How to Get the Most Miles Out of Your Running Shoes

How Long Should Running Shoes Last?

Most high-quality running shoes should usually be replaced between 300 and 500 miles, which about four to six months for someone who runs 20 miles per week—though that number is lower for race-day shoes, which are designed to be lighter and faster.

6 Tips to Make Your Running Shoes Last Longer

If you’ve made the investment in a pair of quality running shoes, then you already know that a good pair isn’t cheap. They’re worth every penny, but no runner wants to buy them more often than needed. To make sure you get the most mileage possible out of each and every pair, try following these tips:

1. Rotate between two pairs: It might sound counterintuitive, but rotating between two pairs of shoes will make running shoes last longer a variety of ways. First, you have the obvious: switching between two pairs of shoes means you rack up half the mileage on each pair in a given amount of time. But more importantly, giving your shoes a “break” between runs allows the cushioning to re-expand. This not only helps your shoes last longer and reduces wear and tear, it also will help reduce your risk of injury. Whether you rotate between two of the same type of shoe or two different shoes, you’ll get the same benefits.
   
   More: Should You Rotate Your Running Shoes?
   
   
2. Try the newspaper trick: Struggling to get your shoes to dry after a soggy or sweaty run? Don’t throw them in the dryer. Remove the insoles and stuff the insides with newspaper. The newspaper will help absorb the moisture quickly without the damage that comes from the heat of the dryer. Your running shoes last longer if you don’t have to trash them because they got the funk.
   
   
3. Keep them out of the trunk: They’re just shoes, right? Who cares where you keep them? Wrong! Storing your shoes in harsh conditions, like extreme heat, cold, or dampness, breaks down the materials faster. If you’re a runner who keeps your shoes in your truck, break the habit. Bring your shoes indoors with you in a gym bag if you need to go to the office, or store them in your closet at home. You’ll get more miles out of your shoes, plus you’ll never have that “Where the heck are more shoes?” moment.
   
   
4. Make them special: Say it with me: “I will not do anything in my running shoes besides run.” As comfortable as running shoes are, try and resist the urge to wear them to run errands or do chores. Running shoes are built specifically for running, and you’ll get more mileage out of them if you limit their work to running only. Think about it – all that extra mileage running around Home Depot and cleaning your house adds up! Retired pairs of running shoes are great for this purpose, but keep your active pairs limited to running.
   
   
5. Work on your form: If you’re really dedicated to getting more out of your running shoes, start working with a running coach to improve your form. Runners with poor form can cause uneven wear and tear to appear on the bottom of their shoes – think extreme heel striking or wearing on the outer edges of the shoes from pronation. You can start by getting a gait evaluation at your local running store and asking if there are any local coaches who you can work with to correct your form. Who knows – you might even find yourself getting a little faster, too!
   
   
6. Don’t go barefoot in running shoes: Some runners swear by the idea of slipping on running shoes with no socks. We may be biased, but that sounds…gross. Plus, think of the blisters! A pair of high-performance, moisture-wicking running socks will go a long way toward moving moisture to the outside of your shoes where it’ll evaporate, instead of trapping sweat inside the shoe for bacteria to feed on.