Mileage/pair of runners

Comic Book Guy

Hi All,

Just a quick query for the more experienced athletes on here.

What kind of mileage can you reasonably expect to get from a decent pair of runners. I have a pair of Asics used solely for running on main roads and was just wondering when i should be looking at changing them.

DublinDilbert

If you ask the likes of asics they will say of the order of 500 miles, but then again they would say that. I usually strech them to well over 800miles with no adverse effects.

Was chatting to a guy who is using the five fingers, he said there is no recommended interval for replacing them, has his current pair > 4 years and has done big milage in them.

HeidiHeidi

I've been told 500_600 miles by my (physio) sister.

b.harte

It depends,
I'm a heavy build, 93 kg and 186cm.
I run mostly on my mid-foot/toes but heel strike when I'm tired or at long distances.
I've just rotated out a pair of Nike Pegasus after 787km (logged with training peaks and in a spreadsheet.) because the foam under the toes on the right shoe went soft, I was getting pain under the balls of my toes. Went away when I switched to a different pair of shoes.
I used those runners for all of my long runs and rarely ran in them on two consecutive days.
I had 2 pairs of "road" shoes that I rotated, and added a 3rd pair to the mix when the pegasus got to 650km.
Now that the pegasus are out I've switched to my next shoe in mileage and will use this until about 750km.
I'll bring the mileages on the other shoes along, and just got a replacement pair of pegasus that will stay a low milage shoe for a while.
my last few pairs of shoes before this were asics gel 1140/50/60 and I think I did see bigger mileage on those, but I wasn't doing any runs over 20km, so this may be why.
I remember reading / hearing before that a good measure of the life in a shoe is how the foam reacts (ie returns to shape) when you press it and leave it go, also deep creases on the foam might mean the foam is soft. Another thing I notice is the curve along the sole of a shoe, if there is a visible up-curve on the toe area it may be that foot-bed of the shoe is nearing end of life.
My own view is that if you start getting aches and pains in knees and toes it's time to go shopping.

Sorry for the long post.

jeffontour

I am a firm believer in wearing them until they fall apart. I was wearing Mizuno wave riders for a while, put 1600km in the last pair. Switched to inov8 roadx 233s after them. I just passed 2000km in that pair. The outsole is worn through and there are holes in the upper, so they need replacing.

Don't believe everything you read in terms of having to replace shoes after x mileage. Wear them as long as you feel comfortable in them would be my rule of thumb.

TFBubendorfer

I rotate 2 or 3 pairs and change my oldest pair of runners whenever I feel a niggle in my legs coming on. It used to be 400 miles but has become longer and longer over time. My present oldest pair of shoes has over 1000 miles on them by now.

Mumontherun

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I rotate 2 or 3 pairs and change my oldest pair of runners whenever I feel a niggle in my legs coming on. It used to be 400 miles but has become longer and longer over time. My present oldest pair of shoes has over 1000 miles on them by now.

2 or 3 pairs, wow, you spend that much on trainers?

bazman

For cushioned runners I'd get about 100hrs of running, but I run lots on phoenix park trails - prob 70-80hrs for road running. For racing flats I'd generally get about 10 races & then relegate to interval training for another 20-30 sessions ...

Don't think it's an exact science, but by looking at sole you can generally tell if it's time for new pair. Signs to watch or are creases in cushion & wear sole. If you're injury prone, low mileage runner or wear your shoes casually also then change shoes more frequently ...

RoyMcC

jeffontour wrote: »

I am a firm believer in wearing them until they fall apart. I was wearing Mizuno wave riders for a while, put 1600km in the last pair. Switched to inov8 roadx 233s after them. I just passed 2000km in that pair. The outsole is worn through and there are holes in the upper, so they need replacing.

Don't believe everything you read in terms of having to replace shoes after x mileage. Wear them as long as you feel comfortable in them would be my rule of thumb.

