I change mine every 300 miles... they probably dont need changing but I like buying new trainers so it's more my love of trainers than if the shoe is worn. I will continue to use my retired runners for other activities so they dont go to trash for years!!!
I worry that people get into a little trouble thinking of this in terms of some absolute distance you can get out of a shoe. As a heavier runner with imperfect mechanics, it's not uncommon for me to have to replace a road shoe at around 400 kms - the midsole breaks down to the point where I feel odd aches and pains the next day. I see many runners who are on the lighter side claim to get twice as much or more, which is great. Post this question on the popular running forums, and you will be quickly told that you are a horrible and evil person if you are not getting 2,000 kms from each pair. Even in these comments, people seem to be listing the distance they get out of a pair with at least a touch of braggadocio. But, as with all things running, this is very much unique to the individual. Keeping a pair of shoes around when you begin to doubt them - largely because you think someone might chide you for only getting a certain distance from them - is an invitation to injury.
Agree with David, between 1000 to 1500km. Did have a pair of Adidas that only lasted about 250km before the sole collapsed causing a posterior fib-tib injury that took months of physio and rehab work to come right. And no, I don't run in Adidas anymore
For me it's generally around 400-450 miles but I now know there is a tipping point when the shoe inside starts to feel that there is more room inside the front of the shoe. I'm sure it is a minimal change, but it always ties in well with the wear in the sole of the shoe. I would then only use them for back up on short runs or scuffing about after that.
Great video thanks. I'm 51 and live in London. I was entered in the 2020 Comrades and now intend to run it in 2021. I got to meet Coach Parry in March in London at his talk in Putney. I tend to run in at least two pairs of road running shoes as well as a couple of trail shoes and spikes for cross country and track. I currently have two pairs of road shoes, and have taken the mileage from Strava, I record probably 80/90% of my mileage on Strava. 1386k - Saucony Ride - Boston Marathon 2019 - looking and feeling great apart from a small hole above my right big toe. 1800k - Adidas Ultra Boost Bournemouth Marathon 2018 - sadly now wearing through the outer, and cracking in the middle of the shoe. I'll be looking to buy a new pair of shoes and retire the Adidas Ultraboost. Any recommendations for shoes gratefully received.
Sorry a bit of the point but did you enjoy your ultraboost I think its my next shoe ?even more of the point enjoy your first comrades next year I wish you luck its an awesome race.
also worth mentioning that a used running shoe can still do its job as a walking/gardening shoe. I just recently got two pairs of Topo Athletic shoes that are very comfortable to walk around in because their upper and wide toebox are just overall great. This is also another reason why I prefer my shoes black or blue. Easier to match with jeans.
Hi team and running fellows. I highly recommend reading the very short story The Sound Of Summer Running by the great Ray Bradbury. It's a 5 minutes read. You will all understand, we've all been there
One of my first pair did not last 500km and I switched brands and on my 3rd pair now been changing on average after around 2000KM , no breakage no holes nothing. It's been a breeze
I have always had shoes who like a bit of a rest ie big toes coming through but I hit on an idea last year where I got some flexible clear plastic and stuck it on the inside under the mesh, & so far no poking through. Now why don't the manufacturers rather put some plastic in the critical area instead of mesh. Eric
I am 53. I started running 1 June 2014. Went through my first Saucony Ride 7's in about 600km per pair. Outside heel and inside toe worn through. The following 2 pairs, Ride 9's went far better. I got 950km out of the first pair and I retired the 2nd pair at over 1300km. Bought a pair of Ride 10's online in May 2018, from overseas (When Trevor Manuel was finished with me, I could have hired a Rolls Royce to drive me to the Pavilion and bought them) I still wear them, but not for running. Next came the Ride ISO's. I'm 1000km on those and they have slight wear in the toe and heel, but not into the midsole. They are still rigid. I weigh 75kg. What am I doing wrong/right?
@Kelvin Strachan I have same sentiments. I own a similar pair and have done 1000 km with them and they still look like a 300 km pair and very rigid. Whereas ASICS GT 1000 started to show wear and tear around the 400km mark.
You have been very fortunate to have found shoes that work for you. My son would destroy the uppers of his Guide 9 and 10s after a few hundred kms. He does a lot better in the Pegasus 36 4e, as they fit him better. Still, at 120km per week, the life expectancy is only a few months for him.
My personal experience down the years is that because of shoe manufacturer's endless quest for "better" midsole materials has made it very difficult for consumer to gauge longevity of shoes. I am not convinced that today's bouncy midsoles are better than the standard EVA materials used pre 2000.
I've never had an issue with holes in the uppers, but my son has, right where the foot bends. Once this happened, the upper would pinch his foot, even causing pain. The only solution was new shoes. In the end, after multiple failures, we ended up switching brands, as the shoes he liked didn't work with his foot, in that area at least.
Does Coach Parry recommend any Vienamese or Chinese shoes, and if so, are these on Alibaba or other sites? I often buy big-box-store shoes to run on my treadmill, but I would not mind better shoes direct from a factory. I don't need a logo or bright colors.
I change mine every 300 miles... they probably dont need changing but I like buying new trainers so it's more my love of trainers than if the shoe is worn. I will continue to use my retired runners for other activities so they dont go to trash for years!!!
