How Often Should You Replace Your Shoes?
If your shoes are visibly falling apart, no doubt you need new ones. But we don’t advise waiting until the soles are flapping in the wind to replace your shoes.
It’s impossible to say that all shoes should be replaced “after six months,” “every two years,” or any other interval. Experts say you should replace your running shoes after about 400 miles of wear. However, all feet are different, and no two gaits are alike. One person might weigh more and have a heavier gait, putting more pressure on the shoe’s padding. Others might naturally walk more gently. Finally, if a shoe is poorly made, to begin with, it probably won’t last as long as a quality-made shoe.
The bottom line: shoes wear out at different times, for different reasons, for different people.
Look for signs of wear and tear
To determine if your shoes need replacing, examine them from time to time. Take a look at the sole’s tread pattern. Is there even any sole pattern left? Is it uneven – that is, is the sole worn down more on one side than on the other? Is the heel still flat, or is it curved with wear on one side? Is the shape of your toes imprinted into the sole? Answering “yes” to any of these questions probably means a trip to the shoe store in your immediate future.
How are your feet feeling?
Another classic sign that your shoes need replacing is that your feet are often tired. Tired, sore feet are a sure sign that your shoes no longer provide the proper support. We can trace many foot problems to shoes past their prime, including arch pain, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, tendonitis, and stress fractures.
If a new pair of shoes doesn’t relieve your aching feet, contact our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, Dr. Jim Swienconek, Dr. Rachel Robinson, and Dr. Courtney Yoder at Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio. Call (440) 903-1041, or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.
