Are you asking yourself, “when should I get new walking shoes?” You’re not alone! This is a common question for new and regular exercisers alike.
You might be surprised to hear that athletic shoes are only built to last for 350-500 miles. It’s often hard to tell from just looking at them if it’s time for a new pair. While walkers can usually get good support past the 500 mile mark, many people judge replacement time by how the shoe looks, and wait too long to replace them.
Walking shoes wear out over a period of months. Your body adapts to the subtle wear and tear, and you may not feel that they need to be replaced until the aches and pains start up. Once you feel achy, it’s way past time to replace your walking shoes. When pain shows up, you are at risk of injury — so the best strategy is to say goodbye to your old shoes before the aches and pains rear their ugly head!
FIVE HELPFUL GUIDELINES TO KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WALKING SHOES
1) If you walk 30 minutes per day or an average of 3-4 hours per week, replace your shoes every six months.
2) If you walk 60 minutes per day, replace them every three months.
This may seem excessive because to the eye they look so new. I’ve replaced shoes that looked brand new, but they were completely worn out! It’s best to look at athletic shoes as fitness equipment that should be kept up to date for safety purposes. Then you won’t feel like you are overindulging when you replace them frequently.
3) More casual about your walking? Check the bottom of the shoes. If the tread is worn anywhere, it’s most likely time to get a new pair.
4) Terrain matters. If you walk mostly indoors on a treadmill, there is less wear and tear on the shoe and you can probably get a little extra mileage out of them. If you walk outdoors, you will want to follow the guidelines listed above.
5) Are you light on your feet? People with a strong rear heel strike will get less mileage out of their shoes than someone who walks softly. If you know you have a strong stride, you will want to follow the standard guidelines listed above as well.
One way to preserve your athletic shoes is to slip them on right before you exercise and take them off when you finish. This will help limit wear and tear.
Just remember — if you are replacing your walking shoes often, you know you are getting lots of exercise!
Have a question or a comment? Please leave them for me below in the comment section. I love to hear from you!
To your health and fitness!
Jennifer