I worry that people get into a little trouble thinking of this in terms of some absolute distance you can get out of a shoe. As a heavier runner with imperfect mechanics, it's not uncommon for me to have to replace a road shoe at around 400 kms - the midsole breaks down to the point where I feel odd aches and pains the next day. I see many runners who are on the lighter side claim to get twice as much or more, which is great.
Post this question on the popular running forums, and you will be quickly told that you are a horrible and evil person if you are not getting 2,000 kms from each pair. Even in these comments, people seem to be listing the distance they get out of a pair with at least a touch of braggadocio. But, as with all things running, this is very much unique to the individual.
Keeping a pair of shoes around when you begin to doubt them - largely because you think someone might chide you for only getting a certain distance from them - is an invitation to injury.
Agree with David, between 1000 to 1500km. Did have a pair of Adidas that only lasted about 250km before the sole collapsed causing a posterior fib-tib injury that took months of physio and rehab work to come right. And no, I don't run in Adidas anymore
Between 1000km and 1600km from a pair of shoes. Any injuries have always come after a layoff and when trying to do too much, too fast and too soon,
For me it's generally around 400-450 miles but I now know there is a tipping point when the shoe inside starts to feel that there is more room inside the front of the shoe. I'm sure it is a minimal change, but it always ties in well with the wear in the sole of the shoe. I would then only use them for back up on short runs or scuffing about after that.
Great video thanks. I'm 51 and live in London. I was entered in the 2020 Comrades and now intend to run it in 2021. I got to meet Coach Parry in March in London at his talk in Putney.
I tend to run in at least two pairs of road running shoes as well as a couple of trail shoes and spikes for cross country and track.
I currently have two pairs of road shoes, and have taken the mileage from Strava, I record probably 80/90% of my mileage on Strava.
1386k - Saucony Ride - Boston Marathon 2019 - looking and feeling great apart from a small hole above my right big toe.
1800k - Adidas Ultra Boost Bournemouth Marathon 2018 - sadly now wearing through the outer, and cracking in the middle of the shoe.
I'll be looking to buy a new pair of shoes and retire the Adidas Ultraboost. Any recommendations for shoes gratefully received.
Sorry a bit of the point but did you enjoy your ultraboost I think its my next shoe ?even more of the point enjoy your first comrades next year I wish you luck its an awesome race.
also worth mentioning that a used running shoe can still do its job as a walking/gardening shoe. I just recently got two pairs of Topo Athletic shoes that are very comfortable to walk around in because their upper and wide toebox are just overall great. This is also another reason why I prefer my shoes black or blue. Easier to match with jeans.
Big toe and other holes in uppers can be mended well by darning with dental floss. It's stronger than thread and lasts well.
Hi team and running fellows. I highly recommend reading the very short story The Sound Of Summer Running by the great Ray Bradbury.
It's a 5 minutes read. You will all understand, we've all been there
One of my first pair did not last 500km and I switched brands and on my 3rd pair now been changing on average after around 2000KM , no breakage no holes nothing. It's been a breeze
I have always had shoes who like a bit of a rest ie big toes coming through but I hit on an idea last year where I got some flexible clear plastic and stuck it on the inside under the mesh, & so far no poking through. Now why don't the manufacturers rather put some plastic in the critical area instead of mesh. Eric
I always tape up the insides, toes and heel, with gorilla tape before my first run in them. Makes shoes last a lot longer.
I am 53. I started running 1 June 2014. Went through my first Saucony Ride 7's in about 600km per pair. Outside heel and inside toe worn through. The following 2 pairs, Ride 9's went far better. I got 950km out of the first pair and I retired the 2nd pair at over 1300km.
Bought a pair of Ride 10's online in May 2018, from overseas (When Trevor Manuel was finished with me, I could have hired a Rolls Royce to drive me to the Pavilion and bought them) I still wear them, but not for running. Next came the Ride ISO's. I'm 1000km on those and they have slight wear in the toe and heel, but not into the midsole. They are still rigid. I weigh 75kg. What am I doing wrong/right?
@Kelvin Strachan I have same sentiments. I own a similar pair and have done 1000 km with them and they still look like a 300 km pair and very rigid. Whereas ASICS GT 1000 started to show wear and tear around the 400km mark.
You have been very fortunate to have found shoes that work for you. My son would destroy the uppers of his Guide 9 and 10s after a few hundred kms. He does a lot better in the Pegasus 36 4e, as they fit him better. Still, at 120km per week, the life expectancy is only a few months for him.
My personal experience down the years is that because of shoe manufacturer's endless quest for "better" midsole materials has made it very difficult for consumer to gauge longevity of shoes. I am not convinced that today's bouncy midsoles are better than the standard EVA materials used pre 2000.
I've never had an issue with holes in the uppers, but my son has, right where the foot bends. Once this happened, the upper would pinch his foot, even causing pain. The only solution was new shoes. In the end, after multiple failures, we ended up switching brands, as the shoes he liked didn't work with his foot, in that area at least.
Does Coach Parry recommend any Vienamese or Chinese shoes, and if so, are these on Alibaba or other sites? I often buy big-box-store shoes to run on my treadmill, but I would not mind better shoes direct from a factory. I don't need a logo or bright colors.