RUN BETTER WITH OUR NEWSLETTER
Free running tips, latest offers & events; twice-weekly.
JOIN NOWAre you making an impact, or is the road making an impact on you? Learn the fail-safe way to be your own cushioning detective!
Is the force still with you? According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, during a 10-mile run, your feet hit the ground at a force of three to four times your body weight, about 15,000 times.
One of the most common questions asked is, "How can I tell when my shoes have lost their cushioning?"
If you don't know what to look for, it can be a tricky thing to gauge, right?
The cushioning gets punched out gradually, so how can you tell when your beloved foot friends have done the distance?
Typically, running shoes will last 400 miles or a year – whichever comes first.
Do you remember the date when you last purchased shoes?
If you are scratching your head, making strange animal noises and then saying "Hmm... well... em... I think it was..." don't worry, there's another way to find out.
Watch the video to learn the quick and easy way to detect how much cushioning is left. PLUS how learning the art of Shoe Detachment can save our planet ;-)
As you know, life has a habit of moving at a fast and hectic pace, but is it really that important to make time to go shoe shopping?
The problem is, once the cushioning goes, the shock takes great joy in travelling up the legs and hitting your weak spot, i.e. knees or lower back. It can also be one of the causes of shin splints.
So the simple answer: create a one hour slot in your diary once every 7 months to a year. This one hour will give you the chance to travel to your destination, and spend time with your NGA (Natural Gait Analysis) expert. Give yourself the gift of one hour every 7 months. Put like that, it doesn't sound like much does it? So simple, yet crucial to your sole happiness :-)
So get out the diary NOW, and make a date with your tootsies. Then post a comment below.
Have a lovely rest of your week or weekend.
All the very best,
Dipika
GUSFebruary 23, 2021 at 9:49pm
Just realised been running with my shoes worn out !!! That’s the reason wasn’t enjoying much of my run lately so I’m gonna get a new pair ASAP thanks to your video ReplyDipika SmithMarch 1, 2021 at 11:45am
Hi Gus, So glad the info has helped. Enjoy your new shoes and wishing you many happy miles in them :) Kind Regards, Dipika ReplyHannah WicksteadFebruary 3, 2021 at 3:48pm
Love the idea of show detachment! Is there a way we can do this whilst the stores are shut, please? Thanks. ReplyDipika SmithFebruary 3, 2021 at 4:08pm
Hi Hannah, Happily, yes! During lock down we are offering our Online Gait Analysis, which is working very well for customers.
Kind Regards, Dipika
ReplyGail BreenMarch 31, 2020 at 10:23am
Video very useful thank you. ReplyDipika SmithApril 2, 2020 at 12:47pm
Hi Gail, so good to hear :) ReplyDennis BoyettFebruary 24, 2020 at 10:20am
I am a 70 year old runner. This has taught me something new !Very helpful. Thank you. Reply
Dipika SmithFebruary 24, 2020 at 1:16pm
Hi Dennis,You are an inspiration! Great to hear it's been of use. Reply
AnthonyFebruary 23, 2020 at 4:31pm
Great video! I'm never quite sure when to replace my runners and normally wait until it's too late (and suffer an injury as a result). ReplyDipika SmithFebruary 24, 2020 at 1:09pm
Hi Anthony,You are most definitely not alone in this. So glad it's helped. Have a great week. Reply
SandieFebruary 23, 2020 at 8:09am
Hi, thank you so much for this short video. Watching this will be the most valuable 3 minutes of the day.Sandie Reply
Dipika SmithFebruary 24, 2020 at 1:07pm
Hi Sandie,Amazing to hear! Thank you so much for your comment :) Reply
janeFebruary 21, 2020 at 3:50pm
very helpful ReplyDipika SmithFebruary 22, 2020 at 1:21pm
Hi Jane, Amazing :) So glad it's helped. ReplyWilmaApril 17, 2014 at 9:52am
As a newcomer to running, this video was great and told me exactly what I wanted to confirm. I need new shoes! Thanks - I'll be visiting soon. ReplyDipika SmithApril 23, 2014 at 4:40pm
So happy to hear it's been useful. See you in store soon :) ReplyGillDecember 14, 2013 at 7:44am
Great to be able to recycle bounceless running shoes. Used to go by the 6 month rule regardless of mileage so much better advice. ReplyDipika SmithDecember 16, 2013 at 1:50pm
Hey Gill, so happy to hear that the video has helped. Happy festive running :) ReplyMoira AAugust 22, 2013 at 4:08pm
Hi,I run in Saucony Jazz, mixed trails & tarmac. I have had them for about a year and running has increased from 10/15 miles per week to 35+ . Following your video, there is some bounce back under the heel area but zilch under the ball of the foot. I have had my doubts about them recently & I have been picking up the odd injury, so it is time to replace I think - thank you. Excellent video, to the point and informative. Reply