I'm pretty much in your camp from experience. If, however, I was a newbie I'd be playing safer and listening to good athletes like Bazman and TFB.

huskerdu

RoyMcC wrote: »

I'm pretty much in your camp from experience. If, however, I was a newbie I'd be playing safer and listening to good athletes like Bazman and TFB.

I agree, but this thread has made me make an appointment with Amphibian King.

My ITB Syndrome came back for the first time in 18 months recently, and I am gutted. I thought I was doing everything to avoid it.

But, I am wearing a pair of 14 month old runners with 1200km on them.

I don't care if its just comfort shopping, I need new runners.

wrstan

huskerdu wrote: »

I am wearing a pair of 14 month old runners with 1200km on them.

I don't care if its just comfort shopping, I need new runners.

It's not just comfort shopping - you NEED new runners (well unless they're covered in bling with 8" heels made by Jimmy Choo, now that'd be comfort shopping! :P)

I may be the contrarian in this discussion, but seriously I would never let my runners get anywhere near 1200km, even if I added them both together!

roro2

After about 500miles, mostly on roads, I notice that my runners (Asics Nimbus) tend to feel "dead" and don't provide the support/cushioning that they should, and I relegate them to shorter beach runs. While I mightn't necessarily "need" a new pair, I feel that I'm risking injury/discomfort if I carry on with the used pair, especially over longer distances (14-15+ miles).

boost creep

i have a pair of Newton running shoes with at least 2500 miles on them, possibly even more actually but they're not finished yet!

bike2wkr

Depends how much road running or running on soft surface I do - this would dictate how long Id keep a pair of runners.
If you use this running log from the deads runners society you can enter 5 pairs of runners that you use and log which pair you use for each run. Handy just to keep an eye on mileage per pair of runner.
http://www.davidhays.net/running/runlog/runlog.html

Comic Book Guy

Thanks for the feedback all.

Some interesting stuff. Have about 700 miles up on my current pair and never thought about changing them but might have to rethink this now!

Oisin11178

just about to go over 1000 miles in a pair of lunarglide 3s. They are on their last legs mind you. Nearly double what i usually get out of a pair.

ultraman1

RoyMcC wrote: »

I'm pretty much in your camp from experience. If, however, I was a newbie I'd be playing safer and listening to good athletes like Bazman and TFB.

jeff...,not a good athlete:(

RoyMcC

ultraman1 wrote: »

jeff...,not a good athlete:(

Quite clearly that wasn't my implication. But what jeffontour does and what I do (not a good athlete ) you wouldn't want to advise a beginner to do. Would you?

ray lanigan

just put my feet into my fifth pair since christmas:o

TFBubendorfer

ray lanigan wrote: »

just put my feet into my fifth pair since christmas:o

Is that about 500 miles per pair then?

jeffontour

RoyMcC wrote: »

Quite clearly that wasn't my implication. But what jeffontour does and what I do (not a good athlete ) you wouldn't want to advise a beginner to do. Would you?

Thanks ultraman1 for rushing to my defence, if only you ran that fast!

Getting back to my post though, I'd recommend people to run in shoes so long as they are comfortable, regardless of experience. I don't think experience/time running comes into it.

If you run in them without discomfort and they provide traction for the surface you are on, they are fit for purpose in my world. But each to their own. I would love an excuse to buy New shoes but the current ones being dirty or reaching an arbitrary number based on nothing specific to me is not reason enough for me.

ultraman1

jeffontour wrote: »

Thanks ultraman1 for rushing to my defence, if only you ran that fast!

Getting back to my post though, I'd recommend people to run in shoes so long as they are comfortable, regardless of experience. I don't think experience/time running comes into it.

If you run in them without discomfort and they provide traction for the surface you are on, they are fit for purpose in my world. But each to their own. I would love an excuse to buy New shoes but the current ones being dirty or reaching an arbitrary number based on nothing specific to me is not reason enough for me.

thats wat id recommend,,,,,but wont be defendin u again

sconhome

jeffontour wrote: »

Getting back to my post though, I'd recommend people to run in shoes so long as they are comfortable, regardless of experience. I don't think experience/time running comes into it.

