When do you replace minimalist shoes?

valerieschram
valerieschram Posts: 97 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've read conflicting things. Half the people say you should replace them less often because there isn't much in the way of foot support anyway, so you don't have to worry about the shoe breaking down. The other sources I've read say that you need to replace them more often because they break down faster because there isn't much support in them. I've made the mistake in the past of waiting too long to replace traditional running shoes and then getting an injury. I haven't had any foot problems with my minimalist shoes so far, but I'm just confused as to when I need to worry about replacing them.

Replies

  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Just run in bare feet. Problem solved.






    To be more serious (actually, some people do do that): I'd replace them every 6 months or 500 miles, whichever comes first, like you should with traditional shoes.
  • QueenBishOTUniverse
    QueenBishOTUniverse Posts: 14,121 Member
    My first pair lasted me almost a full year and I put plenty of mileage on them. I only replaced them because they had worn through on the edge of the toes and the tread on the bottom was starting to get thin, but I can't say I noticed any real difference in functionality as they got older.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    My answer to this is always this:
    You legs will tell you when you need new shoes!

    I used to track miles on my shoes but after awhile I just let my legs tell me when new ones are needed
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Just run in bare feet. Problem solved.






    To be more serious (actually, some people do do that): I'd replace them every 6 months or 500 miles, whichever comes first, like you should with traditional shoes.

    that doesn't make much sense- you replace traditional sneakers that often because of the internal padding that's been compressed and is no longer serving it's function-

    no internal padding to break down- no replacement.

    replace them when they are to uneven and or affecting your gate-
    or when they bottom is worn off.
  • Fitfully_me
    Fitfully_me Posts: 647 Member
    I think now is a good time.
    I recently saw something that said some of these have been recalled. I believe some refunds are being issued as well.
    Can't recall at the moment where I saw it.
  • QueenBishOTUniverse
    QueenBishOTUniverse Posts: 14,121 Member
    Vibrams is issuing refunds over a law suit settlement. From what I've ready they settled because they didn't want to pay the court expenses for fighting it out. But the shoes themselves are not under recall.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    when your bloody stumps can't take it anymore?
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    It depends on the shoe. Some need to be replaced every 300-400 miles, others will last 900.

    When you start having aches and pains that you don't normally get, its usually time to replace your shoes. I can always feel when the mileage is getting up there, then I look at my log and my shoes are usually around the 350 mark.
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    In to follow. I had been wondering this exact same thing but never go around to posting.

    edit: I think this would depend on the type of minimal shoe as well. Some do have a fair bit of padding as they are more of a transition shoes.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    I think now is a good time.
    I recently saw something that said some of these have been recalled. I believe some refunds are being issued as well.
    Can't recall at the moment where I saw it.
    Not recalled,nor is there anything wrong with them.

    It is jus tsimpley their claims o fthe benefits were not substantiated through actual testing.

    If you have them and like them, there is nothing wrong at all.
  • Fitfully_me
    Fitfully_me Posts: 647 Member
    Vibrams is issuing refunds over a law suit settlement. From what I've ready they settled because they didn't want to pay the court expenses for fighting it out. But the shoes themselves are not under recall.

    I see.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Vibrams is issuing refunds over a law suit settlement. From what I've ready they settled because they didn't want to pay the court expenses for fighting it out. But the shoes themselves are not under recall.

    I see.

    Yeah. There is nothing defective with the shoes. The lawsuit was in regards to claims that Vibrams strengthens muscles, prevents injuries, improves range of motion, and making claims that running barefoot/with Vibrams is backed by studies.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    If its a true minimalist shoe then change them when the soles wear out or you have holes in them. Otherwise there is nothing to "wear out" like with traditional shoes.
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    It depends on what kind of minimal shoe you wear; if you're wearing Vibrams, IDK.
    I wear Saucony Kinvaras, and I replace them when the pads on the bottom are worn down or when the arches start to feel unsupportive. I'm still wearing some lightly-used Kinvara 2s that I bought 2-3 years ago, but I just bought a new pair of long runs. They're considered a minimalist shoe because of the light weight and the 4mm drop between heel and forefoot. I don't log my shoe miles (though I should) so I go by the feel of the soles, mostly. But I'd say I replace a pair of shoes every 1-2 years, but I also cycle between two or three pairs.
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    If its a true minimalist shoe then change them when the soles wear out or you have holes in them. Otherwise there is nothing to "wear out" like with traditional shoes.

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