To maintain good hygiene and avoid injuries, a change of running sneakers is inevitable. Here are our tips on how often to renew them.
Between perspiration and shoe wear by running, your running sneakers take a hit. Taking care of your body is as much about sport as it is about good hygiene and the possession of good equipment. Even if you machine wash your shoes, one day you will have to part with them despite the hardships you have crossed together on the asphalt or on the trails. Find out here our advice on when to change your running sneakers and why.
What accelerates the wear of your sneakers
Several factors accelerate the wear and tear of your running shoes. First observation: it will be faster if you run in town (on hard and abrasive ground) rather than on paths in the forest. The sole of the basketball is designed to cushion the impact of the foot on the ground. In town, on the tarmac, you make more use of the sole’s capacity to absorb these shocks on this very hard ground, unlike on dirt trails. The terrain in the forest will require less effort on the sole since the terrain will be softer and will accompany the impact of the foot on the ground. However, if you practice an activity such as trail running on an open course, the shoes will wear out quite quickly on contact with sharp stones and tree roots.
The wear of your running sneakers will also depend on how often you go out. Obviously, the more you run, the more you damage your running shoes. But you also have to add to that the days when you use your sneakers to do something other than sport. Walks, biking, shopping or DIY count in the life of your shoes.
One or two passes in the washing machine to remove odors and germs, you can close your eyes but if you insist, your shoes and especially your soles may wear out twice as quickly. To remove traces of dust or mud, prefer the use of a sponge soaked in clear water and rub gently. If the problem is bad smells, you can place tea bags inside. In addition to masking the foul smells, tea absorbs moisture and leaves a better scent than your feet.
Another important point related to the lifespan of running sneakers is your weight. It defines the intensity of the shock that the sole will have to absorb between you and the ground. And this will be more important by the pushing force caused by the race. So the greater your weight, the more the foam on the sole will flatten. The lifespan of your sneakers will therefore be reduced. To monitor this, look at the condition of the foam on your soles and see if it sags or instead retains its ability to return to its original shape.
The signs to know when to change them
No, the signs of wear on running sneakers don’t just boil down to ripped fabric, it goes way beyond that. To be sure that the time has come to change your pair of shoes, there is no mistaking a sign. If you feel like you no longer feel a thickness between the floor and the tip of your foot, you are sure to have to buy new sneakers. The foam in the sole, made to absorb shocks, is far too tight to continue the journey with you. If you are the head of the pig, beware of the onset of foot pain that you did not have before. In this case, exchange your old shoes for new ones immediately.
Mileage is often the most recommended but also the most complex indicator for running shoes. It all depends on the factors indicated above in addition to the distances traveled. If a person, who weighs around 90 kilograms, runs daily and over hard or rough terrain, the mileage characterizing the lifespan of the sneakers will not be the same as a 60 kilogram runner running twice a week. .
What could happen to you if you don’t change them
At your own risk, if you do not take the time to renew your running sneakers it could become dangerous for your health. You may experience pain and heating in your feet, but not only that. If you tend to run mainly on the outside or inside of your feet and the sole has sagged, injuries to the knees, ankles, hips and other parts of the body could occur. Muscles, tendons and other joints are impacted. Instead of running for good, you will get the opposite effect and come back with health issues.
To avoid these inconveniences, prefer to change your shoes in due time. When buying new running sneakers, don’t hesitate to invest in quality shoes and get advice. Even if you have to pay a certain amount of money, it is better to own sneakers that will have a longer lifespan with suitable technologies, meeting your needs rather than wearing out your body as much as your sneakers.
See also: 7 minutes a day to do your body good
Lea Lecuyer
With Léa, curiosity is no longer a bad thing. Lifestyle journalist, she always has good advice to boost your well-being and keeps you informed of all the characteristics of your sign …