5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Athletic Shoes 

When you finally find a pair of comfortable athletic shoes, it can be hard to give them up. Maybe they don’t make that style anymore, or perhaps you just don’t want to dig into your wallet to shell out the money for a new, pricey pair.

Unfortunately, athletic shoes wear out over time. When athletic shoes get old, stiff, or worn, they put your foot and ankle health at risk. Poorly fitting or functioning athletic shoes can increase your risk for a fall, sprained ankle, plantar fasciitis, and other kinds of foot pain.

Babak Kosari, DPM, FACFA, is an expert podiatrist and foot surgeon with practices in the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Northridge and Santa Clarita, California. To keep your feet healthy, he recommends trading out unsound athletic shoes.

How can you tell if it’s time to replace your athletic shoes? The following are five signs that your footwear’s on its last legs.

1. They don’t bounce

When your athletic shoes are new, they let your foot strike the pavement with minimal impact. The layers of foam in the sole act like shock absorbers.

Over time, the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), or blend compresses from the constant shocks and stress. When that happens, not only do the shoes not protect your feet, but the flatness may allow your foot to move in ways that could put it at risk. 

If you’ve lost the spring in your step, it’s time to spring for a new pair of shoes.

2. They’ve walked for miles as your shoes

Replace your athletic shoes once you reach certain milestones. A good replacement schedule is approximately every:

• 300-500 miles of walking or running
• 40-60 hours of sports play
• 40-60 hours of aerobic dance

If it’s challenging to keep track of miles, or if you engage in a variety of athletics in your shoes, consider replacing them every 3-6 months. However, if you run marathons or do other types of strenuous activities, you may need to replace them sooner.

3. The treads are worn or uneven

Worn-down treads are a sure sign that your athletic shoes have seen better days. If the treads are smooth, the shoes won’t grip the road as well as they should.

Also, check for uneven wear on the treads or heels. A difference in heel height of more than 4mm is a sign that they need to be replaced. Unevenly worn heels could affect your stride and create instability.

4. Your feet hurt

Athletic shoes should support your feet so they can perform at their best, whether you’re walking, jumping, or running. If your feet hurt when you’re training, competing, or just dashing to the grocery store, your shoes might not be supporting you as they should.

One unwanted consequence of worn athletic shoes could be plantar fasciitis, which occurs when the plantar fascia that covers the soles of your feet becomes injured from stress. If you feel heel pain, soreness, or stiffness in your sole, it’s time for new shoes.

5. You’re getting blisters

When you’re first “breaking in” a pair of athletic shoes, it’s normal to have a few blisters as your feet acclimate and the materials in the shoe get softer. However, new blisters with old shoes are a bad sign.

Do you have foot pain from your athletic shoes? Trade in the shoes and take care of your feet by scheduling a foot care exam and treatment today. Phone our office nearest you or schedule an appointment online.