Everything has an expiration date, including your shoes. Keeping your old and worn-down footwear in your closet can take a toll on your feet later on. It’s time to take a look at your shoes to see if they’re worthy of staying or if they should be thrown out.
Wear and Tear
You know that it’s time for a new pair of shoes when your favourite pair is looking worse for wear. Small problems like chewed-up laces and slipping insoles can be easily replaced. But, you should consider throwing out the pair when you spot one or more of these red flags:
- The tread has been smoothed over from friction and repetitive impact.
- There are creases in the mid-sole and heel.
- The heel cup is fraying or completely split so that it rubs against your skin.
- There are rips in the toe box and on the sides.
Essentially, if your shoes look and feel nothing like they did when you first bought them, you need to get some upgrades as soon as possible.
High Mileage
You need to track how much distance you’ve covered in your athletic shoes so that you can tell when they need to be put away for good. The logic behind this is simple: the further you go with your shoes, the faster they wear out. If you’re only using a pair to go on short walks around the neighbourhood every weekend, you won’t need to get an upgrade for a long time.
Ideally, you should get a new pair of running shoes after running or walking 500 kilometres in them. Avid runners and joggers can meet this goal in a matter of months, especially when they’re training for 5Ks, half-marathons, marathons and other ambitious races.
Pain and Discomfort
An old pair of athletic shoes can be the catalyst behind a long list of problems. When they aren’t offering proper arch support and shock absorption, they’re going to punish your feet, your knees, your legs and other connecting muscles and joints. For instance, if you suffer from Iliotibial band syndrome or a stubborn case of plantar fasciitis, you need to take a look at the shoes you’re exercising in.
You can visit some of the best chiropodists in Toronto to diagnose your painful condition and get treatment fast.
What Should You Do About It?
If you’ve noticed these warning signs, you need to get appropriate replacements for your bad shoes. One out of the three warning signs is too many.
You should check out our on-site shoe store for upgrades that are guaranteed to offer superior arch support and shock absorption during high-impact activities and long-distance runs. Our experts will make sure to measure your feet and recommend shoe styles so that you find the perfect match.
Book an appointment with a chiropodist to deal with problems like plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee and hammer toe. They will provide effective treatment options, including custom orthotic inserts and foot care recommendations. So, if your shoes took a toll on your body, you can find upgrades and start your physical recovery at Feet First Clinic.
You wouldn’t keep a shirt that has frayed seams and holes in the fabric. You wouldn’t keep a pair of pants that were painfully tight and left angry red marks on your skin. Don’t treat your running shoes any different. Get rid of them when they wear out.
