How long does a pair of runners last in the box (unused)?

ergo · 15-12-2013 09:58PM #1

As per the title

I bought a nice pair of Nike Zoom Vomeros online from the States during the summer, didn't manage to use them (same model and size as my last 3 pairs which have suited me injury-wise)- thinking of keeping them until my next marathon attempt which won't be until at least 2015 as 2014 shaping up too busy and playing football also

I then hear talk/found some vague info online that the silicone/rubber degrades etc etc even when runners never used

anyone have any thoughts or info on this?

ThePiedPiper · 15-12-2013 10:12PM

Seems highly unlikely. I'm still using a pair of runners I bought in January 2008 that have a good 500-600 miles on them.. They're not perfect but for a 7 year old runner they're still very useable.

username123 · 15-12-2013 10:47PM

I've heard this, but more in relation to gel cushioning. Always thought it was a bit of a marketing ploy myself, especially as I see sports shops selling last years models cheap to make room for new stock, surely if there was such a risk of degradation they'd be sold with a warning?

ergo · 15-12-2013 11:27PM

I suppose it wouldn't degrade to the extent that they would be dangerous/require a warning - but could it possibly affect performance/injury etc?

I am ultra cynical about some of the stuff companies come out with and am very dubious about this claim tbh (sorry, can't remmber where exactly I read it) - might need to try and smoke out an engineer for an opinion on this also - storing runners in a cool environment important too I understand if not being used for a long period of time

Sauve · 16-12-2013 01:42AM

This thread has me thinking about runner storage in general, something that never occured to me.

Mine get kicked off in the hall, usually wet, and that's where they stay until the next day. They don't even get the muck and dirt scraped off the heels

TFBubendorfer · 16-12-2013 10:46AM

When my favourite make of shoe (Brooks Green Silence) got discontinued well over a year ago I bought a big stash to keep me going for a while. I'm now on my second last pair and they have been in the box for a year before I started using them.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with them, they are as good as brand new ones, no degradation whatsoever. I have heard that the shoes might degrade if they are exposed to sunlight, which might affect display models in shops, but that's not an issue for shoes that remain in their box, obviously.

Don't believe the nonsense that's spouted to sell some extra pair of shoes.

Sacksian · 16-12-2013 11:23AM

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

When my favourite make of shoe (Brooks Green Silence) got discontinued well over a year ago I bought a big stash to keep me going for a while. I'm now on my second last pair and they have been in the box for a year before I started using them.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with them, they are as good as brand new ones, no degradation whatsoever. I have heard that the shoes might degrade if they are exposed to sunlight, which might affect display models in shops, but that's not an issue for shoes that remain in their box, obviously.

Don't believe the nonsense that's spouted to sell some extra pair of shoes.

Sorry - just thanked because you're a Green Silence aficionado. I may have found the last pair of size 11s online - delivered last week. Am thinking of starting a campaign to bring them back!

sconhome · 16-12-2013 11:41AM

ergo wrote: »

As per the title

I bought a nice pair of Nike Zoom Vomeros online from the States during the summer, didn't manage to use them (same model and size as my last 3 pairs which have suited me injury-wise)- thinking of keeping them until my next marathon attempt which won't be until at least 2015 as 2014 shaping up too busy and playing football also

I then hear talk/found some vague info online that the silicone/rubber degrades etc etc even when runners never used

anyone have any thoughts or info on this?

Rubbish! Unless they are being stored where extremes of temperature are hitting them like in a sun blasted window they will suffer no noticeable degradation.

Condo131 · 17-12-2013 11:00AM

Shoes will last almost indefinitely provided they are not exposed to a) light - keep in the box b) heat (or cold) - keep in a cool place, but not too cold and c) dry conditions - don't store at the back of the garden shed.

I used to race in Nike Air sock - I'd kill to get them again! When they were discontinued, I kept a pair specifically for Marathons and gave them an outing once a year for about 5 years. They were kept in a shoe bag. When they were 9 or 10 years old, with about 4 marathons, and a few HMs, in them, I gave them an outing - their first in 3 or 4 years - just wore them around the house. I noticed some "fluffy stuff" around the house - the midsole had finally come apart! Just as well it didn't happen in the Marathon! :eek:

So......In my experience...they last in the box.

Moral 1: Don't buy shoes that have been on display under hot bright spots, or in a window. Out of the box is 'your only man'
Moral 2: Take similar good care of your regular runners....keep them out of heat, cold light and dry them out (not by heat, hairdryer, whatever)

AEDIC · 19-12-2013 01:47PM

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

When my favourite make of shoe (Brooks Green Silence) got discontinued well over a year ago I bought a big stash to keep me going for a while. I'm now on my second last pair and they have been in the box for a year before I started using them.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with them, they are as good as brand new ones, no degradation whatsoever. I have heard that the shoes might degrade if they are exposed to sunlight, which might affect display models in shops, but that's not an issue for shoes that remain in their box, obviously.

Don't believe the nonsense that's spouted to sell some extra pair of shoes.

I did exactly this with Vomero's just in case they discontinued/changed them.

I am through to my 3rd pair of 5 and they were bought 3 years ago and are still perfect out of the box. I wouldnt worry about the Vomero's at least.

ergo · 19-12-2013 11:27PM

AEDIC wrote: »

I did exactly this with Vomero's just in case they discontinued/changed them.

I am through to my 3rd pair of 5 and they were bought 3 years ago and are still perfect out of the box. I wouldnt worry about the Vomero's at least.

did the same in 2009- I stockpiled 2 pairs of Vomero 3 and then used them last year - 1 pair felt fine, the second (same size) gave me some pain initially - put them back in the cupboard - gave them another go a month later and they were fine

am now on Vomero 7's - don't like the look of the current Vomero 8 - not many Vomero 7's around but might just grab myself another pair or two if I can, after reading these responses (confirming my suspicions really)

How long does a pair of runners last in the box (unused)?

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