Track total use, not running miles alone
A mileage log is useful because it records how much a shoe has been used. Add substantial walking, commuting or work use to your mental picture even if the running app does not count it. Shoes worn all day can accumulate considerable use between recorded runs.
Treat a commonly quoted mileage range as a reminder to inspect, not an expiry date. Runner, surface, construction and use all differ. A pair that looks tidy can still feel changed, while visible creases alone do not prove that the midsole or guidance has failed.
Check three different kinds of wear
Start underneath. Look for rubber worn through, uneven erosion and a noticeable loss of grip on familiar surfaces. Then inspect the upper: stretched fabric, a torn heel lining or lace damage can weaken hold even when the sole still looks serviceable.
Finally, compare the ride with your own memory or another usable pair. Does one side feel collapsed? Does the shoe feel less predictable on turns? An important change in how it functions is more useful than judging its age or the number of cosmetic wrinkles.
Do not assume every ache is the shoe
New discomfort can coincide with a worn pair, but training changes, surfaces and many other factors may also be involved. Check whether distance, pace or frequency changed at the same time. Avoid making a confident diagnosis from shoe age alone.
If a fresh, appropriately fitted pair feels clearly better, that is useful practical information. It is not proof that the old shoes caused an injury. Persistent pain or symptoms that affect ordinary walking deserve assessment rather than an endless sequence of replacement purchases.
Replace with enough time to compare
If a race or long event is approaching, inspect the shoes well beforehand. That leaves time to try a replacement on ordinary outings instead of debuting it on the biggest day. Reordering the same model name still requires checking the version and fit.
An older running pair can sometimes serve for lighter use if it remains comfortable and safe. Do not automatically demote a badly worn or slippery shoe to all-day walking, where it may still see substantial load. Its next role should depend on its remaining condition, not simply on being unsuitable for running.
Questions about this topic
Can I tell that the support is dead by bending the shoe?
There is no universal hand test for expired guidance. Evaluate visible damage, fit and changes during actual use rather than relying on one bend or squeeze.
Should I replace both shoes if only one is worn?
A new matched pair avoids combining substantially different wear states. If one side repeatedly wears much faster, consider discussing the pattern with a fitter or clinician when symptoms are present.