How to Tell You’re Wearing Worn-Out Running Shoes

Take a moment to answer these questions in your head:

• Are your running shoes more than a year old?
• Do you experience foot or heel pain after most runs?
• Are there compression wrinkles in the midsole of your running shoes?
• Do your shoes feel less structured than when you originally bought them or feel like you can ring your shoes out like a towel?

If you’ve answered “yes” to at least one of the questions above, you may be wearing worn-out running shoes. Worn-out running shoes have some of the same characteristics as a “bad shoe,” and that can lead to further foot or heel pain issues if not addressed.

Let’s think of your running shoes like car tires for a moment. Running shoes, just like car tires, have a tread life or suggested mileage use before they should be replaced. Depending on how often you run, running shoes should be replaced every 500 miles, which is usually every 6 months or once a year. As it’s not safe to drive a car with worn-out tires, take the proactive effort to prevent foot pain, heel pain, or a sports injury from worn-out running shoes.

Though a lot of folks simply put up with the pain, why should you have to? We understand it may be hard to part ways with your old, beloved pair(s) of running shoes, but your feet will ultimately thank you. If your running shoes are the cause of your foot pain, let the team at Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona help. Reach our office by phone at (480) 963-9000 to schedule an appointment today.