It is no secret that runners love their collection of running shoes. We can go through numerous pairs per year to feed our healthy habits. What if you could help your running shoes last longer? Check out these easy tips and tricks to extend the life of your running shoes.
How to Help running shoes last longer
With just a few easy tweaks to your running routine, you can help to make your shoes last longer and stay in better condition. Check them out below!
Remove them correctly
Resist the urge to use one foot to wedge off your shoe. This will distort the shape of the running shoe. Instead, take a second to untie your sneaker and remove it. Admittedly, I have done this myself.
Keep your runners just for running
Avoid wearing your running shoes for walking, gym days, or casual wear. This can wear down your shoes faster and lead to their need to be replaced more often. Keeping an older pair for walking around is a great idea though.
Rotate your shoes
“Just like your body needs rest, shoes need rest days as well. When foam gets compressed and sweaty, it needs time to bounce back and dry out.” Rotating between 2 pairs of shoes allows them to dry out fully before the next use.
Keep track of mileage
Pay attention to the wear and tear of your shoes by keeping track of mileage. Apps like Strava can automatically do this for you and let you know when to replace your shoes. This allows helps to prevent injuries from worn-out shoes.
Protect them from the elements
Avoid storing your shoes in extreme heat or cold conditions (like a garage or car). They are not designed to hold up in those conditions.
Dry them out after a rainy run
Running shoes are engineered for running in any conditions, but they do need a little TLC post run. After a rainy or snowy run, remove the soft liner and stuff your shoes with newspaper to absorb the moisture. Do not ever put your running shoes in the dryer! Wipe off any mud with a wet wipe and allow to dry completely before wearing again. It’s a good idea to keep one pair to use for bad weather days.
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With so many running shoes, I always like to alternate which ones I wear. These are great tips!
I believe alternating them is a great way to extend their life
Very interesting post. I have always followed all these tips, except the first: sometimes I don’t remove them correctly but I must learn to do it.
I know it can be tempting to just flip them off but it can distort the heel area. I had one pair I could never get back
I am so glad I got on the Rotate Your Shoes bandwagon several years ago. It has really helped me get the best use out of my “newborn” shoes, as well prolong the life of the “senior” shoes 😉
Yes, I agree it does help them last longer
Thanks for the great tips. I tend to take my shoes off improperly, and not dry them. Appreciate the reminders!
I used to just flip them off as well but I damaged the heel of a pair and could never get it back
Great tips. I go through a LOT of running shoes because I run 1000 miles a year. I also have a few pairs that I rotate and I only wear my running shoes for running. I do not track the mileage… too time consuming for me.
It definitely helps to rotate them and keep them just for running
The newspaper trick really helps them dry quickly. The only problem is, now we don’t have newspapers around anymore! I should keep a stack of them just to put in wet running shoes. I do all these things except lately I’ve just been running in one pair, not rotating. Thanks for the reminder!
If you don’t have newspaper, you can also use the packing paper that comes in some boxes.Rotating shoes really helps especially in humid conditions like yours where your shoes get really sweaty
These are all great tips. Keeping my running shoes just for running has definitely helped me prolong their shelf life.
Yes, it really does
I always rotate between at least 2 pairs, usually 3 (2 for slower runs, 1 for speedwork). I do at least untie them before taking them off, but I never clean them. Oops!
Thanks for the great tips, Deborah!
untying them is so helpful. I really ruined the heels of a pair and could never get them back
I mean if you should alternate two, that definitely means you should alternate five right? o:)
So guilty of wedging them off, but on the plus side I nail the old man challenge.
ha sounds like a plan to me!
I routinely do a few of these sneaker faux pas haha and I actually need a new pair right now! I do, however, rotate between a few pairs at once: one for indoor workouts, which have never been outside, and one for walking & hiking outside.
Good idea to keep one for inside use!
Great tips! I alternate shoes and Try to store them safely, although my toddler gets into them and likes to play with them!