HOW LONG SHOULD MY NEW SHOES LAST?
There are many variables that will determine the life of your shoes, such as mileage, running or walking style, weight and the activity for which the shoes were chosen. The average life of running shoes is 6-12 months or approximately 800 kms. Half way through your shoes life they may still look almost new but there will be some unnoticeable signs of wear causing a flat and loose feeling. At this time it is recommended that the innersoles be replaced (unless using orthotics) giving you back some of the bounce and more of a snug fit. When shoes become too loose, stability is lost and injuries can occur.
Should I get professionally fitted?
Your foot shape and type can change numerous times in your lifetime so it's important to get professionally fitted every year!
Exercise changes, age, weight changes, pregnancy & injuries can all change a foot and your gait. Ill-fitted shoes can cause a number of issues including blisters, bunions, pins & needles, shins splints, numbness, burning sensation and can even sometimes increase your risk of injury.
A correctly fitted shoe should bring immediate comfort & feel like you can go for days without taking them off.
Exercise changes, age, weight changes, pregnancy & injuries can all change a foot and your gait. Ill-fitted shoes can cause a number of issues including blisters, bunions, pins & needles, shins splints, numbness, burning sensation and can even sometimes increase your risk of injury.
A correctly fitted shoe should bring immediate comfort & feel like you can go for days without taking them off.
Do I need to break in my new shoes?
With the advancement of today's footwear technology, you shouldn't need to break or wear in your new shoes - especially if you haven't changed the specific model you wear. However, due to varying support & heel heights some styles can modify the way you stand or move. In turn, your muscles in your legs and feet may experience some soreness whilst they adjust to the new fit!
Will my orthotics fit in my new shoes?
When looking for orthotic friendly footwear there are a few important factors to look for including shoe width and whether or not the shoe has a removable insole. Also, the depth of the heel cup and toe box can impact whether the orthotic will fit the shoe. We stock a large array of orthotic friendly shoes and work in conjunction with local podiatrists.
Is it possible that the same pair of shoes (same manufacturer/model) fit differently?
Yes. Though shoe companies put huge resources into quality control, no two shoes are exactly the same. The same shoe can be made in different factories with different levels of quality control, different moulds. Our advice: Always try on the shoes.
What is the difference between walking & running shoes?
When walking your foot is in contact with the ground up to 50% more than when running, for this and other reasons there are a number of subtle differences between the two shoe types. A walking shoe will often have a bevelled or angled heel due to the angle of foot strike when walking. Another key feature of a walking shoe is that it is designed to be especially flexible through the forefoot to enhance propulsion during toe-off.
Running shoes will generally be lighter in weight than a walking shoe and because they're designed for a higher impact will have more cushioning. For this reason it is not uncommon for people to use a running shoe for walking or a combination of the two. It is not recommended to use a walking shoe for running because pronation is usually more excessive when running a walking shoe often isn't supportive enough.
Running shoes will generally be lighter in weight than a walking shoe and because they're designed for a higher impact will have more cushioning. For this reason it is not uncommon for people to use a running shoe for walking or a combination of the two. It is not recommended to use a walking shoe for running because pronation is usually more excessive when running a walking shoe often isn't supportive enough.
What is the best way to clean my running shoes?
First of all we don't recommend using a washing machine to clean your shoes, machine washing can be very hard on the glues and materials and can damage or shrink your shoes. The best method of cleaning is to give the shoes a scrub with some soapy water. Rinse them well, stuff them with newspaper and then let them dry naturally out of any direct sunlight as extreme heat for extended periods of time can shrink the materials.