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When do I need to replace my Joggers?
We all know and love that ‘new jogger’ feeling - when you can’t wait to hit the pavement and test out your latest set of kicks. But how do you know when it’s time to hang up your trusty pair? Read on.
Like any product that gets regular use, your shoes will wear out eventually. The rate at which this happens depends on a few factors:
- Your activities
- Your kilometres
- Your body weight
- Your foot and lower limb function
For example, running on a road will wear out your shoes quicker than running on a trail. As will abnormal foot function, such as yours truly.. don’t get me started on my biomechanics (Fun Fact: not all Podiatrists have perfect feet *gasp!*)
How often should I change my joggers?
This question falls into the ‘how long is a piece of string’ category. It’s hard to provide a definitive answer as each shoe will wear differently depending on your activities and the other factors already mentioned.
This is what you should look out for:
- The outer sole has worn through to the white midsole = get yourself into the shoe store pronto
- The midsole feels dense / heavy / unresponsive. You may also notice longitudinal creases on the side = not good
- The heel counter has started to deteriorate - particularly on the inside of the shoe - and may be more mobile = less supportive
- Your toes have worn through the toe-box and causing the shoe upper to tear = extra ventilation? No thanks
- One shoe sole becomes asymmetrically worn compared to the other = all sorts of imbalances will ensue
- One or both shoes no longer stand up straight when placed on a flat surface = it's not the floor
If you notice one or more of these features it’s time for you to visit your favourite specialist shoe store to have an expert opinion and new shoes fitted.
How many kilometres before I change my joggers?
Like the tyres on your car, the kilometres you’ve travelled is very important. As a general rule, you should consider changing your shoes every 600 - 800 kilometres. However, if your shoes aren't showing any of the above signs of excessive wear, you may be able to wear them for a little longer without an increased risk of injury.
Why do I need to replace my joggers regularly?
After a certain amount of use, the structural integrity of your shoes will deteriorate to the point where it will no longer provide you with the stability and support you require. Even if your joggers appear to be working fine, the real damage is often hidden inside your body. For me, I'm replacing my joggers on average every 4-5 months. For some, this may seem quite often. This is largely because I enjoy running (high impact activity, on a mix of trail and roads) and I walk a lot.. I have an energetic Hungarian Vizsla in my household that demands walkies twice a day, I'm not kidding.
Continuing to run, walk or play sports in shoes that no longer have the components and structure that they originally started out with may increase your risk of repetitive injuries in the feet, legs and hips, and reduce your performance. Got you thinking?
Take home message
So as much as we love seeing our patients, we hope it’s not due to injuries related to old, tired, worn out shoes! Take the time to inspect your favourite pair of joggers - is it time to let go?
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