How Often Do You Replace Your Running Shoes?

Oh! Be very mindful about the shoes!!!
I was preparing for a half marathon and did not feel like breaking in new shoes a month before The Run, so I kept on putting the mileage… I ended up hurting one leg really bad the week before the marathon. Then, being quite stubborn, I kept on running, put the weight on the other leg, and hurt that one too. It left me unable to run for more than a year (so I swam!)

Love the blog!! Discover it through thefood.ca

Which issue of Martha’s magazine’s was the original apple cupcake recipe? I can’t seem to find it on her website…
Love this healthy/vegan variation, though!

I’m not as big as a runner as you, and due to my knee problems I’m stuck running on an indoor rubber track. Usually I replace them once a year, but now with all of my limitations I’ve gotten more use out of them. They still feel amazing every time I put them on, so I’ll stick with them for now.

I would have never guessed that you would make apple cupcakes. How clever!!! And delicious :)

I get new sneakers every six months on the dot. Otherwise I start to experience weird aches and pains after the 6-month mark. I’m pretty sure running in old shoes was one of the contributing factors to my hip injury last year! I don’t think people realize how much cushioning is lost during that period of time, but you can really notice it once you run in the new pair :)

Oh my yum! These look so amazing, I can’t wait to make them!

I go through about 4 pairs per year, so that would be every 3 months, except I am almost always using 2 pairs at a time. Alternating between 2 pairs of running shoes helps them last longer because if you only run on them every other day or less, the material in the shoe has more time to “bounce back” and recover from the running you do in them, making the shoe slower to break down.
Your apples are so cute and creative! :)

LOVE this breakfast idea!! So creative!

I’m pretty lazy about switching out my shoes…I just get so attached to my current pair! It’s like saying goodbye to an old friend when I get a new pair!

I replace my running shoes every 4-6 months. Depends on how hard I’ve been training.

Apple cupcakes look yummy!

Those apple cupcakes look delicious, I am so glad I will have something to do with the apples I have on the counter!

And I don’t replace my running shoes nearly enough but I am definitely going to be needing new ones soon!

I usually replace my sneakers every year. I fall into a routine of running moderately during the summer, hard in the fall, training for a late fall race and then giving up on running in the winter (too cold!) and then starting back up in late spring, early summer. So I think one good pair a year works for me. I buy them always at the end of summer during the middle of my training period. And they last throughout my one big race a year, and then get me through until the end of the next summer while I do short runs. This year I am hoping to run through the winter and train hard in the spring too…so I may need two pairs this year…so yeah, I guess every 6 months!

It makes sense to me to go by mileage rather than distance. I have had mine for over a year now, but I am not a distance runner by any means. I have just begun upping it to 2 miles 3x a week. So yeah, my shoes can last. They are still very springy and supportive.

If you take your shoes into a running store, the staff are usually very knowledgeable and helpful. They can look at your shoes and bend them and tell you if you’re due for a new pair very quickly.

The apples look like fun.

I replace my running shoes about every 400 miles and then they become my walking shoes till they wear out!

I can tell by the way my legs feel that it is time to replace my running shoes… my legs start to feel heavy after a run. I look at my running log and tally up the miles and am usually pretty close to the 400 mile mark, give or take a few.

I just got so excited by your apple pics! Yum and adorable. :) I am also a sucker for Martha LIVING, the Halloween issue is out(my favorite), is that where these lil cuties came from? I replace running shoes every 4 months but honestly I feel like every 2-3 I need to. It makes a huge difference and I think many folks go too long. I also recycle my shoes or donate them so I don’t feel so bad. :)

Those apple “cupcakes” look sooo good! They make me wish my stomach could handle digesting apples!

I work out mostly in a gym and mostly on low-impact things. So I tend to keep them for about a year. If I were running a lot, I would probably at least feel like I should replace them more often. I just don’t have a lot of money to spend on fitness stuff!

i change my shoes a lot. every 5 months or so, about 300 miles. I love new sneakers and the kick it gives you to get back out there again.

i am wondering if you still use that lemon face scrub? i made a batch last night and used it today and i loved it.

Aww apple cupcakes! What a cute idea.

I get really lazy about purchasing running shoes. I won’t replace them until they are well worn out, or until they start getting uncomfortable. I know it’s a bad habit but I don’t run alot so I feel that I’m not doing too much damage to my feet..

That looks SOO good!

I replace my shoes when they start to hurt to be perfectly honest with you! It’s usually 4-5 months. I got new ones in April and they’re hurting now, so it’s time to get a new pair!

I might have to have some apple cupcakes at my daughter’s 2nd bday party. Or for breakfast in the morning bec I’m impatient. ;)

I replace my shoes once a year, BUT I’m not a huge runner and generally only use them for lifting, kickbox, and some runs on the treadmill. After this pregnancy and once I try to pick up running more, I will likely replace them more often.

