Just read the following article on www.runnersworld.co.uk and thought that we would also add some hints and tips that we have picked up. Our comments are in green.
Q: How can I tell when it’s time to replace my shoes?
A: It’s tough – your favourite pair of shoes might feel like an old friend; reliable and with you every step of the way. But however well you treat them, at some point they’ll let you down. Make sure you keep an eye out for telltale signs that they’re past their prime.
“As a rule of thumb a pair of shoes should last you 500 miles. However, this also depends on, among other things, your weight, running style and the terrain you use them for,” says Martin Exley from Brooks Running. If you are unable to calculate your mileage there are two other ways to gauge whether there’s life in the old shoe yet.
- Visible evidence – excessive wear on the outsole or, for severe pronators, a break down in the heel area often indicated by the uppers tending to tilt inwards.
- The ‘feel’ of the shoe. It won’t feel as bouncy as it once did. Over time the ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) in the midsole of your shoe is compressed as you run, squeezing the air out and deadening the spring in your step.
Q: How can I make my shoes last longer?
A: “Don’t put them on the radiator to dry – the heat will destroy the adhesives. If they are wet, stuff them with newspaper and leave them to dry naturally,” says Exley.
We can go one better than newspaper! We have recently tested and have since been telling everyone about the Dryzone Shoe Dryer. It is an absolute miracle worker on wet and smelly running shoes.
All you do is simply place the Dryzone into your running shoes over night. The Dryzone then works works by soaking up moisture from the shoes and locking it away in specially formulated hygroscopic crystals.
The Dryzone Shoe Dryer costs £14.95 and can be reused indefinitely. For further information please click here.
Bargain bins might offer great shoes at a fraction of the normal price, but beware – if they are old models, it means they’ve been decaying as they’ve sat on the shelf. An old shoe won’t offer the same protection as a newly made one, even if it hasn’t been worn. “Over time things like ozone and UV from sunlight will affect EVA negatively and break it down,” says Derek Campbell, an advanced concepts materials engineer 
at Brooks. “Do some research, and if the shoes are over four years old, steer clear.”
This may be a little extreme to suggest that your running shoe will break down if its older than 4 years. However its not necessary to buy shoes that are 4 years old to pick up a bargain. Often you can pick up last years or seasons model for 40% less. A great example of this is the Mizuno Wave Creation 9.
Q: Is it alright to use my running shoes for other sports?
A: You wouldn’t use your ballet pumps for rock climbing. In the same way, “only use your running shoes for running – this is what they were designed for,” says Exley. Other sports can ruin your running shoes – for example, cycle clips can damage the soft uppers of running shoes.
But Route 1 to wrecking and stretching your running shoes is to hit the tennis court or five-a-side pitch in them. “They are not designed for the kind of lateral movement that these sports require.”
Q: Can I use one pair of shoes for all my running?
A: No. Take a nice pair of ultra-lightweight road-racing shoes on a few trail-running events and watch them disintegrate before your eyes. Gritty and stony surfaces will damage a road-racing shoe, which is built for flat, even, asphalt surfaces. Get yourself a trail shoe designed for the rough terrain. You’ll use each different pair less and they’ll end up lasting longer as a result.
We definitely agree with this. Even if you are running on light trails it is worth investing in a pair of trail shoes and now that you can buy them for under £40.00 there is no excuse! Take a look at the Puma Rockhopper 3′s for £39.99
Q: Should I keep racing shoes for races and only train in training shoes then?
A: Have at least two pairs of running shoes to help prolong their life and not wear out too quickly. Do some training in your race shoes though, to get a feel for them and to ensure they are worn in before race day. Don’t try anything new on a race day – that especially includes wearing a brand new pair of shoes.
This is really only necessary if you are a serious runner participating in 2-3 races a month. If you are looking for a secondary race shoe it is worth making the decision based on the distance that you plan to run. Generally we would say that a lightweight racing shoe is fine up to 10k but unless you are a professional athlete you will need something more cushioned for longer distances. A great example of a lightweight racing shoe is the Asics Gel DS 13 and for longer distances we would recommend the Mizuno Wave Rider 11.
Q: How can I stop my shoes from smelling?
A: Regular hand washing and drying, and using clean socks should all help prevent odour problems. You could also use an antibacterial spray between washes. This will help to kill the bacteria and fungus that cause the shoes to smell in the first place.
Again we would definitely recommend the Dryzone shoe dryer for £14.95.
Q: What’s wrong with putting my running shoes in the washing machine or tumble dryer?
A: The cardinal rule of running-shoe care is never put your shoes through the washing machine. “The heat and detergents from a washing machine cycle and tumble dryer break down the adhesives holding your shoes together,” says Exley. The best thing to do if you need to wash your shoes is to do it by hand in lukewarm water. Laborious, but worth it if you respect your shoes – and your wallet.
If you have anymore hints and tips we would really like to hear them!!
