Soleful for the Sole

From our sole to yours, here are some helpful tips and tricks when it comes to running shoes. 

Running shoes should be replaced every 300-500 miles. 

Factors, such as terrain, can affect how often our running shoes should be replaced. 

Reserving your shoes for running and limiting their use for other activities, including day-to-day walking around, will maintain their structure, support and integrity and will help them last longer.

Even if the shoes look like they are still in good condition, it may be time to replace them for running purposes.

In addition to mileage, other indicators include fit and feel — if you notice your shoes are less "bouncy" or you are feeling unusually sore after a run, it is likely time to replace your running shoes. 

Adding in a new pair while you still have some miles left on the old pair is a helpful way to get used to the new shoes.

When you retire your old running shoes, they don’t have to go in the garbage — you can repurpose them for use around the house and yard, dog walks or any number of other non-running activities or you can donate them to a shoe recycling program that will give new life to your old shoes, which is good for the community and the environment.

Local running stores sometimes partner with shoe recycling programs or provide a program of their own.

Local running stores are great resources for running shoes, they often have technology and expertise that can fit you for the right shoe for you — and it helps to shop local and support small business.

Everyone is unique and the right running shoe varies from person to person, it’s important to find the best fit for you.

Depending on which shoe you select, brands will often come out with new versions of the same shoe each year or sometimes multiple times a year — I tend to purchase a previous generation of the shoe, one or two versions back, which means I still get a great shoe but at a lower price.

To summarize:

• Select the right running shoe for you, a local running store can help

• Buying a new shoe but an older version means you get a great shoe at a lower price

• The sole-purpose of running shoes should be running, limit their use for non-running activities

• When replacing your running shoes, consider mileage, terrain, fit and feel

• Retired running shoes can be repurposed or recycled