lifespan of a shoe?

[elk]

I'm wondering if my Sauconys need replacing...or I'm just out of shape...
What is the lifespan of a running shoe...?

I actually don't RUN in them...I walk in them, and I train my dogs in them. I average, a mile a day.
They are 2 0r 3 years old.

[cyclechick2008]

rule of thumb, every 600 miles running or yearly. That's what I was told by my friend that is a runner.

kim

[VeloVT]

Average lifespan of a running shoe is said to be around 350-450 miles. For lighter shoes or heavier runners, it may be less; for heavier shoes/lighter runners it may be more.

I have never had the discipline to keep "shoe mileage logs" (lots of runners do -- but I typically have more than one pair of shoes going at a time and it gets complicated... ok, I'm lazy), but I can tell when my running shoes need replacing because something will start to hurt -- it might be obvious, like the balls of my feet hurting, or it might just be vague achiness in my knees or even more muscle fatigue. The shoes also just start to feel "dead".

With walking shoes, which might not cause pains that are as obvious since the forces you put on them are smaller, I would examine the shoe -- is the heel counter deformed? Are the uppers deformed? Shoes tilting in or out? If you put your hand in the shoe, are there deep depressions anywhere (under metatarsals, for instance)? Do they feel less springy when you walk, and/or do your feet/ankles feel tired/achy after walks? etc, etc...

Shoes also break down over time just with exposure to air...

[elk]

very useful info! thank you.

They do feel kind of dead.... and I have been experiencing knee aches.

couldn't hurt to replace them....they are pretty awesome shoes...

[Grog]

I can't seem to do more than 500 km in a pair of running shoes.

However I just run in them.

It was suggested to me not to walk a lot in running shoes as it wears them "the wrong way" but I don't know what the basis of that is. In any case I only wear my runners to, well, run.

For walking shoes my rule of thumb is about 1000 km (very rough calculation - I walk to work), but I'm currently sporting a pair of Merrell light hikers that I know have been way, way more than that. I only buy really good quality shoes because I don't want to hurt my feet, I use them so much I want to be kind with them so they remain kind to me!!!

[Wahine]

My rule of thumb is 600 miles or 6 months, what ever comes first. Not that different from anyone else here.

What I wanted to add is that running shoes get compressed while running and don't regain their maximum cushiness until at least 36 hours later. If you run on them sooner than that you will break them down faster and it's not good for you. So people who run daily should have at least 2 pairs of shoes on the go. Because I tend to be on the conservative side when it comes to things like injury prevention, I would be tempted to follow the same guidelines for walking shoes made with the same type of EVA midsole as runners.

[sundial]

Just wondering.

[invsblwmn]

Of course, you are aware too of the life cycle of the running shoe. First four to six months only for running, second four to six months, casual wear, third four to six, painting shoe, fourth period mowing the grass shoe and last use (only once due to the stench) kayaking/water shoe. Go out an get yourself a new pair or two. You gotta live a little.

[KSH]

rule of thumb, every 600 miles running or yearly. That's what I was told by my friend that is a runner.

kim

Really?

I have always heard 300 miles or 6 months. That's what I go by. And they are ready to be changed out at 300 miles... I can't imagine going to 600 miles in them. But I do run. For just casual walking I'm sure 600 miles would be fine.

[Grog]

What Wahine says about foam resilience makes sense all of a sudden. I run every day for most of the season, maybe that's why my shoes don't make it past 500 km. Hmm.

[OakLeaf]

Of course, you are aware too of the life cycle of the running shoe. First four to six months only for running, second four to six months, casual wear, third four to six, painting shoe, fourth period mowing the grass shoe and last use (only once due to the stench) kayaking/water shoe.

At least get a pair of Crocs so you can kayak more than once every 4-6 months

[tc1]

For everyday dogwalking and other stuff, 6 months or until your knees and feet start hurting. At 6 months they still look good, but all the compression is squashed. O' course, I more than 200 lbs, which doesn't help with shoe wear.

[cyclechick2008]

hmm.... I don't think I can talk hubby into new shoes. I only walk and teach on fridays in them.

Kim