If you run in them without discomfort and they provide traction for the surface you are on, they are fit for purpose in my world. But each to their own. I would love an excuse to buy New shoes but the current ones being dirty or reaching an arbitrary number based on nothing specific to me is not reason enough for me.

+1

Guideline life is 500 miles on average for shoes. All depends on each individual person.

TFBubendorfer

jeffontour wrote: »

I'd recommend people to run in shoes so long as they are comfortable

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

change my oldest pair of runners whenever I feel a niggle in my legs coming on

Aren't we saying pretty much the same thing anyway (except that I still recommend rotating 2 or 3 pairs instead of wearing the same pair every day) ?

tHE vAGGABOND

I rotate 2 or 3 pairs and change my oldest pair of runners whenever I feel a niggle in my legs coming on

+1 - I do this too, and I think it makes a big difference.

All depends on each individual person.

Yup, I think a lot depends on your body size and weight - so I get more out of them now than I got 18 months ago when I was a bit heavier.

jeffontour

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Aren't we saying pretty much the same thing anyway (except that I still recommend rotating 2 or 3 pairs instead of wearing the same pair every day) ?

Yeah. I wouldn't look to my shoes at the first sign of a niggle though. I think the shoes degrade so slowly that any change in shoe you have time to adjust to. But again it's just my take on it.

As for rotating several pairs, it's the ideal situation really. As it allows for dry shoes when one pair are wet, and if one falls to pieces you're not faced with risking an event with a new pair of shoes you've not broken in yet.

Which is another point, I'd MUCH prefer use a battered pair of shoes whose problems I knew than a newer pair with unknown misery attached in a target event.

rom

I have had no niggles this year so far. Now that two pairs that I am rotating are approaching the 500 mark, I am getting a small niggles. I am not going to use them anymore for sessions and will retire them at 500. Last year I wore a pair of asics into the ground with like 800/900 miles on them and I was in the physio every 2nd week. I went to the physio twice this year and it was not running related so ...

Also I only started to rotate this year. Hesitantly due to the cost to be honest but it has made a huge difference enabling me to run longer and more often.

Just think that you are running on a sponge and if its wet you have no cushion so it has to dry out. If you dry them on a rad or similar then they shirk and will hurt so you need two pairs.

If the life of a pair is 500 miles and the average price is like 100 euro (nice round number) then thats 20 cent per mile.

RoyMcC

rom wrote: »

Just think that you are running on a sponge and if its wet you have no cushion so it has to dry out. If you dry them on a rad or similar then they shirk and will hurt so you need two pairs.

But is there a comparison with wearing out your standard runners i.e. seeing the cushioning reduce, and transitioning from standard runners to minimalist shoes or racing flats?

In both instances you're going from a cushioned situation to one that is less so.

Surely only if your body cannot tolerate the transition do you need to change your runners when the manufacturers say so? (And of course they will give a low mileage when this should occur.)

Of course if you're getting significant niggles, and these niggles are fixed by buying new, then maybe you're best off playing safe.

rom

RoyMcC wrote: »

But is there a comparison with wearing out your standard runners i.e. seeing the cushioning reduce, and transitioning from standard runners to minimalist shoes or racing flats?

In both instances you're going from a cushioned situation to one that is less so.

Surely only if your body cannot tolerate the transition do you need to change your runners when the manufacturers say so? (And of course they will give a low mileage when this should occur.)

Of course if you're getting significant niggles, and these niggles are fixed by buying new, then maybe you're best off playing safe.

transitioning is a slow process. I plan to do it over 18 months or so but if your down to a minimalist shoe you ain't be getting much information from this thread anyways or you know much more about it.

