How To Make Running Shoes Last

After you’ve devoted time and money to finding the perfect running shoes, take special care, so you can get the most mileage out of your investment.

Step 1

Store your shoes in a cool, dry place. Don’t keep them in a hot car in the summer or a cold garage in the winter. Extreme conditions can break down the cushioning and supportive materials.
Step 2

Air out your shoes in between runs. If they get very damp and sweaty, remove the insoles and let them thoroughly dry. If they don’t have time to fully dry (if, for example, you run twice a day in a warm climate) consider buying another pair and alternating them each day.
Step 3

Wear socks with your running shoes. Bare feet don’t compromise the durability of the shoe, but they do make them smell worse. And sometimes smell alone will compel you to buy another pair before it’s actually necessary.
Step 4

Rotate your shoes depending on workouts. Wear a lighter, more flexible shoe for track workouts and a sturdier, more supportive shoe for long runs. (The exact shoe depends on your foot type.) In general, lighter shoes will break down faster than heavier ones, but their durability also depends on frequency of use. If you run thrice-weekly track workouts, you could benefit from lighter shoes. Monthly track stars should save their money and stick with one all-purpose pair.
Step 5

Don’t walk in your shoes. That is, don’t run errands in them or use them for other sports. Have a separate pair of kick-around sneakers and run in your running shoes.
Step 6

It’s OK to wash them. Take the insole out of the shoe and throw it in the wash with the shoes. Let them dry naturally, but do not leave them to bake outside.
Step 7

Run on grass or a soft trail instead of pavement. This not only extends the life of your shoes, but your legs as well.

By Elizabeth McGuire
eHow Contributing Writer

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Source : About.com

It’s important to replace your running shoes every 483km(300 miles) to 644km(400 miles), but getting new shoes every couple of months can get expensive. But the better you take care of your running shoes, the longer they’ll last. Here are some tips for making your running shoes last longer:

Wear your running shoes only for exercise.

Although they may be your most comfortable pair of shoes, don’t wear your running shoes for anything other than running or working out. Even if you’re just walking around, you’re still wearing out the cushioning.

Take them on and off properly.

When you’re in a rush, it’s tempting to try to take your running shoes on and off without undoing the laces. Make sure you loosen the laces before you put your shoes on and take them off.

Dry your wet shoes properly.

If your shoes get wet, don’t put them on direct heat, like on a radiator. Heat dries out the leather and other materials in the shoes. To dry your running shoes properly, loosen the laces, take out the insoles, and let them air dry, away from direct heat. To help them dry faster, you can put crumpled-up newspaper inside of them.

Alternate shoes.

If you run almost every day, it’s beneficial to rotate two pairs of running shoes. Your shoes will last longer when you give them a day or two to decompress and dry out between workouts.

Store your shoes properly.

Keep your shoes in a cool, dry place where they can air out properly. Don’t leave them in places like a gym bag or a hot trunk.

Don’t put them in the washing machine.

If you need to clean your shoes, use a scrub brush, mild soap, and cold water, and then let them air dry.

One thought on “How To Make Running Shoes Last”

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Lake Louise Personal Trainer says:

February 11, 2010 at 2:42 pm

Wonderful Evening, Wonderful story. fake, specially from the major news corperations with the big slants to the left or right. Did you see last nights Late Show? haha, that was hilarious! Sorry, I’m rambling on over again. Have a Wonderful 1!