How to Make Your Running Shoes Last Longer:
- Rotate between multiple pairs of shoes.
- Clean your shoes regularly with mild soap and air-dry.
- Store shoes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Track mileage to know when to replace them.
- Wear your running shoes only for running.
- Use shoe inserts or orthotics for added support.
- Replace worn-out insoles for better cushioning.
Keep your running shoes in top shape by following these simple tips!
Running shoes are an important part of your workout routine; a good pair uplifts performance and comfort. Like all other shoes, running shoes wear out after some period of time. The good news is that with due care and maintenance, one can increase the life of the running shoes and have them last longer. Following are the top 7 tips for getting more miles out of your running shoes.
1. Rotate Several Pairs of Running Shoes
The most available and apparent approach for prolonging the running shoes' life is the rotation between two or more pairs. This allows the shoes some time to decompress and recover between runs, decreasing the stress on cushioning and soles.
Why it helps: This allows time for the materials to return to their structural form and helps extend the life of cushioning and support.
2. Clean Your Running Shoes Regularly
It opens up the structure of the materials the shoes are made from to dirt, mud, and grime that will wear them down faster. Cleaning your running shoes regularly can keep them in good shape.
How to clean them:
- Wipe away dirt with a soft brush or cloth.
- Mild soap and warm water can be used to clean the upper material.
- Do not put them in the washing machine because it will ruin the fabric and structure.
Pro Tip: Allow your shoes to air-dry after cleaning, and do not use direct heat sources such as dryers or radiators. Extremely high temperatures degrade the materials of the shoe.
3. Store Your Running Shoes Properly
Storing one's running shoes correctly when not in use is very important in maintaining their structure and prolonging their useful life.
How to store them:
- Store your shoes in a cool, dry place away from the sun, which can bleach and damage the leather.
- Do not store them in your car, for instance, because it goes through extreme heat and cold, to say the least, and this can weaken the materials.
- Fill newspaper or inserts inside your shoes to help them hold their shape.
Pro Tip: Stuff newspaper into wet shoes. The paper will absorb moisture from the shoes and help dry them out while retaining the shape of the shoe.
4. Track Your Mileage
Each and every running shoe has a certain mileage life; it usually lies between 300-500 miles. Keeping count of how many miles one has run in a certain pair will help one estimate when replacement time arrives.
How to track your mileage:
- Through a running app or manually logging the runs, keep track of how many miles your shoes have endured.
- Pay attention for signs of wear, such as loss of cushioning, uneven wear on the soles, or a reduction in comfort.
Pro Tip: If you find yourself noticing discomfort or pain on runs, it's probably time to change out your shoes even if they are well before the 300-mile mark.
5. Only Wear Your Running Shoes for Running
It's tempting to wear comfortable running shoes for everyday errands, but this hastens their wear and tear.
Why it helps: Wearing your running shoes only to run will help you maintain the cushioning and structural integrity to feel-and perform-your best on runs.
Pro Tip: Get another pair of casual sneakers to wear for everyday running around, and that can help your running shoes last longer.
6. Apply Shoe Inserts or Orthotics
In case you always wear out your shoes due to some gait patterns or the way your foot is structured, then the application of shoe inserts or orthotics will help extend the life of your shoes.
How it helps: Inserts provide additional support and cushioning to minimize wear and tear on original shoe materials. This could prevent the shoes from wearing out unevenly.
Pro Tip: Orthotics specially designed only for your feet can provide even more support and protection for not only your shoes but also your body.
How to replace:
- Inspect the insoles for thinning and compression. Then, purchase replacement insoles to match the original level of cushioning and support.
Pro tip: Invest in a good quality insole designed for running/trail running, which will serve to deliver superior comfort and extend the life of the shoe.