When is the right moment to change your running shoes?
A very frequent question among runners and walkers .... when is it appropriate to replace running shoes / sport walking?
Obviously it is an interesting question as the shoes derive different aspects that qualify and make the sporting activity healthier and safer.
The change of running shoes has nothing to do with aesthetics, but concerns the health of the feet, knees and spine: the longer you run with a worn shoe, the greater the chances of resorting to trauma or injury , starting from the arch of the foot.
But when is it time to change them? From what we understand that the shoes have become (as they say in jargon) "discharges"?
There is no universal answer, as each model is different and each runner is different from another .... however there are some tricks that help and guide towards a sensible feedback.
The range of use at the performance level is usually and statistically agreed between the 450-850 km traveled.
1) The consumption of the sole is certainly an objective factor of evaluation, which however must be examined together with the fact that the athlete has actually used the shoe on the type of terrain for which it was designed: a trail shoe used mainly on asphalt ground, for example it is consumed much more quickly and vice versa.
The rule is to use the product mainly or exclusively for the purpose, in this case the land for which it was built.
Furthermore it is harmful and counterproductive to exploit a sole until its complete wear: when you notice that the wear starts to be evident or with the tread no longer linear, it is to be considered the shoe suitable for everyday walking, but no longer appropriate for sports activities.
It is therefore correct, to prevent injuries or annoying inflammations, to replace the shoe in time: if you are not expert enough to carry out this evaluation, the specialized shops, surely have an adequate competence in doing so and you can turn to them for a advice.
2) As a second determining factor in the evaluation, it is undoubtedly linked to the characteristics of the athlete such as height, weight, constitution, training frequency.
It is certainly important to identify if the runner alternates running shoes (always having two pairs available) or if he always uses a single one: in this second case, of course, wear occurs much earlier.
A final step to complete the change of "old, with new ones" is certainly to think about the environment and the second purpose for which shoes can be used: after wearing shoes, when they are no longer usable even for walking , don't throw them ... we're working to make our contribution to a better world .... let's recycle them !!!