When should a pair of jogging shoes (training shoes) be changed? How many miles is the "average" shoe good ?

Answer 1

The "industry recommendation" is every 400-600 miles, but remember the "industry" has an interest in selling you shoes, so this may be more frequently than you truly need.

As a prior answer pointed out, when the cushioning and support features have broken down your shoes are shot, but oftentimes the cushioning will collapse before there are signs of visable wear or damage on the shoe. The life of the shoe also has a lot to do with your individual biomechanics, training patterns, training surfaces, etc. There's a lot of variation from person to person, so here's what I do...

I track the mileage I log on each pair of shoes. When I buy a new pair I write the date of purchase on the heel in permanent marker, so I know how long I've had the pair. When my current pair hits 500 miles I buy a new pair, but I don't junk the old shoes immediately. Instead, I alternate runs with the new shoes and the old shoes. This gives me a chance to gently break in the new shoes and compare the feel of the old shoes to the feel of the new shoes. Obviously the new shoes will be more cushioned and supportive, but alternating pairs will enable you to tell when the old shoes aren't providing any reasonable benefits anymore. At that point (which may be 20 more miles or 200 more miles), I stop training in the "old" shoes and work exclusively in the "new" shoes until I have logged 500 miles on the "new" shoes. Then I start the process again.

Admittedly, this requires you to do a lot of recordkeeping and tracking mileage between 2 different pairs of shoes can be a pain. But, some online training logs allow you to specify which pair of shoes you did your run in. I keep a written training log and just use "Pair 1" and "Pair 2" when I am in transition from one shoe to another.

Lastly, just because you don't run in your shoes anymore don't think they are worthless. If they aren't too grungy and stinky you can wear them for non-impact activities (gardening, walking, etc.) Even if they are pretty gross you can donate them to "Shoes for Africa" a program in which old running shoes from the U.S. are reconditioned and given to people in Africa so that they have something to wear on their feet. Always nice to give your "dogs" a second life after they've taken you as far as they can. Ask your local running store if they collect shoes for the program - they may even give you a discount on your next purchase if you donate a pair.

Answer 2

It is more a question of when the support around the sides and the grip wears away. Every runner is different and some people are very hard on their shoes so impossible to say "how many miles" you can do. I have got upto 1000 miles from some and far less from others (lighweight road racing shoes). If you have lateral movement in the shoe around the heel, which you didn't have before then best to change.them as you have instability. Stating the obvious but it you have worn areas away, normally at the toe or on the balls of your feet or heal then these should also be changed. Sometimes it can be hard to change shoes, normally you become quite "attatched" to a particular pair, which is why, when I find the right pair I go out and invest in another of the same type and put them away until I need them!

hope this helps

Answer 3

It is a matter of your own opinion. When you feel that the shoes aren't giving you the support you need to run anymore then the shoes shold be changed. One sign of this is if you roll your ankles a lot. When you feel that your heel support, sides, and the tight fit of the shoe are wearing out, then i would change them.

It can also depend on where you jog. If you jog on grass, dirt, rough ground, hilly ground, etc. then your shoes should be changed more often. If you jog on a road etc. then you probably won't need to change them as much.

I personally don't change my shoes as much as i should because i like them "broke in". I like my shoes more on the loose side but still with support. But like i said before, it is really a matter of your own opinion.

Answer 4

It depends on the type of shoe you are using?? Light weight trainers about 400 to 500 miles. Stability about 600 to 800 miles. It also depends on what kind of surfaces you running on like dirt or pavement??

Answer 5

Generally you want to change your shoes every 500 miles. I admit sometimes I use them longer, especially if I get attached (:

However, for the best support and maximum efficiency 500 miles before changing.

Answer 6

somewhere between 300-500 miles but 500 is the max. the shoes may still look great but the cushioning wears out. If you should start to feel stiffness in you ankles or Achilles tendon. stitch immediately

Answer 7

on average every five hundred miles, three months, or when you can fell rocks and stuff throught the soles of the shoe

Answer 8

maybe once a year maybe even once every 2 years it depends on how it feels for you if they aren't compy any more go out and get another pair that will be compy :)

hope it helps

Answer 9

approximately every year.