Questionnaire: When is it time for new running shoes?

chrismean · 12-02-2020 10:31am #1

Hi Runners,

I thought it could be interesting to put together a short questionnaire on how we manage our running shoes, when we replace & some of the related factors.

Running shoe companies have set out some guidelines for shoe replacement: Asics says about 450 to 550 miles. Brooks differentiates between their shoe models, suggesting that you can get 300-500 miles from their everyday pairs, or about 250-300 miles from their lightweight racers. A Saucony rep says about 300-500 miles, depending on your gait. Two of the big American running stores (Road Runner Sports , REI) write online that you can expect up to about 500 miles from a pair.

But what are people doing in the real world? I will report back with the data and statistics from this short questionnaire....it will be fun!

https://is.gd/runningshoewear

Parkrun · 12-02-2020 1:08pm

Was about to fill it out, then seen 'non binary' as a gender option. I closed it down.

chrismean · 12-02-2020 1:15pm

In fairness, I just followed best practice guidelines for asking about gender:

https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3338283

Rossi7 · 12-02-2020 3:39pm

Parkrun wrote: »

Was about to fill it out, then seen 'non binary' as a gender option. I closed it down.

So much for your user name advocating "inclusiveness and wellbeing" :rolleyes:

Murph_D · 12-02-2020 4:57pm

Rossi7 wrote: »

So much for your user name advocating "inclusiveness and wellbeing" :rolleyes:

Not to mention the uppercase 'p' :rolleyes:

Parkrun · 13-02-2020 4:17am

Rossi7 wrote: »

So much for your user name advocating "inclusiveness and wellbeing" :rolleyes:

I'm totally for advocating inclusiveness & wellbeing for all males and females, 100%.

chrismean · 13-02-2020 10:31am

Ok @Parkrun.
I'm just happy if this thread is seen by more people.

174 respondents, but mainly participants identifying as male! Be great to get more of a mix

rainbow kirby · 13-02-2020 10:48am

Done, and it's nice to see some inclusivity in survey design.

IvoryTower · 13-02-2020 11:46am

i don't keep track of how many miles I use them before I change them, sorry!

chrismean · 13-02-2020 1:32pm

Thanks @ivorytower - i ask about other ways people decide when it's time to replace too....

PaulieC · 13-02-2020 1:44pm

What brand do you wear - Adidas
What Model - no adidas in the list :eek:

Maybe if you spent more time on the *actual* intention of the survey i.e. how long do your shoes last, it might be worthwhile.

FWIW, I wear Adidas Ultraboost. My current longest wearing pair have about 650 miles on them. Previously retired pair had 850

chrismean · 13-02-2020 1:50pm

Adidas is in the List (everyday shoes). And there's space to add it in as 'Other' for space.
I pulled a list of bestselling models for each broad categorisation.

Who knows how long shoes actually last? There is no singular test available for this. I'm interested in strategies people take to determine. It was just meant as a bit of fun, and maybe I would design a proper study if anything interesting emerges.

IvoryTower · 13-02-2020 2:06pm

chrismean wrote: »

Thanks @ivorytower - i ask about other ways people decide when it's time to replace too....

Okay yes I didn't have to answer it, done!

Ceepo · 13-02-2020 5:54pm

chrismean wrote: »

Hi Runners,

I thought it could be interesting to put together a short questionnaire on how we manage our running shoes, when we replace & some of the related factors.

Running shoe companies have set out some guidelines for shoe replacement: Asics says about 450 to 550 miles. Brooks differentiates between their shoe models, suggesting that you can get 300-500 miles from their everyday pairs, or about 250-300 miles from their lightweight racers. A Saucony rep says about 300-500 miles, depending on your gait. Two of the big American running stores (Road Runner Sports , REI) write online that you can expect up to about 500 miles from a pair.

But what are people doing in the real world? I will report back with the data and statistics from this short questionnaire....it will be fun!

https://is.gd/runningshoewear

Do you mind me asking, what is your intention with the results of the survey.

In a remarkable coincidence there is the exact same thread on letsrun and would you believe I was also started yesterday.

https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=9835658#9836545

Ceepo · 13-02-2020 5:54pm

chrismean wrote: »

Hi Runners,

I thought it could be interesting to put together a short questionnaire on how we manage our running shoes, when we replace & some of the related factors.

Running shoe companies have set out some guidelines for shoe replacement: Asics says about 450 to 550 miles. Brooks differentiates between their shoe models, suggesting that you can get 300-500 miles from their everyday pairs, or about 250-300 miles from their lightweight racers. A Saucony rep says about 300-500 miles, depending on your gait. Two of the big American running stores (Road Runner Sports , REI) write online that you can expect up to about 500 miles from a pair.

But what are people doing in the real world? I will report back with the data and statistics from this short questionnaire....it will be fun!

https://is.gd/runningshoewear

Do you mind me asking, what is your intention with the results of the survey.

In a remarkable coincidence there is the exact same thread on letsrun and would you believe I was also started yesterday.

https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=9835658#9836545

chrismean · 14-02-2020 10:33am

Just out of general curiosity really. I couldn't find any good data on shoe changing behaviour - and i thought it could be interesting to look at with a rough and ready questionnaire.

IvoryTower · 14-02-2020 10:35am

ARE YOU NIKE

chrismean · 14-02-2020 10:35am

HA I wish!

ted1 · 16-02-2020 12:14am

chrismean wrote: »

HA I wish!

Decathlon?

chrismean · 25-07-2023 12:20pm

Some brief results:

Who answered? Most respondents were male (n=224, 85,8%), weighing between 60 and 80kgs (ca. 70%) and the age category 40-50 years was the most selected (22.5%). Most reported a neutral style (51%), midfoot striking (57%) and 28% (the largest category) ran between 60 and 80km a week. Finally, the majority reported running for the previous 5- 10 years (37%).

What shoes are people wearing? Nike was the most popular shoe brand for everyday trainers (26.6%; Pegasus specifically 15.4% selected), with Brooks the 2nd most popular (16%). Nike was also the clear winner for the fast speed workout shoe, with 43% selecting the category.

When and why are people changing shoes? For everyday shoes, we have a 2-peak distribution of responses, at 500-600km (16%) and the "late changers" at 1100- 1200 km (14.2%). Most are reporting changing their fast shoes much earlier, with 40% saying they changed their shoes between 300 and 500km.

People primarily changed their shoe when it felt "dead" (60%), in the hope of avoiding injury (75.5%).

Figure: Counts of respondents selecting each category (kms at which you change your shoes)

*Questionnaire*: When is it time for new running shoes?

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Questionnaire: When is it time for new running shoes?