miles won’t wear through a shoe that quick! If you’re unsure about a fault just get in touch with us.  
 
‘My legs are hurting’, ‘my muscles ache’, how often have we spoken these words. Most often this is a result of pushing hard in training, doing a little bit of extra training, or just not getting enough of that R&R in. But it can also be down to your running shoes. Yep, those swanky trainers you can’t depart with might just be causing you a lot more pain than you think. The function of a running shoe is to cushion you from the impact of the ground, all to varying degrees and levels, and all specific to the style of running you need and want. That being said, a running shoe goes through a lot on average women take around 60,000 steps over the course of a marathon and the midsole material can only take so much before it is longer giving you the same protection.  
 
One of the final and biggest things to spot is the tread on the outsole of your shoes. This will have been worn down as your foot makes contact with the ground, if you find yourself losing grip then this can be a good indication your shoes are on the way out.  
 
Last but not least is, I just want something new! Most of us know when we’re holding onto those treasures for a little too long, if you’ve dug out your dusty trainers from the cupboard after a long hiatus and are looking at them like ‘I can’t go out in these’, then don’t! Nothing helps keep that motivation burning like a new pair of kicks, and you’ll probably find running shoes have got a lot lighter than those dusty retros!  
 
So, what can I do to get the most out of my running shoes? Here are our 6 quick tips to keeping those running shoes going for another mile.  

1. Don’t wear them for the school run. The more you wear them for casual use the quicker they will wear out, so keep your nice new running trainers just for the active stuff.  
2. Radiators are a no-go! Yes, they dry shoes quick, but direct contact or intense heat can affect the glue which binds the shoes together cause issues.  
3. Avoid hot and cold extremes. This is similar to above, but it affects a different part of the shoe, extreme weathers can affect the chemical compound of the midsole. (In Lehman’s terms; that’s why the shoes you left in the freezing porch felt different for your morning winter run!) 
4. Keep them clean. It’s ok to go splashing in the puddles just give them a clean down after, mud caked over the uppers isn’t a good recipe.  
5. UNTIE THEM BEFORE YOUR SLIDE THEM OFF. We tell kids off for this, so we are no different, yes, you’re tired after a run but kicking them off like this can cause stretching and wear. Not a good combo.  
6. Rotate between pairs. Sharing the load between pairs gives your trainers time to rest in-between use which can help prolong their life. This point is also great justification to your other half, as to why you just had to get those new speed shoes!