How often Replace Active Footwear

02 Jan How often Replace Active Footwear

How Often Should You Replace Your Sneakers?

You can get used to a beloved pair of walking or running shoes that you slip on every time you head out for some exercise. If they’re worn out, however, those shoes can cause more harm than good.

Support Matters

Athletic shoes should support your arches and cushion your feet. If you think your shoes could be more supportive, you can improve their interiors with custom orthotics. In some cases, that won’t be enough. Here are some clear signs that you need new athletic shoes.

• The treads are worn. Turn your sneakers over to view the treads. If they are badly worn, it is time to replace them.
• The midsole is gone. The midsole is the area between the sole and the upper on an athletic shoe. It’s the part of the shoe that cushions your foot.
• Your feet hurt. Bunions, blisters, and other foot problems can be caused by worn-out shoes.

Shoes for Specific Sports

• Running–6 months to 2 years: If you’re an avid runner and frequently participate in competitive running, you can expect your shoes to last about 6 months. For beginners and those who only run as part of their workouts, the shoes should last 1 to 2 years.

• Walking—1 year: Walking won’t wear shoes out as quickly as running, but it will take its toll on them, especially if you do most of your walking outdoors. Most experts recommend replacing your shoes when you reach 500 miles of walking.

• General exercise—1 to 2 years: If you mix up your workouts with turns at the treadmill, dance classes, weightlifting, spinning, and rowing, your shoes should hold up well for up to 2 years. If you add frequent lunges, weightlifting, aerobics or step classes, you will wear your shoes out more quickly.

• Weightlifting—1 year: You may not realize how much pounding your shoes take when you lift weights. They must support your body weight, the added weights, and your ability to keep the correct form. You should expect to buy new weightlifting shoes once a year.

• Soccer—2 seasons: Soccer cleats last about two seasons. The material of the cleats and the surface you play on can affect their lifespan.

• Football—2 seasons: Like soccer cleats, football cleats can take a beating, but should hold up for two seasons of practice and play.

Extend the Life of Your Athletic Shoes

Are there ways to hold on to a favorite pair of shoes a little longer? Follow these rules to give them a longer lifespan:

• Save your shoes for exercise only.
• Wear activity-specific shoes.
• Have a spare pair, and rotate your shoes.
• If you wash your shoes, air dry them.

Get Help for All Your Foot and Footwear Needs

At Shuman Podiatry & Sports Medicine, we can help you customize your athletic footwear with orthotics. If your worn-out shoes have already led to foot problems, we can help with those, too.