It’s so funny you are posting about new shoes! I just ordered a pair online from Running Room that I have been eyeing for 6 months. They are Asics Gel ones and I am so excited. Running Room has 20% off onlien orders until Aug 31!

I figured I am way past due since my last pair are from 2002!!! Maybe these new shoes will give me a kick in my step :-)

Hi! I just read your About page and I myself have struggled (and still struggling) with weight loss as well as eating disorders over the years. I was really inspired after reading your About page and it’s really such a motivating story.

That being said, I replace my running shoes every 6 months or so. I’m still working up to running but for the time being, I’m basically just walking. :)

I have been training for a half-marathon and did have new shoes, but got them at a discount store for cheap! I had a terrible problem with shin splints and ended up caving and investing in a proper pair of shoes. What a difference! Since I have been running in my new shoes I haven’t had any troubles at all. A worthwhile investment for sure!

That is the cutest idea for breakfast!

I have a hard time figuring out when to replace my running shoes because I don’t keep track of my mileage. I think I replaced my last pair after a year, but it sounds like I should probably think about replacing mine more frequently!

Hi Angela,

I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now, I absolutely love reading it; I bounce up and down everytime GoogleReader tells me you have a new post!

I did want to comment on your suggestion to donate old shoes. Contrary to popular belief, donating used goods are generally NOT as helpful as we think they are; in fact, sometimes they can do more harm than good. Here are two great articles explaining why:
http://goodintentionsarenotenough.com/2009/09/donating-shoes-aid-fads/
http://aidwatchers.com/2010/01/nobody-wants-your-old-shoes-how-not-to-help-in-haiti/

Just wanted to send these your way since I’m guessing you’ll find them informative and helpful in future! Thanks for all your great posts and recipes!

-Dominika

Last year I was having some knee pain and decided to see someone about it. He recommended a few weeks of physical therapy that I could incorporate into my regular workouts. The Physical Therapist said that because of how often I workout and the intensity I should replace my shoes every 6 months. I workout inside so my shoes hardly ever show wear. So this year I replaced my old ones after 6 months and can really tell the difference in the cushion from old to new.

Those apple cupcakes are genius.

I have really high arches, and so as soon as the arch supports start to wear down I replace my shoes. It usually takes about 6 months or so depending on how often I run.

I replace my shoes about every six months although while training for this half, I plan to buy new shoes directly afterwards as well as I’ve added more mileage than I’m used to.

I find six months works for my body as I start feeling minor aches in my hips and knees around this time. As soon as I buy new shoes it all goes away! I think depending on where your feet fall while running the breakdown on your shoes can vary from person to person. Some people have to replace them more frequently than others.

I definitely think you can tell when shoes need to be replaced, but I like to replace mine before 400 miles at least. Also, I rotate through 2 or 3 different pairs of shoes. Every shoe will cause us to run in a slightly different way – meaning some tendons/muslces can get overused if you only wear one pair. Wearing multiple pairs allows our leg muscles to shift the work so we don’t wind up with minor pains or injuries. Kind of expensive starting out, but it also means you have to replace them less often because you’re wearing each pair less.

These are the cutest little morsels of food I’ve ever seen in my life. What a great idea! My sister and I seriously freaked out over how cute these are! I can’t wait to make these.

Thank you for the tips on buying new shoes. I’m not much of a runner yet, but I plan to start when I’m back on campus, so I need all the help I can get. =)

I buy two pairs of the same model of running shoes (different colors) and I swamp them for each run. That way they can dry out (sweat in the summer, snow in the winter, rain in the spring) I buy two new pair each spring. It’s been working for me.

I liked to your post from fitsugar and I was like I know ohsheglows haha : ) Those cupcakes are fantastic!! As for the runners, I am on my third pair this year. My first ones were due for a change because of mileage (trained for a 1/2), the second ones caused me some knee pain much to my dismay and not enough support for my high arch and my lastest ones have logged about 350km so they should last a bit longer. I don’t really go by a mileage formula. I use more of a foot pain barometer because I have an old fracture in my foot that tells me when the cushion starts to wear down. Cold winters don’t seem to be as forgiving on runners either… I don’t think they test them in -20 runs : )

love the apple ‘cupcakes’ I thought they might be good using peaches/nectarines …..?
Running shoew I went for a running analysis and they suggested 300-400 miles but to buy next pair about 50 miles before changeover so as to break them in .I love getting the new ones going !

Angela!!! These look delish as ever! how yummy! I bet they would be yummy too with the protein pumpkin pudding in them!!!!!!!!!!!

