Having spent the past few decades running, and having gone through more than my fair share of my favorite tool during that time, I know a little bit about running shoes. I do not claim to know everything there is to know, or even anything remotely close to everything that there is to know. For specific questions about specific shoes, I turn to the experts. Thankfully, having spent as much time running as I have, I know quite a few people that are quite knowledgeable about shoes and am good friends with most of them.
That being said, I know how to take good care of my shoes so here is a list of some of my best tips and strategies that you can use to take care of your own shoes.
Shoes are a runner's most important tool, unless of course that runner prefers running barefoot in which case shoes are an occasional annoyance. Most of us in the United States do not have strong enough feet to run barefoot all the time, though, so we rely upon our shoes to get from one place to another.
Here are my top 10 tips for making sure that you get the most out of your shoes:
Keep your shoes dry by pulling the insoles out when you aren't wearing them.
Never put your shoes near extreme temperatures, especially heat.
Remove rocks and mud from your shoes after your run so they don't cake into a solid mass that you'll have trouble removing before the next run.
Dry your shoes out when they are sopping wet with paper or moving air.
Rotate your shoe use so that you can prevent injuries and prolong the life of your shoes.
Label your shoes to avoid mixing them up with other pairs.
When choosing shoes, seek the help of an expert.
When you find shoes that work for you, stick with them.
Replacing the insoles in your running shoes can really help you, or really hurt you.
Make sure that your shoes fit correctly when you buy them, and buy them from a reputable merchant that allows returns if you discover they aren't the right pair for you.
Keeping your shoes dry and making sure that you have the right shoes can go a long way towards extending the life and the number of miles that your shoes will take you.
You have trained consistently for months,
USC Trojans, achieved your season's goals and now your sights are set on winter training and next season. By this point, your running shoes (a loyal training buddy throughout the summer) should be looking fairly well-worn. They are super comfortable, they fit beautifully, but they just don't provide the levels of cushioning and support they did fresh out of the box. It's time for a change!Choosing the best running shoes can be a tricky task though, even for the most experienced of athletes. Most likely, the manufacturers of your current shoes will have brought out a new version of your current model, possibly with vastly different characteristics. So, while it is not quite straight back to square one for the task of choosing a new pair, it is important to be discerning when choosing your winter pair.
In this article we will attempt to set out, in simple terms, the key factors to consider when choosing your new pair of shoes. If you choose the right pair, your shoes will help you to stay injury free over winter and lay the foundations for a successful season next year. However, if you make the wrong choice, you may suffer rubbing, black toenails or, worse still, long-term injury which will allay any hopes of a successful season next year.FACTOR 1: COMFORT
A running shoe should feel comfortable the moment you try it on.....the running shoe should feel 'right'. If the shoes feel uncomfortable, you should reject them. It doesn't matter whether the particular brand/shoe is endorsed by Chrissie Wellington, Paula Radcliffe or Alistair Brownlee, they will not 'wear-in' and feel better.
10 Ways to Prolong the Life of Your Running Shoes_
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