Do you HAVE to change shoes?

Have Asics Gel 3030 bought for a couple of marathons about 3 years back. Much of my running since then is trail and have gone through other trail runners, but these seem fine. Sure, they are worn etc. and presume the "spring" went 1 or 2 thousand km ago.

The thing is, I'm comfortable in them. And they are still in one piece. And I'm a little nervous that if I change, then I'll start to notice niggles and pains that I remember with other shoes but never got with these.

So would you change for the sake of change, or go by the if it ain't broke don't fix it adage?

libelula

Conor74 wrote: »

Have Asics Gel 3030 bought for a couple of marathons about 3 years back. Much of my running since then is trail and have gone through other trail runners, but these seem fine. Sure, they are worn etc. and presume the "spring" went 1 or 2 thousand km ago.

The thing is, I'm comfortable in them. And they are still in one piece. And I'm a little nervous that if I change, then I'll start to notice niggles and pains that I remember with other shoes but never got with these.

So would you change for the sake of change, or go by the if it ain't broke don't fix it adage?

This a thousand times

I know it's time for new trainers by my ankles and knees. I can't describe the feeling properly but it's like they're more tired and feeling the impact a bit more due to the worn out runners.

Everybody's different, do what works for you.

Enduro

The minimalist/barefoot type of thinking would presumably say no you don't.

tunguska

Conor74 wrote: »

So would you change for the sake of change, or go by the if it ain't broke don't fix it adage?

For sure, if aint broke..........I used to be the type who'd obediantly buy new runners every few months. I think at one stage I was buying new ones every 3 months or so, which is madness. Then I just said fook that, Im not gonna replace the shoes Im using and just keep running in them. It was 2 years before I bought a new pair of T7s and that was only because the fabric had ripped at the sides and my foot was no longer being contained by the shoe. Other than that they were grand. People are too quick to buy new shoes, theyre so afraid of getting injured or niggles but its all propaganda and scare mongering spread by shoe companies to keep you buying sh1t you dont need.

sconhome

Conor74 wrote: »

So would you change for the sake of change, or go by the if it ain't broke don't fix it adage?

Absolutely no need to change.

tunguska wrote: »

..all propaganda and scare mongering spread by shoe companies to keep you buying sh1t you dont need.

No it's not.

There is material science behind it which suggests a recommended lifespan gauged by when the rebound of the midsole foam is less than 50% effective based on the average user weight, stride, frequency of use etc.

Tis quite interesting but it can take many 1,000's of miles to 'kill' a shoe, stone dead to the point of no cushioning protection but even at this stage the shoe will still 'feel' cushiony but there is no resistance to force in the properties.

The guided lifespan of 500-600 miles is based on the average maximum effectiveness of the shoes cushioning. Most people burst through the mesh (again material science - fatigue of materials) before their shoe is close to 'dead'.

Wild Garlic

Enduro wrote: »

The minimalist/barefoot type of thinking would presumably say no you don't.

Ah, but this type of thinking produces champions everywhere.....

gucci

libelula wrote: »

This a thousand times

I know it's time for new trainers by my ankles and knees. I can't describe the feeling properly but it's like they're more tired and feeling the impact a bit more due to the worn out runners.

Everybody's different, do what works for you.

I know the exact feeling, I think I get a bit more fatigue in my calves as well which is probably as much down to my heal strike as my knackered shoes)
I have always brought in my old shoes to the shop as well to use as a gauge to compare to whatever I am about to buy and I get the "You really got your moneys worth out of these pair" look from the staff as they try to avoid touching them!!!
It also makes new shoes feel even more amazing, when you have went from a proper wore out pair to a new pair, really adds to the experience