How long should trainers last? 1000 miles? 500? 300? Maybe it depends on the terrain, your gait, or other factors? Or if you’re running or walking? This is a question I’ve been asking myself recently, as my Haglofs Gram Trail Running Shoes, bought back in March for my allowed lockdown exercise, are already showing signs of significant wear. I know I’ve worn them quite a bit, but it has made me wonder whether this is normal.
My Haglofs Gram Trail Running Shoes
Let me start by saying I really do like my Haglofs Gram trainers. Genuinely. I bought them from SportsShoes.com for £45 (now out of stock, it was six months ago…) at the start of lock down. I specifically chose these as I wanted something that was light and comfortable for my lunchtime walks from my own front door, and that would also be good for low level trail walks and exploring towns and cities. You know, so the boots could stay at home.
They’ve absolutely fulfilled that need, and they when it comes to comfort, they were an excellent buy. I stand by their inclusion in my April Currently Loving post (which you can read here), in which I said the following:
These are the Haglofs Gram Women’s Trail Running Shoes, which I bought from SportsShoes.com, they are designed as a multi-function shoe, reinforced where you need support and with a very grippy rubber outsole. You could run in these if that was your think, but they are ideal for walking. They are a “nice-day” shoe in that they are not waterproof (by any stretch), but that means they keep my feet nice and cool and comfortable in the sunshine. I might still want to look at a waterproof pair of hiking shoes at some point, as something in between these and my hiking boots, but these are ideal for the kind of walking I’m doing at the moment, and I’ve been very happy wearing them every day since they arrived – if I’m not wearing those slippers I’m in these!
From my Currently Loving | April 2020
This isn’t a post in which I intend to slag off these trainers, or Haglofs, however as you will read, they are wearing out at a pace I was not expecting.
Designed for trail running, with a mesh upper and grippy outsole, I had imagined that these trainers would last me, well, ages. At least a year, maybe more. Haglofs are a decent brand and I respect their credentials, but it does seem like these trainers are showing signs of age before their time. I chose trail runners specifically because I wanted something light, flexible, grippy, supportive, quick to dry, and easy to wear. And these have certainly ticked all those boxes.
How Long Should Trainers Last?
My question is, how long should a pair of trainers like this last?
A quick Google suggests that 300-500 miles and six months of daily wear is a good bet. Even though that sounds like a very small amount of time to me, it does seem to be the common answer on the internet.
I wore them almost daily to begin with, then alternated them with my KEEN Terradora sandals (read my recent review here) when the weather has been very hot, and waterproof shoes when the weather has been stormy over the last couple of months. I would therefore estimate in the last five months I’ve worn on 75 days, and let’s call it 4-miles a day (some more, some less), which is 300 miles. Give or take. The miles certainly add up fast!
Probably three-quarters of these miles will have been on tarmac, with the remaining miles across fields and along low-level footpaths, mostly on dry days but getting caught out in the occasional rain shower and muddy puddle. I always wear them with socks, wash them off when they’re dirty, and put them on/take them off properly. I should also say they are the right size (not too small), and they’ve not rubbed or been caught in anything. I’m not running in these, just walking, so not putting them through the stress of someone heading off on daily runs.
I’ve hit that advised replace-me-now 300-mile-mark, and I would say the signs of wear are indeed very obvious. I’ll be honest. I had no idea that they would wear out so fast.
While the cushioning seems fine underfoot, some of the lugs on the bottom of the trainers that keep you upright in muddy or uneven conditions have flattened, particularly where the ball of the foot strikes the ground.
On the right shoe, there is now a hole around my big toe. It’s about the size of my finger, and growing. At the moment it goes through the mesh upper layer, but the second layer of fabric is just about intact. The material at the ankle has also worn away, leaving the plastic structure exposed.
The left shoe is fairing better, but it is wearing in the same places. The material around the top of the opening is worn away, and the fabric on the inside of the trainer is about to wear through. There will be a hole on the big toe side within a few miles, it’s frayed and ready to go, but so far is holding on.
The trainers are still comfortable, but that hole on the left shoe is going to become a problem very soon as it’ll be bigger than my toes in no time.
I am very curious about this. Is this normal? Should a pair of trainers designed for trail running, only used for walking and on low level trails at that, really show signs of wearing out after 300 miles? Is the desire for squishy breathable comfort leading manufacturers to make footwear that doesn’t last very long? Or am I disappointed over nothing and this is the way it has always been?