Dipika SmithAugust 29, 2013 at 9:38pm
Hi Moira, I would say your shoe detective work is correct. It could be that you are more of a forefoot strike runner, as opposed to a heel striker, and therefore the forefoot has worn down quicker. In any case those little injuries love to pop up when the cushioning has gone :( so a new pair of Jazz could be just the ticket. So grateful to hear the video helped. ReplyEmmanuel MendoncaJune 28, 2013 at 9:36pm
Loving this series of videos. Keep them coming please! I always make a point of stopping by Run and Become near Victoria, London to get a new pair of shoes when visiting family in the UK. They have a great team of knowledgeable and friendly staff. There is a lady there who I have been wanting to thank for ages for fitting me for and selling me the best shoes I have ever worn. It was as if they were made for me. She was of slight build, blondish hair, fair skin, and was wearing a pair of Vibrams (or similar) in the store. Thank you!!! ReplyDipika SmithJuly 1, 2013 at 9:07am
Ahh Emmanuel, that's so sweet! So happy and grateful to hear you're enjoying the vlogs. We are loving making them - it feels like we're chatting to you right in the shop. I think the girl who served you sounds like Petra. She's a great member of out team and an avid barefoot runner herself. Looking forward to seeing you when you're next in town. ReplyTahirJune 10, 2013 at 7:11am
Will the people in the third world countries using old shoes not be at risk of injury from using shoes with no cushioning remaining?Also, how can you check for barefoot running shoes which only have minimal / no cushioning? Reply
Dipika SmithJune 10, 2013 at 12:10pm
Hey Tahir, great questions. If you scroll up to Colin Rogerson's comment, you can see my answer there. Plus Bonnie also asks a question that will answer yours, so you can check out my reply. ReplyLinda JonesJune 7, 2013 at 5:29pm
Thank you - I found the video very informative. I managed to get my daughter to watch it as well, and you helped convince her she needed new running shoes - do they ever listen to mum :) ReplyDipika SmithJune 10, 2013 at 7:10am
Ha ha. Mums are very wise! Thanks, Linda. ReplyLaura SJune 6, 2013 at 7:02am
Thanks, very helpful and straightforward advice. Nice dog too! ReplyDipika SmithJune 6, 2013 at 12:14pm
Hey Laura, great to hear it's helped you. Being a doggie lover myself and knowing that I'm by no means alone on this one¦thought Gampo would bring a smile ;) ReplyLauren millerJune 2, 2013 at 7:26pm
I'm new to this running game, but since buying my first running shoes at Run and Become, I'm absolutely loving it! Really good advice on your video here, so pleased I signed up for your emails!!! Thanks!!! ReplyDipika SmithJune 3, 2013 at 11:15am
Ahh Lauren, I'm so happy. Whilst we are always here to help and inspire, it's you who's putting the top notch effort in. You are amazing!! ReplyColin RogersonJune 1, 2013 at 7:55am
Good advice re. When to know that a shoe is reaching the end of its life. However, a bit worried about the 3rd World recycling - do you include special inners, or do 3rd World people have special shock-absorbing legs?On the whole, though, a good video. Reply
Dipika SmithJune 2, 2013 at 7:45am
Good point Colin. If the shoes are way past their sell by date, then they are used to manufacture materials like insulation for buildings. So it's all good. ReplyBonnieJune 1, 2013 at 12:30am
Great video and very useful tips. Would love to know if you have any advice for those of us transitioning to minimalist (or more minimal) shoes, like the New Balance minimus range that I love so much... Is it more about wear to the uppers? Oh, and Gampo is adorable! :-) ReplyDipika SmithJune 2, 2013 at 7:45am
Hey Bonnie, yes you're completely correct. With your Minimus and other barefoot shoes, it's the uppers or the sole, whichever goes first. With the minimal shoes that have more cushioning to start with, I'd say the same applies from the video. Thanks for your lovely comment on my fluffy pooch ;-) ReplyKateMay 31, 2013 at 8:40pm
Great advice on how to test whether my shoes are past their best, and great to learn about your shoe re-using scheme. It will make it easier to part with my shoes if I know someone else will come to love them like I do. ReplyDipika SmithJune 2, 2013 at 7:44am
Thanks Kate, fab to hear the tip has helped. It's always great to have the recycle option. Happy running! ReplyAndy GMay 31, 2013 at 4:08pm
This is the best advice on shoes I've had in a long time! Until now I used an unscientific 2-pair per year rough estimate of when I should change. Great to have some actual way to check now - thanks! ReplyDipika SmithJune 1, 2013 at 8:04am
Hi Andy, so happy it's been useful for you. Thanks for sharing. Happy cushy running :) Reply