How often do you buy new running shoes?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 20:45:05 -0500

I used mine for nine months, it was hard for me to part with them. In them I raised my pt score by nearly 100 points. Thankfully, I found a very similar shoe.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 8:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 20:46:51 -0500

I used to replace my running shoes annually. I'd also buy insoles. That's a good practice. And different shoes affect people differently. I was NOT a fan of minimalist shoes.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 30 at 2016 9:58 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 21:58:47 -0500

I buy a new set every 350 miles. Convert the old pair to walkers.

For me this is about every 4 months (3 a year).

Shoes are good for 1 "season" which for most people is about 4-500 miles. At that point the "innards" are dead, and need to be replaced. If you start feeling your feet, ankles, knees hurt... ask yourself when the last time you swapped shoes was.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 10:38 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 22:38:32 -0500

Uh, when the Guru of Running, Jim Fixx, died of a heart attack while running in 1984, I sold all my jogging shoes in a garage sale. Hell, I said, if those things'll kill him, I don't stand a chance of surviving!!!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 30 at 2016 11:30 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 23:30:39 -0500

Since I retired PFC Private RallyPoint Member Running Shoes, have become my vice... I have 20 or more pairs... to match every school outfit I have... I don't run much, but when I did, I replaced them about every 6 months. Most running experts would recommend you buy two of the same pair, and rotate them every other day, and replace them every 6 months. Running shoes, for me, are my fashion statement now.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 11:34 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 23:34:59 -0500

A good rule of thumb is every 6 months, assuming you do mid-distance runs 2-3 times a week. Once you can't no longer see the tread, you need a new pair.

Response by SSgt Mark Lines made Jan 31 at 2016 7:37 AM

SSgt Mark Lines — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 07:37:01 -0500

I replace mine every 6 months, and turn my old shoes into walking, yard work, and general wear shoes.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jan 31 at 2016 10:21 AM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 10:21:51 -0500

After I have gone through the duct tape "90 MPH tape " phase... Laffs !

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Jan 31 at 2016 12:52 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:52:16 -0500

Since, I have semi-retired, I normally keep mine for 300 miles. And purchase Nike Air 360 or the Equivalent. So if the soles start to come apart then I use them for the YARD, or house shoes. In your CASE ask for the RECEIPT AND IF THEY COME APART IN A GIVEN DATE TIME from PURCHASE YOU CAN RETURN to the store even if the store NOLONGER SELLS THAT ITEM; MACYS, did that for me.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 1:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 13:32:25 -0500

I have a couple factors I go by on when I need to buy a new pair. I look at the tread and see if it's still there of if it's basically a solid colored piece of foam on the bottom of shoe. And when I'm running, if it feels like the sole is no longer cushioning and I'm smacking the pavement/ground when I'm running.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 2:10 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:10:36 -0500

I run about 20 miles a week, and split that between two pairs of shoes. One for fair weather, and one that insulated and waterproof for crummy conditions or trail running. The former wears out about every 4-6 months, depending on them getting wet or bad luck. The latter will go for a couple of years or so.
Roughly every 400 miles.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 9:43 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 21:43:52 -0500

I would be cautious to attribute your performance gains to a shoe. I am an avid runner. My down fall is that I weigh about 200 so I beat up my shoes hard. I usually go about 6 months if that. I can usually feel if my shoes are near their end. I also go to a Running store to buy my shoes. I don't go to a sports store. The staff at a running store can help you with your knowledge of running shoes and most of them also have running clinics. They are also great to help you make your gains. I have found that every so often a company will change their shoes as they come out with a new version. I have had one make that I really like only to find that the new model was horrible for me. I try to reassess my needs everytime I go to buy a new shoe. Now I do a lot of pavement running. I used to do a lot of trail but factors like that and distance will help you determine when to replace your shoe.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 31 at 2016 11:35 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 23:35:11 -0500

I have a bit different take as a soccer referee... and an old one at that. A good pair of kangaroo hide (stay soft after drying out) turf shoes lasts me about 100 games before blowing out, once very spectacularly. It's a combination of the pounding, twisting, and repetitive wet/dry cycles. Stuff just gives up. So it does make sense that the "6 Month Club" has it about right. I used to do 300 games a year and am now down to about 100. So my Nike Tiempo shoes do about a year and get the toss.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 1:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 01:05:48 -0500

In AIT my PL SGT told us to replace our running shoes every six months or 200 miles. Whichever came first.
When I was in a MEDDAC I would replace mine every six months since less running was done.
Since I'm in a field unit I tend to replace mine every 3-4 months.
Something else to keep in mind is that not all shoe brands are equal. The most expensive or biggest name brand does not mean it is the best shoe, either.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 7:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 07:17:30 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member I used to buy mine every six months or so, now I just buy a new pair when I feel something hurting that was not hurting before (like my feet).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 7:54 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 07:54:44 -0500

1. Buy good shoes. Not the PX $60 NB or Nikes...runners don't let runners by Nike.
2. 300-400 miles max. You should be able to hear the difference in your foot strike when your shoes are gone.
3. If you run more than once a day, buy two pair. One for the first time, one for the second.