Five tips to take care of your running shoes
It will never be an everlasting relationship between you and your running shoes. Luckily, we have some tips to help you stretch out your time together. Success guaranteed.
Tip 1: Don't wear the same pair of running shoes every day. Switch it up.
Your running shoes deserve a little rest now and then. Especially if you're jumping from one training session to the next. Do you run one day after the other? Then we recommend alternating between different pairs of running shoes. This gives the foam time to return to its original shape, so you can enjoy the cushioning you're used to during your next workout.
And a bonus benefit from giving your shoes some rest: they get more time to recover from the sweat your feet produced.
Pro tip: do you vary your training types - from interval sessions to tempo runs and easy pace? Choose the right shoe for each pace.
Tip 2: register your kilometers.
How many kilomters you can run with a pair of runnings shoes? There's no fixed number. It depends on your running style, the type of surface you mostly run on, your body weight, the shoe model...
That said, a range of 700 to 1000 kilometers is a good general guideline, especially for training shoes with a durable sole and upper. For lightweight race running shoes, that number is definitely lower (some, to our frustration, barely make it through a single marathon).
Most running apps let you track the mileage on each pair of shoes, giving you a solid indication of how much time they have left before running out.
So how do you know when your running shoes are nearing the end of their lifespan? One clear sign is visible: how does the ousole look? Is the upper still intact? But your body can also give clues that your shoes are wearing out. Sudden pain you didn't experience before may be a sign that the cushioning and support are starting to give out.
Tip 3: don't expect your running shoes to do it all. They're just running shoes.
Running shoes are made for running. Still, we might expect them to perform just as well for tennis, padel, or any other sport. But the dragging and sideways movements involved in those activities cause wear on places it shouldn't occur.
There's also a difference between trail running shoes and road running shoes. Regular running shoes don't have the grip or technical features needed to handle rocky and unstable terrain. The lugs on trail shoes do offer the grip, but tend to wear out quickly if you use them ofter on hard, paved surfaces.
Tip 4: clean your shoes regularly and avoid heat sources.
The upper material of running shoes has evolved in recent years. The trend of 'lighter and faster' has extended to the uppers as well. While this brings clear comfort benefits, it also means the material can tear more easily, especially if you don't take proper care of your shoes. Treat them with love and care, and they'll stay in good shape much longer.
Are your shoes dirty? Dirt particles can cause friction against the material, leading the upper to tear. Use a brush and a bucket of water to clean off the dirt.
Important: never put your running shoes in the washing machine or place them on a radiator. Heat can make the glue coming off. It's best to let them dry naturally, using a shoe dryer if needed.
Good running socks can also work wonders. Tears in the upper often appear around the toe area. Quality socks are usually reinforced at the toes, reducing friction with the shoe's upper.
Do you notice the heel area wearing out quickly? Always loosen your laces when putting on your shoes on or taking them off. if not, the inner heel fabric may start to tear.
Tip 5: have your shoes repaired.
Good news! Not all damage is irreversible. At Runners' lab, we have our shoe workshop where we do shoe repairs. In many cases, we can fix tears in the upper, repair eyelets, add leather tips, reinforce the heel material, and even replace the rubber on your shoe's outsole.
Thinking about a break-up? Let our expertise help you.
The tips above are just the basics for a longer relationship between you and your running shoes. Do you have specific questions about your running shoes and how to maintain them? Want to know if it's still worth keeping the relationship alive? Then rely on our expertise and bring your shoes to one of our Runners' lab stores. We'll inspect the condition of your running shoes and let you know if there's still hope for a rescue.
Have you already decided to go for a new pair of shoes? Our advisors will find the perfect match.
Can't make it to the store? Send a picture of your shoes to our Live WhatsApp team, or ask for advice about new shoes from our live advisors.
5 tips to take care of your running shoes
It will never be an everlasting relationship between you and your running shoes. Luckily, we have some tips to help you stretch out your time together. Success guaranteed.
Tip 1: Don't wear the same pair of running shoes every day. Switch it up.
Your running shoes deserve a little rest now and then. Especially if you're jumping from one training session to the next. Do you run one day after the other? Then we recommend alternating between different pairs of running shoes. This gives the foam time to return to its original shape, so you can enjoy the cushioning you're used to during your next workout.
And a bonus benefit from giving your shoes some rest: they get more time to recover from the sweat your feet produced.
Pro tip: do you vary your training types - from interval sessions to tempo runs and easy pace? Choose the right shoe for each pace.
Tip 2: register your kilometers.
How many kilomters you can run with a pair of runnings shoes? There's no fixed number. It depends on your running style, the type of surface you mostly run on, your body weight, the shoe model...
That said, a range of 700 to 1000 kilometers is a good general guideline, especially for training shoes with a durable sole and upper. For lightweight race running shoes, that number is definitely lower (some, to our frustration, barely make it through a single marathon).
Most running apps let you track the mileage on each pair of shoes, giving you a solid indication of how much time they have left before running out.
So how do you know when your running shoes are nearing the end of their lifespan? One clear sign is visible: how does the ousole look? Is the upper still intact? But your body can also give clues that your shoes are wearing out. Sudden pain you didn't experience before may be a sign that the cushioning and support are starting to give out.
Tip 3: don't expect your running shoes to do it all. They're just running shoes.
Running shoes are made for running. Still, we might expect them to perform just as well for tennis, padel, or any other sport. But the dragging and sideways movements involved in those activities cause wear on places it shouldn't occur.
There's also a difference between trail running shoes and road running shoes. Regular running shoes don't have the grip or technical features needed to handle rocky and unstable terrain. The lugs on trail shoes do offer the grip, but tend to wear out quickly if you use them ofter on hard, paved surfaces.
Tip 4: clean your shoes regularly and avoid heat sources.
The upper material of running shoes has evolved in recent years. The trend of 'lighter and faster' has extended to the uppers as well. While this brings clear comfort benefits, it also means the material can tear more easily, especially if you don't take proper care of your shoes. Treat them with love and care, and they'll stay in good shape much longer.
Are your shoes dirty? Dirt particles can cause friction against the material, leading the upper to tear. Use a brush and a bucket of water to clean off the dirt.
Important: never put your running shoes in the washing machine or place them on a radiator. Heat can make the glue coming off. It's best to let them dry naturally, using a shoe dryer if needed.
Good running socks can also work wonders. Tears in the upper often appear around the toe area. Quality socks are usually reinforced at the toes, reducing friction with the shoe's upper.
Do you notice the heel area wearing out quickly? Always loosen your laces when putting on your shoes on or taking them off. if not, the inner heel fabric may start to tear.
Tip 5: have your shoes repaired.
Good news! Not all damage is irreversible. At Runners' lab, we have our shoe workshop where we do shoe repairs. In many cases, we can fix tears in the upper, repair eyelets, add leather tips, reinforce the heel material, and even replace the rubber on your shoe's outsole.
Thinking about a break-up? Let our expertise help you.
The tips above are just the basics for a longer relationship between you and your running shoes. Do you have specific questions about your running shoes and how to maintain them? Want to know if it's still worth keeping the relationship alive? Then rely on our expertise and bring your shoes to one of our Runners' lab stores. We'll inspect the condition of your running shoes and let you know if there's still hope for a rescue.
Have you already decided to go for a new pair of shoes? Our advisors will find the perfect match.
Can't make it to the store? Send a picture of your shoes to our Live WhatsApp team, or ask for advice about new shoes from our live advisors.