Condo131

I've worn Nike Pegasus for many years (I swear by them!) and expect to get up to 1,200 miles on a pair. I usually relegate shoes when they become 'dead' - bounce gone out of them. The 'relegated' pair are washed and worn as walking around shoes.
NB: If your shoes are over 6 months old, you can expect them to be 'dead' - bounce gone!

rom

Condo131 wrote: »

I've worn Nike Pegasus for many years (I swear by them!) and expect to get up to 1,200 miles on a pair. I usually relegate shoes when they become 'dead' - bounce gone out of them. The 'relegated' pair are washed and worn as walking around shoes.
NB: If your shoes are over 6 months old, you can expect them to be 'dead' - bounce gone!

So your saying don't buy end of line/stale or after 6 months or use irrespective of build date ? So how do you know they are dead ? Do you think you should buy last seasons runners to save money or is the bounce gone ? You say that you get 1,200 per pair. if your rotating 2 pair then thats 4800 miles a year needed to get that. Am I missing something ?

Condo131

No, I'm saying that after 6 months use, plus exposure to light, heat, elements etc, I find that they're 'dead'. I usually find the heel area doesn't compress as well when pressed. I recommend not buying shoes that have been in the shop for ages - buy from a mainstream running shop. Anytime I've ever bought from one of these other 'sports' shops, I've generally replaced sooner rather than later. I've bought older lines from UK mail order shops with no problem.

I used to have two pairs of shoes on the go, many years ago, and mileage was of the order of 4,500 miles pa. I only have one pair at a time now, apart from racers. Replaced shoes last week, had been going since Nov. Subject to checking my logs, probably 1,100 - 1,200 on them.

rom

Condo131 wrote: »

No, I'm saying that after 6 months use, plus exposure to light, heat, elements etc, I find that they're 'dead'. I usually find the heel area doesn't compress as well when pressed. I recommend not buying shoes that have been in the shop for ages - buy from a mainstream running shop. Anytime I've ever bought from one of these other 'sports' shops, I've generally replaced sooner rather than later. I've bought older lines from UK mail order shops with no problem.

I used to have two pairs of shoes on the go, many years ago, and mileage was of the order of 4,500 miles pa. I only have one pair at a time now, apart from racers. Replaced shoes last week, had been going since Nov. Subject to checking my logs, probably 1,100 - 1,200 on them.

Just confused by "6 months use" as its different for lots of people. They hardly age the same for everyone so that's why miles rather than time can be a better guide I think. Maybe I am wrong. Only new to it myself, so thats why I am asking. re: not buying shoes that have been in the shop for ages - how do you know that they have, any tips ? similar mileage in the same time but I will be dumping 2 pairs soon that I got in Dec. tbh I am interested in saving money but I have no idea when a shoe is end of life, other than a niggle I get from them at the moment which might not be down to the shoes at all. If I could bring down paying 500 euro on runners for the year by some more tips it would be appreciated but I worry that I will pay in the long run in the physio. re you not rotating more than one pair presently. just wondering why you changed that ?

sconhome

RoyMcC wrote: »

But is there a comparison with wearing out your standard runners i.e. seeing the cushioning reduce, and transitioning from standard runners to minimalist shoes or racing flats?

In both instances you're going from a cushioned situation to one that is less so.

Not necessarily so.

Minimalism is more about the engineered heel to toe profile of the shoe. By lowering the shoe heel wedge under the shoe you change the angle of the foot strike by bringing the foot closer under your centre of gravity.

This leads to more efficient mid foot / fore foot striking with less impact absorbtion required by the shoe. In theory an efficient runner (person) will get much more mileage from any pair of shoes than an inefficient runner (person) and even more mileage from a minimalist pair of shoes.

As said previously, it is really individual.

Surface definitely has a big effect on life of shoes.

Miles likely to get out of shoe...

grass > trail > tarmac > concrete


I can feel a slight soreness in knees or shins when the cushioning is gone. The shoe might still look brand new but it's had it for running. Rotating / Alternating a few pairs of runners seems to extend the life definitely.

Condo131

rom wrote: »

They hardly age the same for everyone so that's why miles rather than time can be a better guide I think.

