Today I decided to do a totally non-food Ask the Readers question. I hope you all don’t mind. Running and running shoes have been on my mind, and you all are always so helpful when it comes to Ask the Readers questions that I though we would talk about running shoes today.
I asked on my Facebook page about running shoes and got a couple of answers, but since very few people are seeing my Facebook updates with all the changes in Facebook, I decided to post here about it to see what you all thought too.
I only started running a couple of years ago, so I am kind of new to it. I run a few times a week, but I don’t really consider myself an avid runner. I did run 300 miles in 2014, so maybe I am more of a runner than I think I am. 🙂
When it comes to shoes though I know very little, except that I want something comfortable to run in. But I know good running shoes do make a difference. One of the first things my husband and I did when we started running was to invest in some new shoes.
Since then I have gone through quite a few pairs of shoes and that is what leads me to my question.
How often should you replace your running shoes?
I seem to go through them about every 6-9 months. It depends on the shoes, and how much I have been running, but in general around 6 months I start noticing that they are not as comfortable. By 8 months or so, my feet and knee start bothering me when I run. That is when I know it is time for new shoes.
The frugal part of me hates spending money on new shoes that often. Especially when they usually look pretty good on the outside and only the inside is really worn. But then I have to realize that I ran over 300 miles last year, which is quite a few miles to put on a pair of shoes.
Last week when my knee started bothering me, I realized that the shoes I wore most of last year, were worn out. I needed new ones.
I am a Nike person when it comes to shoes. I have been for years. They just fit my feet and arch. I can try on shoe after shoe after shoe and I always end up with Nike shoes. I can’t remember the last time I had a pair of tennis shoes that were not Nike. ( And Nike has no clue who I am. I just love their shoes.)
I ended up buying the shoes pictured above. I thought I would love them because they were pretty lightweight and comfortable. After running in them though, I don’t think they are going to work. They are comfortable for just wearing, and I will turn them into everyday type shoes, but they won’t work for running. I have not totally given up on them, but after running 3 miles in them last week, they really bothered my feet.
I did end up loving these Nike Reax though and am glad I bought them too. Yes, I left the shoe store with two pairs of shoes because I was not sure which ones would work best. My last few pairs of running shoes have been Nike Reax, and I loved them. I was hoping though to find a lighter shoe. However, the lighter shoe just did not work, so I think I am just sticking with what works and staying with the Reax.
I am also learning that when it comes to running shoes I seem to do better in the men’s section. That is what happens when you have big feet. But that is a whole other issue…
I did a little research online and it seems like a lot of people say that you should replace running shoes every 300-500 miles or every 6-9 months. I guess maybe I am average when it comes to going through running shoes. Although it still seems like a lot.
Now I am curious what all of you think. I know I have quite a few readers who are into sports and/or running.
How often do you replace your shoes? And what brand do you love?
(And for those of you that could care less about running and running shoes, thanks for putting up with a long rambling running post. 🙂 )
I have always been told that shoes need replaced not only based on miles but weight of the person wearing them. A heavier person will need to replace them more often than a lighter person. There are lots of factors so I think you just have to know the signs of when the show is starting to wear down.
I replace mine every 300 to 500, or when I notice any changes in how my legs/feet. I can’t go on a month time frame as I use different shoes depending on the surface I am running on (trail v. road).
Running shoes can be expensive but replacing them timely is less expensive than paying for medical expenses if you cause chronic injury.
Shoes of choice:
Road: Brooks Pure Flow
Dry or sandy trail: Brooks Cascadia
Wet or muddy trail: Salomon Fellraiser
Another reader recommended Brooks too. I have never had a pair, but I may need to try them. I am also thinking like you said that I may need more than one pair depending on what type of running and how far I am running. And my husband told me the same thing about injuries. New shoes are cheaper than medical bills and injuries. I need to keep reminding myself of that! Thanks for sharing what works for you.
