Running shoes, how do you know they are worn out?

Question

Obviously if they are torn or 20 years old, its time to get a new pair. But is there any way to tell, any test??

(BTW I wear my running sneakers to the gym only. Three times a week, 20 minutes on the treadmill and 40 minutes off weights)

Answer 1

when you worn a whole in the sole ..........

Answer 2

If your legs or feet are hurting that is sign that you needed to replace your shoes a long time before. You need to check that the cushioning is still good for running shoes, however with a treadmill unlike road running the cushioning is built into your running surface so the shoes cushioning becomes of less importance.

If it were for road then 300 - 500 miles would be the distance at which you should replace them, but its more difficult to give a set time for treadmill runners. In fact for treadmill running (which I do very very rarely) I tend to use a pair of running shoes I no longer trust to run on the road in, due to the fact the running surface adds a lot more cushioning so the loss of cushioning in the shoes takes less importance.


You can test whether they still have enough cushioning left, and whether they still offer adequate stability and support. You could run till you feel pain, but you could end up picking up injuries. If you get a new pair of running shoes, you cna compare the two (old and new) if you feel that the old have deteriorated too much from th new model then chuck them, if not hold the new model until you're ready to chuck the old model.

As a guide, with your amount of running - and the surface you're running on - I would expect a pair of shoes to last at least a year before they start to cause problems.

Answer 3

There is a technical rule for runners by how many miles they run per week, but for the amount of exercise you do, I would recommend replacing shoes once a year. I run so I replace my shoes every 6 months. I notice once my running shoes lose the spring in the their step. Not to mention that based on the wear and tear of my working out, the shoes scream out when they've had enough.

There's nothing better than a brand new pair of running shoes :)

Answer 4

One true sign is that the rubber on the sides of the soles is becoming slightly wrinkled...

Also you might want to buy a new pair every 4 months or so

or you could buy two pairs and alternate usage but the longer a pair of shoes is sitting then the rubber will deteriorate

Answer 5

You're asking the right person...

I absolutely hate running and jogging...

You'll know when your "running shoes" are worn out when after walking across the parking lot of the gym...

You'll have to pick the gravel out from the melted black tar stuck to the bottom of your feet...

Just do it...!!!

Answer 6

It has to do with mileage. I change shoes about every 300 miles or so. So keep track of your miles. If in doubt, check with your local running store for advise.

Answer 7

I typically replace my running shoes after I have run 325-350 miles on them.

Answer 8

Dress shoes? I thought they went out with Fred Astaire. (But Ginger Rogers said "I did everything he did, but backwards, in high heels!) You might as well ask if you wear a bowler hat to go bowling in, or a jogging suit to go jogging in, or trainers to train in, or slippers to slip in, or a shell suit to... do what in? (Beats me).

Answer 9

You'll lose alot of cushion on your shoe of you wore it out so if you start to experience foot ache or back ache, time to get new shoes.

Answer 10

when they start to look like forrest gumps shoes in the beginning of the movie

Answer 11

when souls are worn or treads are worn or when you feet start to hurt from them after running