QUESTION:

Bob,
I've never been fitted for shoes before. I was wondering how long the process takes and also how many miles you recommend going between new pairs of shoes?
Andrew

ANSWER:

Andrew,
The fitting process may take 15 minutes, or it could be an hour or more. We want to do a thorough job for you because having the correct shoes is very important. It is not a process we want to rush through.

There are so many variables that come into play that affect the time between getting new shoes. Among the considerations are: your size and weight, your biomechanics, how often you run or walk, the surfaces you run on, etc. We usually advise a person to consider changing their shoes when they have 400-500 miles on them.

By definition we are destructive to shoes. When we run, we come crashing down on the midsoles 700-800 times per mile with the impact of about 3 times our body weight. After a while, the shock absorbancy of the shoe diminishes and we do not receive the protection that we had earlier. Tell tale signs are aches that can't really be explained. That is a good indication that the shoes need a replacement, even if they don't appear overly worn.
Bob