What to Look for in Running Shoes

If you ask this question every day after you’ve bought the new running shoes or are considering to buy a pair and want to know if it’s worth it in the long run, it’s time for answers.

While the doctors and shoe companies recommend that we replace our shoes every 800 kilometres, we all know that is rarely happening. After all, we are paying for quality and the price tag on the latest model of running shoes should be x10 the number of kilometres previously mentioned. Even the professional runners get endless mileage out of their single pair with no ill effect – so this is not mandatory.

So, if you are asking yourself ‘When should I replace my running shoes?’, the answer lies in the midsole – the hard rubber bottom of your running shoes. Instead of orienting onto your upper fabric, you should try and understand how the midsole acts, when it can be risk-prone injuries and when it’s ready for the bin.

The midsole of the running shoes is made from EVA foam which acts well in stabilising the impact – in other words, our feet hitting the ground while running. This is actually creating the comfortable feeling of running with the best running shoes, however, it breaks down over several thousands of foot strikes. While the pro-runners advise that making sure that our equipment is fresh is vital when it comes to injuries, not all of us are sponsored!

How Do I Know When To Replace Them?

A great tip coming from the runners is to put your hand in the shoe and press on the sole with your other hand. If you can feel your fingers pressing through onto your hand, your running shoes are worn out as the cushioning is totally compressed or worn thin.

In the end, it’s always better to know how you shop your running shoes than to actually care about their mileage. Going for the pair with the high amount of cushioning and a stable sole, therefore will not only make your running more pleasant and improved, it may also save you from the most common running injuries.