Is it time for a (shoe) change?
Shoes wear out at different rates for different people. Wearing old or worn footwear may contribute to pain and injury. As shoes wear, they lose both their shock absorption and supportive qualities.
But when do you know if they need replacing?
👟 Just like car tires, check the tread; it should be in good shape - you don't want excessively worn areas.
👞 The upper material part of the shoe shouldn't appear contoured, ripped or tipped. A worn upper can result in the feeling of sliding around in the shoe and even develop into hot spots or blisters.
👢 If the area under the heel and ball of the foot has compressed, then the shoe has lost some of its cushioning. You may see some visible wrinkles in the midsole (the cushy part of the shoe), or it may feel 'flat' or less spongy/ cushioned.
👟 If you suddenly have aches, niggles and pain that has occurred without reason (no trauma, no change in day-to-day activities), it may be a sign that your shoes need replacing.
Typically you should expect to get 500 - 800 km out of a pair of shoes before they need replacing or 6-12 months off regular wear as a general rule. But remember that not all shoes are created equally. Some are more durable than others (and the cost isn’t necessarily indicative of the shoe's longevity).
Also remember that our bodies like variety! If you're looking to reduce your risk of repetitive stress injury, mixing up your shoes (and activity) can help. Multiple shoes can potentially lead to a variation in the load applied to the body which may be helpful in reducing injury.
Schedule an assessment with Angela for footwear recommendations and education. #HappyFeet
