Category: Shoe Care

Get a Longer Life Out of Your Running Shoes

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Running is a great way to stay fit, and to also satisfy your competitive nature if racing is your thing. Whether it’s a 5K or full-blown marathon, the goal of lowering that running time with each race is an added motivator to stay fit and also keep it fun. But if you’re a runner then few things are more important than the shoes you run in. The mileage can add up fast, but so can the bucks when having to buy pair after pair so it never hurts to find ways to make those favorite shoes last as long as they can. While it’s important to run in good shoes and replace them when needed, there are a few simple techniques to insure you’ll get the longest life possible out of them.

Running shoes

Only Use Them for Running

First and foremost, decide never to wear those comfy running shoes for anything but your runs. This confines them to only the mileage you’ll put on them while running and that way it’ll be easier to track when it’s time for new ones. Running shoes normally last from 350-400 miles per pair, so make a note when they’re first purchased and log the mileage. Secondly, invest in a second pair and alternate between two pairs every time you run. This will keep each pair fresher and help prevent them from wearing out as fast when one pair can dry out from moisture while you use the second pair.

Always Dry Your Running Shoes

After every run, make sure to let the shoes dry out. Don’t keep them stuffed in a gym bag or closet and if they get wet from rain, remove the insoles and loosen the laces so they can dry out faster. Resist all urges to throw wet shoes in the dryer to dry them out. This will only break down the leather faster and those shoes won’t last as long as they should. And speaking of drying, avoid throwing running shoes in the washing machine too; they’re not meant to be submerged in water, so instead use a scrub brush and some mild soap for any spot cleaning needed.

Try to find a spot for your running shoes that you always keep them in that has good circulation and is away from air vents and heat. This will keep them from breaking down from those elements. For example, resist the urge to keep the shoes in the trunk of your car until the next work out. If it’s summertime, the heat will practically destroy them.

Use an Athletic Shoe Support Insert

Lastly, add an athletic shoe support insert at the halfway point of the shoe’s life. The arch support and cushioning is one of the first things to break down, and adding an insert can make your shoes feel brand new. The supports are available at most drugstores or larger department stores, but make sure to get one engineered for running or athletic shoes. They usually have added arch support and gel inserts made to take the pounding that a running shoe experiences. The inserts are easy to cut to make fit any shoe and then just slip it under your shoe’s insert, and then replace the insert back over it.

Dean Nason is a fitness enthusiast who writes for Hive Health Media.  He enjoys writing about topics ranging from weight loss tips to natural treatments for arthritis.

Running Shoe Care

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Runners often just cannot resist running, even in less than perfect conditions. While the workout may be exhilarating and refreshing, mud and rain can take a toll on your running shoes. In order to keep running shoes in ideal condition, there are some measures you can and should take. For example, every athlete needs to know how to dry running shoes without damaging them.

How To Wash and Dry Running Shoes

First, although I will admit to doing so without disastrous results, do not  use a washing machine to clean your running shoes. This is stressful on the materials, so it is best to hand wash them with products that were designed specifically for shoes. A soft brush will work to remove stubborn mud and dirt that inevitably build up without damaging the shoes. Many people choose to use a toothbrush. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the shoes when done scrubbing. If the wet shoes sit with the detergent still absorbed into them, it could potentially prevent the shoes from springing back to their original shape.

After washing or running in wet conditions, certain drying methods and techniques can ensure the longevity of your running shoes. Never under any circumstance dry them in a clothes dryer with any amount of heat. The heat settings tend to be far too hot, and the tumbling has both the potential to distort the shape and to damage the tub of the dryer. Along the same lines, do not put the shoes too close to any heat source in an effort to accelerate the time it will take for them to dry. It is much better for the shoes to allow them to dry at a slower pace. The best method is to place them outside in the sun, assuming the rain has passed. This also helps the smell to dissipate. If the temperature outside is exceptionally warm, bring the wet running shoes back inside after they are about 75% dry. This will prevent them from becoming over-dried and crispy feeling. Stuffing paper in your running shoes while they dry can help preserve their form.

Running Shoe Care Products

Running Shoe Care Kit

While these are beneficial measurements to take after running in the rain, there are products that are ideal for use before such an event. One popular product is the 10 Seconds Shoe Care Recovery Kit. This product protects, disinfects, and deodorizes your running shoes as quickly as possible. The kit includes the disinfectant and deodorizer as well as a cleanser that is specifically made for shoes, but it also includes a water repellant that can prevent the damage that comes from running in the rain. Not only will it repel the water. It will repel the snow, dirt, and ice making it great for running in any weather.

SSS102

If your running shoes were not prepped before the run or the light rain turned into an all-out downpour, Stuffitts Shoe Savers are an innovative product that can prevent damage and bring your shoes back to life more quickly than waiting for them to dry naturally. Stuffitts Shoe Savers are inserts that you put in after running to absorb odor and wetness that found its way inside the shoe. As they are made from all natural cedar, you do not have to worry about any hazardous chemicals that may wear away at the lining.