PODIATRIST DISCUSSES FACTORS AFFECTING RUNNING SHOE WEAR

The idea that you need to replace your shoes regularly isn’t just a marketing ploy, Robert Conenello, DPM, a sports podiatrist and founder of Orangetown Podiatry in Orangeburg, New York, tells SELF. Your running sneakers actually do break down over time, starting with the foam that cushions each collision with the ground. While the type of shoe you buy matters for longevity, other factors—including your personal characteristics and how you use your shoes—can affect how quickly they break down too.

 

Dr. Rob Conenello

 

For one, your unique biomechanics play a role, Dr. Conenello says. You might land lighter on your feet than another runner, or strike the ground with a different part of your foot, causing unique wear patterns. The surfaces you travel on make a difference too. Hard pavement can extract a larger toll than softer trails. Running exclusively on the treadmill may keep your shoes looking nice for longer, since they’re not exposed to the elements. But because you’re hitting the belt in almost exactly the same position each time, they may wear out more quickly than if you ran outside, Dr. Conenello says.

 

Source: Cindy Kuzna, SELF [10/27/21]

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News