New Balance Vancouver

Hi, I’m Jordan from New Balance Vancouver. One of the most common questions that I get asked is “How often should I replace my running shoes?” It’s recommended you do so every 800 kilometres. For the average runner running three times per week, 10 kilometres at a time, that usually equates to somewhere between 8 and 10 months.

Obviously, if you’re training for something like a marathon, you’re putting a lot more mileage on your shoes, and you should be replacing your shoes more often.

Another thing to consider is if you’re running on consecutive days. If you’re doing so, that shoe’s not having the appropriate amount of time to dry out; also, the midsole needs to rebound. So really, you should be alternating between two different pairs of shoes. It’ll actually improve the life of both of those shoes.

Some other considerations are: size of the individual – obviously, if you’re a heavyset individual, you’re going to break your shoes down more often. Or if you have a history of having injuries – then, obviously when that shoe starts to break down a little bit more, and you start feeling those pains that you’ve had once before, then you’ll want to replace your shoes more often than somebody who has good foot mechanics and doesn’t have a problem or a history of injuries.

Another consideration is the type of shoe you’re running in. Let’s say it’s a motion control shoe. Those shoes are designed for heavierset individuals, therefore they’ll get more life out of those shoes – whereas the lightweight shoes or Minimus shoes; they’re going to break down more, so you’re going to have to replace that shoe more often. Let’s say a heavyset person had a desire to run in lightweight shoes – then obviously you’re going to pay the price for that.

So, not looking at running shoes, but other shoes like walking shoes or casual shoes, one of the things you can view to identify whether that shoe is starting to break down or not is the sole wear. If the forefoot of that shoe is starting to show through to the midsole, or starting to get quite smooth, then obviously it’s time to replace your shoes. Likewise, that heel area – if you’re starting to expose foam in those areas, then you’ll want to replace that shoe.

I like to do a little bit of a compression test, which is that I squeeze the forefoot of that shoe, and if I feel a lot of softness in that area, then that’s an indication that shoe’s losing its support and its cushioning.

So these are ways to identify whether a shoe has broken down and needs to be replaced more often. Feel free to contact me – I’m jordan (at) newbalancevancouver (dot) ca.

One of the most useful all around types of shoes is the cross trainer – a shoe built for quick lateral (left-to-right, etc.) movements. Popular in gyms and crossfit settings, these shoes feature flat, grippy soles and leather uppers to keep your foot snug. Because of this, they make a great day-to-day shoe.

The biggest difference between New Balance cross trainers and New Balance running shoes is the material in the upper. Because running requires a lot of exertion, runners’ feet get hot and sweaty quickly. For this reason, runners are generally built with mesh uppers – to allow feet to “breathe” better. Cross trainers, on the other hand, are built with bracing for quick side-to-side movements that are often used in the gym or at a boot camp. These stability features keep the foot planted within the shoe for boot camp exercises like line sprints.

Cross trainers also generally feature durable rubber outsoles. With a generally flat tread pattern on the bottom, save for some flex grooves and texture to allow for grip, these shoes provide a lower stance than more outdoorsy trail runners.

I prefer a cross trainer for an everyday shoe mostly because of their comfort. My 856s have a nice wide forefoot, so I don’t feel the outside of my foot pushing over the edge of the insole like I do with other types of shoes. I also really like the leather upper for living in Vancouver – it keeps the rain out and keeps my socks from getting soaked.

Because of their leather construction, cross trainers also tend to look a little more conservative than the flashy runners out there. The leather uppers look more “complete” and less “busy” than a runner, and they often come in a white-and-navy pattern that goes well with just about anything. They also tend to offer good value for money.

Bottom line – if you like New Balance comfort but you don’t need a running shoe, have a look at a pair of cross trainers.

One of the plus sides about New Balance running shoes is that we have a TON of different styles. And one of the down sides about New Balance is that we have a ton of different styles. It’s great when you’re in a New Balance store and you have a Procare Fit Specialist there who can help you pick. But it’s tough when you’re shopping in a sporting goods / warehouse store and you’ve got to sort through boxes on your own. This guide is meant to help you pick.

1. Have a look at your arches. There are three different styles of walking gait – supinator, regular pronator, and overpronator. The first isn’t very common (only about 5% of the population), and the rest of the population breaks down into the pronator and overpronator categories. Your arch style determines your walking gait.

To check your arches, try the wet test. After you step out of the shower, leave a wet footprint on a flat floor (ie tile or linoleum.) If your foot leaves a thin connecting line between the heel and the forefoot – like mine – then you have high arches, and you should generally stick with a neutral shoe.

If your foot leaves a big, flat print like the Hang Ten logo from the 1980s, you’ve got a flat foot, you likely overpronate and should look for some gait correction. Look toward motion control shoes or strong stability shoes.

If your footprint is somewhere in the middle, you’re most likely a moderate overpronator and could use a little bit of gait correction. Look for mild or moderate stability shoes.

2. Next, ask yourself what kind of running you’ll be doing. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time on gravel and dirt, it’s a good idea to look toward trail runners, with their grippy offroad outsoles. If you’re on-road and you want to minimize impact on your joints, look toward highly cushioned shoes like the New Balance 1080. Runners who want a little more style often look at heritage runners, like the 993 and 587.

Pro tip: the shoe’s upper material is a great indicator of what the shoe is meant for. If it’s all mesh, it’s all business, and is made for serious runners. If it’s suede, it’s the right shoe for someone who just likes to be comfortable walking around all day.

A new and popular segment of shoes, called minimalist runners, has recently emerged. These are popular with barefoot runners, long distance marathoners, and proponents of Good Form Running. Do yourself a favour and make sure you see a pro when you get a pair of these – they’re built for a different style of running, and they’re not for everyone.

3. Get sized up. Most shoes stores should have a Brannock device for measuring proper shoe size and width. If you’re shopping at a store that doesn’t have one (or have staff handy to size you up), the best thing to do is try the shoes on and walk around the store for a bit. Pay attention for pinch points in the shoe (too small or narrow) or excessive heel slip (too large).

Make sure you have enough room between the end of your foot and the end of the shoe, to avoid bruised toes. The “rule of thumb” is to keep a thumb’s width of room between toe and shoe.

Pro tip: We recommend that you buy a shoe a half-size larger than your foot to avoid discomfort. It’s also a good idea to try them on at the end of the day, as feet swell throughout the day, to avoid buying shoes that are too small.

All things said, we would of course recommend that you get fitted up by a professional whenever possible. When you buy a pair of shoes, you’re not just paying for the leather – you’re paying to have someone analyze your foot and find the absolute best pair of shoes for you, and back their recommendation with a guarantee.

Please feel free to call (1-888-501-1333) or email us if you’ve got any questions at all – we’d love to help.