I replace my sneakers whenever I start to wonder if I should, usually my bones tell me when they aren’t getting the right support anymore! I think I will start rotating between two pairs though, to make each last a little longer.

Also, I just heard this today and I thought you would enjoy: “Why do many runners pick up the pace towards the end of a run? The horse smells the barn.”

I’m sure many of us can identify with that notion!

I usually replace my shoes based on how they “feel”– I usually start to get more muscle aches and foot pain when I need to replace my shoes! It also usually happens to fall around the 6-month mark for me, too! I’m in a new pair of Brooks running shoes right now, and I love them!!

I actually save my “older” pair of running shoes at my mom’s house for when I visit– it’s a pain to lug multiple pairs of shoes when I travel, so having a pair of running shoes already there makes working out easier when I’m there!

aw how cute are they, they look yummy!

Yum! Can’t wait to try the pumpkin pudding. Have you seen/tried the TJ’s pumpkin butter? It would be an awesome topping to get the pumpkin flavor if there’s no time for the pudding! Beware, the stuff is highly addictive :) Thanks for the recipe idea!

Those “cupcakes” are too cute- I love!! I just replaced a pair of shoes I’ve had since January. Even though I’ve taken a hiatus from running these last few months, I still wear them a lot and my funky stride really wears them down!

I got my first pair of running shoes in tenth grade when I started track. I’m 25 and I just replaced them!
Have you ever had trouble with them loosening themselves while you run? I can’t seem to get my right foot tight enough, and to stay tight enough….

Those are the cutest little things!

I used to work at a running store. The general rule is that you should replace them every year if you run about ten miles a week. If you run significantly more, like twenty or so miles a week, you should replace them every six months.

It’s not good to wait until they’re totally sad looking and falling apart to replace them. For a lot of people that leads to shin splints and other common injuries and they don’t even realize it.

Those cupcakes put a huge smile on my face! I can just hear what the friends will say when I make them…

I’m ashamed to admit it – but I’m going almost a year on my current runners! How bad is that!? (oh and I run almost every day!) Lately, I’ve started having weird pains in my back and hips.. do you think that could be from the lack of support?

Love the blog!

Hey there i made your Fudgy Brownies at the wknd, i blogged about them and posted the recipe, i gave you full credit and linked back to your post about them, i hope you dont mind, check it out if you like! thanks sharing such a lovely recipe!! x

Those are so cute, and the best part is it’s so easy to make. Running shoes, I really need to replace mine I wear them far too long.

I am very careful to purchase running shoes on a regular basis. I’ve had some pain in my hip (and now heel) of my left leg, and I find that running shoes that are in good shape are imperative to avoiding this pain.

It’s pretty easy to estimate when you need new sneakers:
1. Estimate your miles for a month
Example: When I’m in good running form, I run about 24 miles/week, so that’s about 100/month.
2. Estimate your sneakers’ “age”: 100 miles = youth; 300 miles = middle age; 600 miles = geriatric
Example: If I want to replace my shoes at 300-400 miles (because I have some hip issues), I need to replace them every 4th month.
3. Adjust your estimate for terrain and other factors (inserts):
Example: In the winter I run indoors on the treadmill, and I use very good inserts (which I sometimes replace prior to the sneaker itself), so that adds about 1-2 months on to sneakers’ longevity. So, I can replace them every 5-6 months.

This has worked for me for some time — it might work as a “cheat” on figuring out when to replace your sneakers.

Love the apple cupcakes! They’re so cute, too. What a great idea for a healthy snack. And I’d say it’s time for new shoes. Usually when I need them, I can just feel it. A little less bounce in my step. We like to rotate our shoes. We get like two pairs and wear them every other run. Works out pretty well . . .

those apple cupcakes look so yummy !!

to answer your question – for me the sign to change my running shoes is a pain in one of my knee – meaning the support inside is worn down (even if the outside looks “perfect”) – I need extra support and when I start to feel the pain I know I need to change them- (once a year when i started running) – the shoes I have now ran with me 2 half and the trainnings + all summer so I think I might change them before winter.

thanks for you great recipes…

Yum those apple cupcakes look great! So creative!

I replace my running shoes about once every year to year and a half…I should replace them sooner though! I figure since I don’t actually run in them that often, they are probably okay. Even though I do still workout in them about 5 days a week, it is never usually high impact.

I’ve heard 500 miles or 6 months also. I know it’s time for me to buy new ones. I ran 7.5 miles on Saturday and I could tell a huge difference in the support. I also have noticed that I have to tie my shoes tighter and tighter to keep them tied.

Funny you should post this now — I JUST bought new runners. I felt the same way; the old ones weren’t completely falling apart, but the support just isn’t there. Got a new pair of Asics from the Running Room — they are fabulous! Took them out for a run last night.

Ohhh how I love your blog!