You can see from today’s photograph, that the tread on the bottom of these running shoes, is starting to wear down.  This particular pair is getting quite old, so I am faced with an age-old question.  When should you retire running shoes? 

These shoes are a pair of Asics Gel Kayano 26.  I track all of my runs, so I know the history of these shoes very well.  I first ran in them, on August 9th last year.  Since then, I have run in them a total of 72 times and have covered 384 miles.

Having run in Asics Gel Kayano shoes for a very long time, I have a lot of history on when they start to wear out.  For me, anytime the total mileage gets above 350, I know it is time to pay attention.  

How do I decide, if a particular pair of shoes should be retired?  I actually go by feel.  When shoes are starting to break down, I start to experience a little more soreness after running in them.  When I feel like the shoes are no longer giving me the protection I need, I stop running in them.

I don’t think I am there yet, with this particular pair.  I did a 45 minute run in them today.  Afterwards, my legs felt fairly good.  Given how tired my legs have been lately, if these shoes were starting to fail, I would have certainly felt it today.  

So that is how I decide.  How do you decide when to retire running shoes?