How Many Miles Do Running Shoes Last?

If your legs suddenly feel more tired than usual, or your feet start getting sore for no reason, your running shoes might be to blame.

Most runners don’t realize how much wear their shoes go through until their body starts feeling it.

Let’s talk about how long running shoes actually last, how to know when it’s time to replace them, and how to keep track without guessing.

The Short Answer

Most running shoes last between 300 and 500 miles. This is the range where cushioning, foam, and support start breaking down.

Some runners will get more. Some will get less. But once you move past that range, your shoes aren’t protecting your body the way they used to.

When shoes lose their cushioning, your joints and muscles take the hit. That can lead to:

A lot of “random” running injuries are actually from running in worn-out shoes.

Spoiler alert: you don’t need to wait for holes to form in your shoes. Replace your shoes when:

If something feels off, trust it.

Here’s the tricky part: Nobody remembers how many miles they’ve put on their shoes.

You might think, “I just bought these a few months ago.”

But if you’re running 15–20 miles per week, that adds up fast.

That’s why tracking shoe mileage is one of the simplest ways to keep track of when it’s time to retire your shoes before risking injury.

Instead of guessing, you can track how many miles you run in each pair of shoes.

Morning Glory Running’s Shoe Mileage Tracker lets you:

It takes the stress out of the decision, and helps you avoid running on worn-out gear.

Replacing running shoes isn’t about being the trendiest runner on the course. It’s about:

Good shoes keep you running. Worn-out ones hold you back.

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