How You Know It’s Time for New Running Shoes

Most runners have a personal connection with their shoes. Our running shoes are with us through it all: the great runs and the not-so-great runs all the same. When it comes time to realize that our dirty, beaten down shoes might be at the end of their shoelace, it can almost feel like letting go of an old friend. Even so, old, broken running shoes lose their effectiveness and make workouts more difficult. Is it time to say goodbye? Here are the signs to look for.

Walking Shoes

You Experience Pain While Running

The first and biggest red flag that you need new running shoes is if you experience pain while running. Maybe you’ve just started experiencing pain or have always dealt with it, but running shouldn’t be a painful chore.

Running shoes’ number-one job is to make running comfortable and to protect your feet and joints from impact. If your shoes aren’t doing that, running is harder than it needs to be. Don’t settle for pain or expect to “break-in” your shoes even after months of running: There are better options out there.

They’ve Seen Far Too Many Miles

Just like you’ll have a bad experience driving a car with high miles, the same is true for running in high-mile shoes. Unfortunately, there aren’t invincible running shoes just yet, so every pair has an expiration date depending on how often you run, your gait and the terrain.

Everyone will be different, but if you can’t recall when you first got your shoes but know they’ve seen countless miles, it might be time to upgrade. Just like tires lose tread over time, your shoes will as well. Some terrains like trails or asphalt will eat up shoe tread more than treadmills and tracks, so where you run can impact your shoes’ lifespan. Even so, if your shoes are basically flat, it’s time to retire them to yard work, or even as plain walking shoes if they’re still in decent shape.

You Notice Uneven Wear

On the same topic of tread wear, not everyone’s shoes will wear out evenly. For example, if you run on the edge of your feet or have an uneven gait, your tread wear will tell you. Flip your shoes over and look at how the tread is worn down. If you see that it’s uneven, you’re putting unnecessary strain and impact on the most-used parts of your feet. If this is the case, you should not only upgrade your shoes, but explore options made specifically for your running style for additional support and, hopefully, a better running experience.

You Just Want to Try Something New

There’s no shame in breaking up with your old kicks because newer models look flashier or tout innovative technology. Companies like Reebok invest significantly in research and development and their goal is to create the best pair of running shoes with every generation.

There are always new advancements in footwear technology and these advancements are worth experiencing. If you see a pair in the store that seem promising, try them on, see how they feel and take them for a test drive. You might just find your new running companion for many runs to come.

About Reebok

For decades, Reebok has produced footwear and athletic apparel for professional and everyday athletes who move, inspire and innovate. Reebok offers apparel and footwear for a variety of sports and activities, from running to weightlifting to yoga, and with Reebok workout clothes for women and men, you can move and perform at your highest potential. Among their many selections, Reebok is known for their innovative CrossFit Nano series along with their timeless classic designs. Make Reebok your top choice for all of your athletic apparel needs, with everything from sports bras to athletic leggings, gym shorts, hats, performance shirts and more.

Shop Reebok’s entire selection of workout essentials at Reebok.com

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