Tag Archive for: wear patterns in running shoes

Follow us on Pinterest and discover more ways to organize your running shoes

Sometimes our shoe collection gets out of control. This is especially true when you have specific shoes for specific activities, like wearing your running shoes only when you run. There have been a few times where we couldn’t find the pair we needed. Add in your spouse, maybe kids, or roommates and the shoe pile can grow on its own! We started thinking about ways to organize our shoes and want to share what we’ve discovered with you. We built a Pinterest board with many clever, sleek, and good-looking ideas! Read about four of our favorites below. Follow 3M Half Marathon on Pinterest and decide for yourself when you visit our “Organize Your Running Shoes” board.

Under the bed

Various plastic containers store pairs of shoes under a bed as an example of different ways to organize your running shoes. Click on the image's link to visit 3M Half Marathon's Pinterest page for more ideas.

Unless you already have drawers under your bed, chances are you have unused space. Put this location to work! We pinned several ideas for different ways to organize your running shoes under your bed. Keep your drawer on wheels so it’s easier to pull out and push back in. This is a great option if your shoes are strewn about all over the bedroom.

On the wall

5 pair of running shoes are tucked into a hand-built wooden rack that hangs from the wall. It's an example of different ways to organize your running shoes. Click on the image's link to visit 3M Half Marathon's Pinterest page for more ideas.

Use the vertical space of your walls in your garage, entrance area, or laundry room. Just like the drawer under your bed option, this is a great way to save space. It gets shoes off the ground and prevents them from becoming a tripping hazard. Building a rack or two in your garage is your best bet if your running shoes need to dry off and air out.

In your closet

Stacks of space-saving plastic containers are filled with shoes. It's an example of different ways to organize your running shoes. Click on the image's link to visit 3M Half Marathon's Pinterest page for more ideas.

Do you have a hill of shoes on your closet floor? One of our Pins provides 20 different shoe storage ideas for your closet. Organize your running shoes and get them off the ground. The hang-down design ensures that you can always find the left and right shoes when you need them. This tactic is ideal if you live in an apartment.

DIY rack

Two different DIY racks that provide examples of different ways to organize your running shoes. Click on the image's link to visit 3M Half Marathon's Pinterest page for more ideas.

This might be our favorite because there are so many different ways that the rack can be customized! Let your imagination run wild, unless you buy a rack that comes with instructions. You can build it to your desired height, move it to where you want, and customize its additional functionality. Use the top spot for plants, put key hooks on the side, or add a corkboard so you can pin photos. So many ideas! 

There are so many different ways to organize your running shoes. Our “Organize Your Running Shoes” Pinterest board has something for everyone. We know you’ll find something that fits your just as well as your running shoes! Is there a specific way you currently organize your running shoes? Let us know in the 3M Half Marathon Facebook Group or on Twitter.

You should only log running miles in your running shoes and here’s why

Picking the perfect running shoes can feel overwhelming. Once you find the ideal pair, it could be very tempting to wear them for walking as well. But are they suitable for walking? The short answer is no. It’s important to choose shoes that are made specifically for your primary activity. This means that you should wear your running shoes only when you’re out for a run. Their typical lifespan ranges between 300-500 miles. This advice applies to all runners, especially if you’re training for your first half marathon!

One of the things many people like about running is that it requires minimal equipment. Nevertheless, what you put on your feet is a critical piece of the puzzle. Whatever the cost, you want to extend their life for as long as possible. Here are some reasons why your running shoes should only be worn for running.

Prevent injury

Using running shoes for other activities, especially other sports, may result in an injury like shin splints. Choose the type of shoe that is specifically designed for the sport you are interested in. Keep running shoes just for running. This is true whether you are a beginner or you’re into marathon training. You want your pair to be accustomed to running only. Introducing other activities can make the shoe breakdown faster than desired. Pro tip: further prevent injury when you avoid these 5 training mistakes.

Less cushioning

Running shoes generally have less overall cushioning than walking shoes, especially in the heel. Even though running is a higher impact activity than walking, “your foot is on the ground longer when you walk so the cushion helps to offset that impact over time,” said Emily Splichal, MD, author of “Everyday Is Your Runway: A Shoe Lover’s Guide to Healthy Feet & Legs.” Less cushioning means it could wear out faster if used for more than just running.

Develop wear patterns

Your gait cycle and pronation type lead to the development of wear patterns on the bottom of your shoes. Because walking is biomechanically different from running, each activity will develop different wear patterns. For this reason, if you are wearing the same pair for both walking and running, this may result in multiple wear patterns that can aggravate gait problems. Pro tip: focusing on your stride, cadence, and body composition with these 7 tips can help with wear patterns too.

Save money

A quality pair of new running shoes can be expensive. If you’re committed to logging hundreds of miles you may need a new pair every couple months. Add the daily wear and tear for anything else and you’ll discover that you need to replace them more frequently. To avoid that, you should use a separate, less expensive pair of sneakers for everyday wear.

In conclusion, you should wear your running shoes only for running. Yes, even if they’re really comfortable and you feel fine when you walk in them. By doing this, you will protect what you have spent so much time looking for. You’ll extend their life and reduce the amount of money you spend.