It's a bit of both: Mileage is clearly going to age your shoes, so that's a given. However heat and light both have an effect, so even if your shoes are sitting on the windowsill - :eek: - they're still ageing.

rom wrote: »

Maybe I am wrong. Only new to it myself, so thats why I am asking. re: not buying shoes that have been in the shop for ages - how do you know that they have, any tips ?

You can only guess. It's not too bad if they've been in a dark storeroom for ages, but if they've been on display, maybe under a spotlight, then... Hmmm. I like Pegasus for their cushioning. However if I go into certain non-mainstream running shops and squeeze the heels of the display models, I reckon that many are hard. Where does display stock go? Bin?? Sale?? I prefer to get my shoes where there is a fast stock turnover...but I still squeeze the heels!

rom wrote: »

similar mileage in the same time but I will be dumping 2 pairs soon that I got in Dec. re you not rotating more than one pair presently. just wondering why you changed that ?

I do about half the mileage that I used to do 20 years ago, so I feel that one pair is enough. In recent times, the only times I've felt a need for a second pair is when a) I've got them absolutely soaked - solved by stuffing with newspaper and b) Training in muddy conditions - then I use a recently retired pair that I consider past their "use by" date for the road.

Maintenance tips:
Wet shoes: Immediately you take them off,remove insoles and then stuff with crunched up newspapers. No matter how wet, you'll be able to wear them th following day.
Smelly shoes - e.g. like cat's p1ss: Liberally sprinkle bread soda on them.
Wear on sole at toe: When wear shows, every day/few days put a small dollop of something like "Shoe Goo" or Witch (wetsuit repair glue). This stuff doesn't last, but you may extend the useful life of your shoes by several weeks. I do this regularly.

BeepBeep67

Condo131 wrote: »

Maintenance tips:
Wet shoes: Immediately you take them off,remove insoles and then stuff with crunched up newspapers. No matter how wet, you'll be able to wear them th following day.
Smelly shoes - e.g. like cat's p1ss: Liberally sprinkle bread soda on them.
Wear on sole at toe: When wear shoes, every day/few days put a small dollop of something like "Shoe Goo" or Witch (wetsuit repair glue). This stuff doesn't last, but you may extend the useful life of your shoes by several weeks. I do this regularly.

Toe Peaking through the fabric - Line the inside of the shoe with Duck tape, ensuring you go beyond any rub points.

RayCun

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Toe Peaking through the fabric - Stop buying Asics

fyp

JohnnyCrash

It aint just Asics. My toe is starting to peep through my lunarglides and a mate of mine is in Adidas,same thing;)

wrstan

Or maybe just clip your big toe nails!

JohnnyCrash

wrstan wrote: »

Or maybe just clip your big toe nails!

I'll have you know I have perfectly clipped toenails:p

jeffontour

Needle and thread does the job for the toe peak. My left foot is a little bigger than my right and it also tends to point up a bit,so I always put the toe out on that side.

If you can darn a sock, you can darn a running shoe!

jeffontour

Needle and thread does the job for the toe peek. My left foot is a little bigger than my right and it also tends to point up a bit,so I always put the toe out on that side.

If you can darn a sock, you can darn a running shoe!

BeepBeep67

RayCun wrote: »

fyp

Haven't bought Asics since the 90's :eek: have even bought Rebook and Fila since then double :eek:

TFBubendorfer

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Toe Peaking through the fabric - Line the inside of the shoe with Duck tape, ensuring you go beyond any rub points.

Toe Peaking through the fabric - you shoes are too small. I buy running shoes a full size bigger than my office shoes. I am size 8, but my runners are all size 9. I am sure that's the reason why I never get blisters and never lost a toe nail either.

ultraman1

jeffontour wrote: »

If you can darn a sock, you can darn a running shoe!

jeff,always thought of u as the bear grylls of running,rather dan a haberdashery sales person;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9hv44QwQ-A