Cost and Lifetime of Running Shoes

Lcheapomcbon on 29/07/2018 - 18:08
Last edited 29/07/2018 - 20:28

Hello Ozbargainers,

For the last 7+ years I have been purchasing New Balance runners. I get them at the outlet store and they set me back $60-100 ( RRP 160-240).
I run about 100-150km/month, mostly on concrete and the shoes last about 1 year before the soles start getting worn out.

Recently, the New Balance Outlet Store seems more expensive. Cheapest decent runners ~$140.

So I am wondering whether other brands would be less expensive or last longer.

FYI
-I have tried $20-40 shoes from Big W/Kmart. They are fine for casual use and walking but do not last very long when you are running long distances regularly.

What shoes do other ozbarginers use? How long do they last, how much do you run and on what surface!

Cheers

S

EDIT: should be 100-150km/month instead of week! oops

Sports & Outdoors Footwear Running Shoes

Comments

  • elcheapoinoz on 29/07/2018 - 18:20

    I was very happy with my altras.
    Wore them for 1+year and the sole was pretty much as new. I only managed to bag them by running in the bushy thorny field. The sides developed cracks but the soles were still perfect

  • dcep on 29/07/2018 - 18:22

    duct tape the soles

    • cheapomcbon on 29/07/2018 - 20:31

      Not sure if that was a real suggestion or not but i get small holes at the tip of the shoe which could be patched up somehow…

  • JimmyF on 29/07/2018 - 19:37
    +2

    I run about 100-150km/week, mostly on concrete and the shoes last about 1 year before the soles start getting worn out.

    WOW my new balances (that I love BTW), don't get anywhere near that. You're getting at least 5000kms out of them.

    Mine get under 1000km for just walking, but they fit well and are nice to walk in, so I keep going back!!

    • cheapomcbon on 29/07/2018 - 20:29
      +1

      Oops. I meant per month. Have changed (see above)

      So about 1500km per year!

      • JimmyF on 29/07/2018 - 20:36

        Ahhh ok, well that sounds better then!

        Sadly you gotta pay for good shoes. Check the newbalance website, often they have clearance shoes cheap.

  • brett-au on 29/07/2018 - 19:38
    +2

    Uh, you are unhappy that your shoes only last 5200km a year?

    • cheapomcbon on 29/07/2018 - 20:30

      Sorry meant 100-150km per month not week! :O

      Wish I could run 5000km per year!

  • tighttighttight1 on 29/07/2018 - 21:09
    +2

    You're definetly getting your money's worth. You are running an approximate maximum of 1800km per year which is way above the expected life expectancy of running shoe.
    https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/a20806543/running-shoe-que…

    • deepdag on 29/07/2018 - 22:09

      So true. I run in Vibram five fingers @ 50km per month which last me 2 - 2.5 years. But they cost way more than NB, I used to buy them from US Amazon in the past so they were reasonable but locally they are quite dear.

  • mbck on 29/07/2018 - 21:49

    Agree that's a great number. Tbh the midsole (not the outer sole) is probably dead by the 700-800km mark (no cushioning). Plus the fact that you are running on concrete, you'd ideally want as much padding as possible. Less padding means more stress on your joints and… Well…not good. Think new kitchen sponge vs old.

    Take care and happy running op

    • terrys on 30/07/2018 - 08:19
      +1

      " Less padding means more stress"

      There is debate about that. The ABC recently aired a series with Oxford research showing [a] the total loading on the knee cartilage is less during running than walking for the same distance as the reduction in impact time >> increase in stress load and that also the compression and decompression of the cartilage increase air [therefore oxygen] exchange increasing it's recovery capacity and maintaining it's structure.
      Things aren't always black and white.
      Then again, the distance the O.P. is running, metabolic maintenance shouldn't be an issue…

  • TheBilly on 29/07/2018 - 21:49

    I recently purchased Addidas alphabounce from insport for 120… great comfy shoe, but I cant comment on longevity. They are comfortable for running. I used to run in nike Airmax and these are way better and half the price.

  • joqob on 30/07/2018 - 10:18

    I use Brooks Glycerin, the 13th edition were great and I got well over 900kms out of them running on roads and (easy to moderate) trails. I retired that pair from running to walking and they're still good, no major wear. Unfortunately the design has changed slightly in the 15th model to having a plastic toe covering attached to a soft fabric upper. This design hasn't lasted anywhere near as long as the fabric has worn into holes on both shoes where the plastic meets the toe section, and I've done much less running on unchallenging terrain. I had exactly the same thing happen to me previously on a similar mileage with the Saucony Triumph so obviously I need to avoid similar designs in the future.

  • scotty on 30/07/2018 - 13:03

    I run 200-300km each month and chew up maybe 2-3 pairs a year. I run mostly cheap New Balance as well, and it's still possible to get some under $80 New Balance neutral runners. Currently rotating between 2 pairs of Fresh Foam Zante & a pair of cheap adidas. Catch.com.au for example has some cheap New Balance, and they still have Vazee Pace v2 for $70+postage available in many sizes. NewBalance.com.au also runs 50% off full priced items once or twice a year, so do subscribe to the store. Also check the Sports Shoes tag here, which most running shoes will be tagged with.

    As of shoes lifetime, I usually throw them away when

    • Damaged upper. However with today's engineered mesh & you usually go 1/2 size larger for running shoes, the uppers are usually the least likely to break.

    • Mid-sole breakdowns. Many would probably declare EVA midsole "dead" after 500-800km. My NB Fresh Foam feels anything but fresh after 500km. However they still work and as long as there's still a bit of cushioning I probably still keep them just won't take them for long runs.

    • Disappearing out-sole. I run mostly road & footpath which really chews up the rubber on the outsole. The highwear area (for me it's the forefoot + lateral side) usually completely disappears and exposes the midsole after 1000km. Flat outsole also does not provide much grip on wet or smooth surfaces, and that's when I'll throw the shoes out (or "demote" them to lifestyle shoes if they are not in some wacky colourway).

    I probably won't buy the $20-$40 shoes from Kmart to run. Bought a $25 FILA from Costco last year (Interstellar 2). Injured my knee after 2 runs so I have to take 5 month break.

    • cheapomcbon on 30/07/2018 - 21:54

      Thanks for the tips.
      You are doing a lot of running! Well done finding the time. :)

      Probably will keep an eye out for 50% of Newbalance.com.au. Clearances/Catch rarely have my size. (7-7.5!) I generally have being buying the stability models as that is what I bought 7 years ago and decided to stick with it since I haven't had any major problems with it.

      My major problem is out-sole in the forefoot gets worn out pretty quickly.

  • gjk on 30/07/2018 - 19:26

    I also normally get New Balance from Outlet sale or Running Warehouse. My new favourite is Topo Athletic which i recently pickup half price from www.injinjiperformanceshop.com.au They normally have a couple of specials each year which are worth looking out for.

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