How often should you replace your sneakers? Marketing people would tell you "every week" ... your wallet says "once a year" ... but what's really important? Your health.
Many running and medical sites recommend replacing after 3-4 months or 300 miles, but that's for people doing a LOT of running (5 miles a day). I try to replace mine about every 6 months, even though they don't "feel" worn, they are!! The cushioning becomes compacted, especially if you wear them every day. You're actually better off buying 2 pairs at once and alternating days, they'll last more than twice as long, and smell better because they have a chance ot breathe on "off days". Ever notice how cushy new sneakers feel? They're no more cushy than your old ones WERE on day 1, but compared to the one's your're trading in they're a lot more cushy, which shows how much the absorbtion has deteriorated. Since we all wear these shoes our joints and even foot bone structure has become somewhat dependant. In light of that, it really is best for your health to check your shoes fairly frequently. Even if you're not intending to buy new ones, go to a store, try on some, even the same kind as you're wearing, to better judge how much the padding has worn down. Then you can make a good decision as to whether yours are worn out or not. More information: http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1999/11_99/shoes.htm http://www.timeforfitness.com/running/running_shoes.htm http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-52-0-0-2201,00.html
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