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Trainers 300, 400, 500 miles or more?
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Last year I started training for my first Marathon and as the mileage was building up to something much greater than I was used to I decided to check out the local running specialist shop.
According to the guys in the shop running shoes are good for around 400 - 500 miles. I monitor my distance in a pair and then change them as suggested. I don't however notice one jot of difference between the new and the old pair. I see no visible sign of wear and the old trainers feel just as comfortable as the new ones.
What I am synically thinking is that this 400 - 500 miles may just be a way of keeping the manufacturers and the shop owners in business? Does anyone know where I can find some scientific evidence that would suggest the benefits of keeping trainers for less than 500 miles or the dangers of keeping them over 500 miles? Presumably there are other factors e.g. the quality and the build of the trainer, weight of the runner, running style, terraine, the environment the shoes are kept in and the weather that the runner runs in.
What I really want to know is whether there is real benefit or whether this is the manufacturers airing on the side of caution? or more cynically the manufacturers trying to make a few extra bucks. I noticed someone suggesting 300 miles. Does anyone really know?
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Comments
I've got two pairs of Nike Triax +10s on the go at the moment. The older pair have done 370 miles which I use for my short recovery runs and the newer pair haven't even covered 100 miles yet so I use them for all my other runs.
If I use the older pair for any long runs my knees hurt a lot more both during and afterwoulds.
When I use the newer pair I notice the extra bounciness almost straight away.
You could argue it's all in my head but I'm coninced there's a difference
Shoes lose 30 - 50% of their shock absorbtion in the first 250 miles
Thanks everyone for your feedback. I suppose there are a number of factors but it was really interesting to see that there was some evidence to back up the 300 - 600 mile claim.
I am finding however that my latest trainers Brooks Adrenaline GTS 7 are actually less comfortable than the Mizuno ones I was previously using. I had some of the Brooks before and they were incredibly comfortable. Perhaps this has more to do with my increase in mileage this year than the shoes themselves. I don't currently keep a diary so I'll start from today and I am sure I will start to see that my trainers do really wear out and don't go on for ever.
I done about 800 miles in my last pair and Ive done at least 1100 miles in this pair. Havent had problems but I think I can start to feel it on my calves now. I should really put my hand in my pocket and get a new pair.
Getting a new pair every 300 miles would mean getting a new pair every 6 to 8 weeks for me. I would just be getting used to them.
Probably depends on lots of factors - not least your biomechanics and weight. I'm pretty neutral but heavy (16st) so change at 300 miles. Could maybe get a few more miles out of them, but I'd rather spend a little more and play it safe.
Also seems to vary by shoe/manufacturer - I've been using Mizuno Creation which have largely done away with midsole foam (at least in the heel) and they don't seem to lose much, if any, cushioning over their life. Sadly, the heel rubber isn't so durable and wears away pretty quickly.....
Just switched to new Asics Nimbus (10) after Asics seem to have improved this version and Mizuno have screwed up the latest Creation (9). Will see how these last.....
I've got a few pairs on the go, 1 pair on 22 miles, 1 pr on 270, 3 prs on 400+, 1 pr on 550+ and took one pair to nearly 700 miles and only stopped wearing them as the uppers fell apart, which is what is happening to a few of the others. I've had no problems with injuries and will continue to wear what I've got till they fall apart.
Marshallini,
Interesting to hear you only run in racing flats. What is the reason behind that if youoverpronate? I havent got any opinions on it, just interested to know .
Which ones do you use?
Ian.
IanRunner - The bulk of my training is done in Nike Ekiden and Spectrum Plus, but I've also got Nike Vaporflys, Nike Mayfly and Asics Hyperspeed 2 .
I used to run in normal trainers but bought a pair of racers as an experiment and just found them more comfortable, I don't have a problem with lack of cushioning or support and really don't think it is at all necassary.
Marshallini,
thanks thats interesting. So are the racers generally cheaper too? I might try a pair or shoud I just use my current 1100 mile trainers instead?
How pair of trainers should you have on the go? And how do you know which ones to use for which type of run? Do you have specifics for long and short runs and how do you know which ones to use for which?
And more importantly, how do you know which is the bext ones for you?