When to swap out your walking shoes

At what point exactly can you justify buying some new walking shoes or trainers?

In running forums the advice is to swap out your shoes every 400-500 “active” kilometres. The grip starts to wear down and the cushioning starts to fade.

For Dogwalkers this would mean a new pair of shoes every month. This would not only be a drain on the finances but also from an ecological viewpoint.

Generally I like to keep my old walking shoes probably much longer than most people. I find that when the cushioning fades, the shoes seem to be moulded to my feet and remain comfy.

As long as there is still sufficient grip, I will continue to use the shoes, almost in whatever state they appear to be.

Late last week I had to make the tough decision to retire a trusty pair of walking shoes which have joined me on over 3500 kilometres of Dog Adventures.

This is made even more impressive by the fact that I didn’t wear them throughout last Winter as I needed spiked shoes or boots with all the ice.

I am not the type of person who needs to look smart or pretty. Functionality will always beat appearance in my World.

However, when my kids start commenting daily on the holes in daddy’s shoes when I drop them at kindergarten then I feel the maybe I have pushed these trainers to the maximum.

Check out a photo and tell me if you agree.

Do not worry, these shoes have not been thrown away, they join the multitude of other old, comfy trainers which I wear when alone and walking my puppy, Minttu, up in the woods behind where I live.

Doggies: Harpo, Poppy, Tiara, Tesla and Minttu