After relying for so long on your running shoes, it can be a hassle to have to replace them. Having the right protection on your feet during physical activity is crucial for healthy foot care and well worth a trip to the shoe store. Here is a guide to knowing when you need new running shoes. 

Why Are Running Shoes Relevant to Foot Care?

Every time you go for a jog, you’re putting the full weight of your body down on your feet. Well-designed shoes absorb the shock of each of those blows with their midsoles and outsoles. But after enough repetitions and pressure, that material begins to break down, leaving your feet with less protection from the heavy force. 

The outer sole can also begin to lose its grip, meaning it could be easier for you to slip or sprain an ankle. While your shoes may still fit fine, their weakening condition can adversely affect foot care. Increased pressure means increased stress on your feet, and in many cases, runners will start to develop injuries like shin splints and stress fractures. 

How Do I Know When It’s Time to Switch?

Any signs of pain during or after running are immediate signs that you may need new running shoes. Ideally, identify when your shoe is getting worn out before any injury or pain occurs. By spending less than a minute studying your running shoes every few weeks, you’ll be able to have a better sense of when to replace them. 

Start by turning them over and looking at the outsole. Has it begun to wear away? Then take a look inside the shoe at the midsole, which is responsible for handling most of the pressure from each step you take. If you’re noticing a lot of wrinkles, that’s a sign they’re losing their integrity. Another tip is to put both shoes next to each other on a flat surface and see if the shapes have become different. That transformation is another sign that it may be time for a new running shoe. 

If you’re feeling consistent pain after you go running, it’s time you checked in with an experienced podiatrist like Eric R. Tepper, DPM, in Sugar Land, TX. Offering foot care since 1983, Dr. Tepper is available for everything from assessing a sports injury to making recommendations for new running shoes, and he has worked with a number of professional athletes. To make an appointment, call (281) 980-3668, or learn more about by visiting his website.