How to Determine When to Buy New Running Shoes

Whether you run for fun, exercise or because you compete in races, your running shoes take a lot of wear and tear. It's important to remember that running shoes not only make running more comfortable but they also act as safety equipment to absorb shock and prevent injury. For that reason, you need to replace running shoes regularly to prevent injury to your muscles and bones. Here are the best ways to know if it's time to replace running shoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Running shoes
• Shoe inserts

1. Log the number of miles that you run. Running shoes should be replaced approximately every 300 miles. If you have reached that mark, it's time to replace your running shoes even if they still look and feel fine.

2. Replace your running shoes every six months. If you have no idea how many miles you have run, or you don't run often, you should replace your running shoes every six months.

3. Look at the bottom of the shoes for excessive wear. If you notice that the soles of the shoes lean to one side, or are worn more on on side, you need to replace the running shoes. This can sometimes occur after only two to three months depending on your running style.

4. Pay attention to how your feet feel after a run. If you notice that your feet hurt later in the day, that means the cushioning in your running shoes isn't absorbing the shock. You need to get new shoes or purchase inserts for the shoes.