From the article: When Should I Replace My Walking Shoes?
How do you make your walking shoes last longer? What tips do you have to get more life from your running shoes, walking shoes and athletic shoes? Share Your Tip
untie the laces
- I have a terrible habit of just pulling out of my everyday sneakers. For my treasured walking shoes, first, I bought two pair (two colors so I can tell them apart), and second, I ALWAYS untie them and loosen the laces before removing them. Then they air out for at least a day before I put them in the closet. I also track their milage on MayMyWalk, so I know when I need to start looking for replacements.
- —Guest PenguinCity
Glue Stick
- As an alternative to shoe goo, I use glue sticks from a hot glue gun to build up soles - more ecconimcal and easire to buy.
- —Guest Dasher
Making Shoes last longer
- Two tips: 1. Use baby powder inside the shoes every time before wearing them. It will keep them dry and fresh. 2. When the soles wear out re-fill them using Shoe-Goo, which comes in a tube (available at Ace Hardware stores for about $5.-, or on line, where it is more expensive). The way to do it is to clean the sole and heel from all loose material, place the shoe upside-down, fill the worn section with shoe-Goo and let it cure for about 24 hrs. For the heel, I build up a "wall" using masking tape attached to the side around the shoe, the fill it. When cures, just remove the tape. I have used it quite a few times and it works wonders. Everything else I tried just peeled off after a very short time.
- —Guest Dror Kopernik
shoe savin and a p.s. about sports bras
- rotate, rotate, rotate! I buy sneakers when on sale so I have 4 that are currently in rotation. I also take out the inserts and replace with arch supports; it seems to really help the heel wear pattern for me. And, as was mentioned, exercise sneakers are for exercise only; older, "less optimal for exercise" versions are ready for wet weather, muddy trails, & yardwork. Muddy shoes: dry (stuff with newspaper) & scrape off dirt; I never wash them. p.s. the same goes for sports bras: rotate! Find the sales to build up a set of 3; wash after use - in a mesh bag, & then air dry. (Sweat and dryers are bra killers!) My friend wears her bra into the shower, washes with a dab of shampoo, and then lets it hang in the shower to dry!
- —sue101la
Washing Shoes in Washing Machine
- One reader mentioned not to place shoes in the washing machine. I wear Skechers exclusively. They are my one and only brand . I have two pairs and wash them in my every other month. My Skechers are leather - plus Skechers are made in the USA. I tried several others brands over the years and was very disappointed. I bought my first pair of Skechers 3 years ago and they are still in great shape! I rotate between the two pairs - plus I air mine outdoors. Mine are from the 'Skecher ENERGY' series.. Funny I am sitting here wearing them after returning to the house from a 2 mile walk :)
- —Huggaholic
Shoe Goo
- I put a dollop of Shoe Goo on the high wear areas on the treads of my new walking shoes; I always wear out the bottoms of my shoes before any other part of the shoe wears out. I have four pairs of walking shoes that I rotate. The trick is to buy "replacement" shoes before you totally wear out the shoes you're intending to replace.
- —The_Whale
Freeze 'em
- I heard that putting your shoes inside a plastic bag and placing them in the freeze overnight helps to kill the fungi.... I don't know if it kills anything, but it does tame funky odors. Wendy's Note: Extreme temperatures probably are not good for the glues and materials in the shoes. This might fight back odor but actually reduce the shoe life due to those factors.
- —Guest lila
Rotate Shoes
- I have two good pairs of walking shoes I rotate between. That way they have time to air out between wearings (I hate to admit it, but I have very sweaty feet.)
- —Guest Connie G.
Wear them only for walking
- I save my good fitness walking shoes only for fitness walking. I have other shoes that I wear to work, shopping, etc. That keeps them fresh and saves them for when I really need their good features.
- —Guest WB