My husband and I are both runners and run 2 miles 3x/wk so I guess that is right around 300 miles/yr as well. We both use Brooks running shoes because they fit our feet so perfectly and since it’s a Pacific NW shoe company near where we live…. Our boys use Saucony because they’re a little cheaper and they fit their feet well. Brooks really do last quite a long time. He notices his knees hurting usually around a year to a year and a half. I have a very high arch and previous issues with plantar fasciitis (sp?) so I take out the Brooks insole out and slip in a Powerstep Pinnacle insole and I can go a year or two. It is really hard when they are still in pristine shape but then they make nice shoes for everyday. Unfortunately we’ve never found that Nikes work well for running shoes or hold up as long. But for everyday they’ve done fine. We tend to buy whatever Brooks are on sale and they’ve always worked well for us. I’m using a Brooks Dyad 7 right now and my husband is wearing a Ravenna 4. Oh and he is 6’2″ and around 185ish and I am 5’9″ and around 148. I wear 11’s so I know what you mean about big feet. 😉
Chris 🙂
I have never had Brooks, but another reader mentioned them as well, so I might have to give them a try. My daughter loves Saucony for everyday wear, but they have never fit my feet right. Maybe Nike’s just don’t hold up as well long term for running and I need to try something else. I will have to look into the Brooks. And I love the Pacific NW! You live in one of the most beautiful parts of the US. 🙂 Thanks for sharing what works for you.
I’ve been told miles and find that works pretty well for me. 6 months is pretty long for a pair of running shoes, but I also hate to pay for new ones that quickly when they look great. Truth is, they don’t feel great any longer and I will also get achy knees. I prefer Aasics for running. I’m older than you, but found they were better for my joints and feet. Took a bit of adjusting, but now I wouldn’t go back to Nike. My daughter has had trouble with several brands of running shoes. Bought her Brooks. They were way too expensive, but they are working for her so it has been worth it since she can run without pain.
I wear Asics and love them. I wear mine about a year, but I don’t run as much. But when my knees and hips start hurting I know it’s time for a new pair. I also only go to a store that fits running shoes. There are so many to choose from. The wrong shoe can wreak havoc on the joints.
I replace my shoes every 9 months or so. I have only ever worn Asics. First I wore GT-2000, but recently got Gel Kayanos and I love them!!
i’m a runner (currently training for marathon #5) and usually replace my shoes 3-5 times per year depending on what i’m training for. i shoot for a max of 500 miles or 4 months, otherwise my legs and feet get very achy. shoes are cheaper than surgery or injuries! i have worn brooks adrenalines since high school, so about 14 years. if they discontinue that shoe i will cry! haha. but what i love about brooks: they’re expensive but they stand by their products. they even have a 30 day return policy for their shoes (as in: you can run in them for a few weeks before deciding). one way i save on shoes is by purchasing online from sites like running warehouse or other independent running stores. they constantly have last year’s models on clearance for great prices so if you find a shoe you love, you can stock up when they’re cheaper. brooks are also the first running shoes that were designed for women, so that’s pretty cool!
When I was training for a marathon my trainer said I needed to change about every 4-5 months…of course we were doing a lot of running. I was never able to use the light weight ones, training in Colorado and mostly in fall and winter. My favorite brand was Adiddas. Good luck, hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I change my running shoes out at around 400 miles which is about two times a year for me. I go to the local running store in Tulsa (fleet feet) and get fitted. I’ve loved both brooks adrenalines and new balance 870. I highly recommend super feet inserts if you aren’t using an insert. It really helps my feet and knees and helps to extend the life of my shoes. Good luck! Running is not a cheap sport but it sure is rewarding. 🙂
Thanks! I used an insert in a pair of shoes when I first started running. I might need to try it again. And I have never been into Fleet Feet, but I need to since I live in NE Oklahoma. Maybe getting fitted for shoes is what I need to do to find a pair I really like.
I love Brooks Glycerin shoes. I have purchased them from Fleet Feet in Tulsa, but I also catch the Brooks’ sales on their website since I know what fits.
I am a runner that averages approximately 6 miles a run with painfully flat feet. A normal Nike girl, until I discovered Pearl Izumi project emotion–W EM Road M3. Love, love love it, found it on sale for $50, and after I ran in them bought another pair. Light, breathes well, and works for stability as I run on the outside of my feet. No rolled ankles so far! I wish there was a shade more in the arch department but it is not so bad that my feet hurt. They run a little small, so order a half size up from what you are used to ordering in running shoes. As for longevity, I’m not sure how long they will last. But it $50 it is worth getting an extra pair just to see.