I’ll carry on wearing my Haglofs Gram trainers until they fall off my feet, because I honestly do like wearing them. I don’t mind the scruffy look, that doesn’t bother me at all, and am more than happy to walk in these as much as I have been, but I am just a bit disappointed they’re wearing out so soon.
I wonder how long it’ll be before I have to part with some more cash and buy something new? Maybe this is a sign I should go back to something a bit more sturdy like a “proper” walking shoe, as I know that should last a bit longer. But then I would be compromising the lightweight and bouncy nature of these trainers that has been their biggest benefit. It’s hard to know.
Katy
right so according to Strava, my previous pair of (road) running shoes had just under 600km of running in them before I “retired” them. At that point there were no holes, just worn down soles and cushioning.
Since then, I’ve been using them for workouts, dog walking, and as general day to day shoes.. and now they are looking very trashed! Got holes on both sides at the widest part of my foot, and very little grip left.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a pair of trail shoes to last a bit longer than yours have.
It also drives me mad when the uppers of shoes start falling apart before the tread has worn down (see also: my terradorra boot saga)
Splodz
It’s such a shame. I just had no idea trainers were only supposed to last a few hundred miles. I’d have guessed at least 1000. And yes, your KEENs were certainly a saga, it’s so disappointing.
Adam Baker
How long did your last pair of trainers last?
About 3 years.
Were you happy with that?
Given that Merrell have an awful reputation for build quality, it’s amazing. My particular pair had Vibram soles, which lasted well, but they upper started to wear through pretty quick.
Do you replace your trainers every 300-500 miles, or wait until they fall apart?
Wait until they fall apart.
Was I silly thinking a pair of trail runners would make a good and long lasting pair of shoes for walking?
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has experience of high-end brands like Meindl and Scarpa. Did they last any longer?
And, what should I replace these with when the time comes?
Currently wearing some Columbia shoes. They look funky and they’ve held up so far.
Splodz
Thanks Adam. Glad your Merrells are fairing well, while my old favourite boots lasted a really good chunk of time, my most recent ones aren’t doing so well. I have actually been looking at the Columbia shoes, they seem to have some decent styles on offer at the moment.
Allysse Riordan
I think it’s a common issue people who walk a lot have.
I’ve had this issue with quite a few shoes. I normally wait until they are completely falling apart or a hole has pierced through in the sole to replace them. It annoys me so much to pay good money for shoes that don’t last as long as expected. I never know if it’s the manufacturer wanting you to buy more or if it’s genuinely the best that can be expected out of shoes.
I’m always sceptical of putting too much money in shoes. It always feels like a gamble as to when they will fall apart, and really it shouldn’t. It’d be nice to be able to only buy a new pair of shoe every year or so. Or is that too demanding?
In early February I purchased a pair of Keen Womens Terradora Leather WP Shoes I found in a sale. I was looking for a pair of shoe to fulfil a very similar purpose to the ones you mention here. They are a bit on the heavy side but so far I’m very happy with them. I use them everyday. My pair of shoes are limited to walking shoes (I don’t bother with them unless I have a big backpack with me), sandals (still using the Merrell from the first Outdoor Bloggers. I will be devastated when they die), pretty shoes (for when I really can’t wear a paid of trainers), and my everyday and light hiking shoe (currently the Keen ones). As you can imagine they get a fair amount of use. The only sign of use is the sole at the heel (the usual spot because of the way I walk) but there is still plenty of life there. I’d recommend those shoes anytime.
Fingers crossed your next pair last longer than those.
Splodz
Thanks for your comment Allysse. I, too, will wait until shoes are either super uncomfortable or are actually falling apart to get rid of them. I want my money’s worth! I loved my Terradora leather boots (which I wore until they fell off…), maybe I should get a pair of the shoes like you have.
Laura
I have had exactly the same thought about Converse trainers. Used only for mooching around, shopping, a little dog walking etc etc but they really don’t seem to last long at all before they collapse….
Splodz
It’s such a shame that things don’t last 🙁
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Shane Dempsey
A few thoughts:
1) Trail runners aren’t designed for walking on tarmac. It usually wears out the soles quite quickly.
Haglofs gear typically uses Asics soles which are actually pretty durable. This is because Haglofs was owned by Asics until a few weeks ago.
2) I rarely buy trail shoes at full retail price for the simple reason that they tend not to last.
My mountain boots and trekking boots are worn in rough terrain every 2nd weekend. They’re all looked after properly. If I get 4+ years out of them given the abuse they take then I’m delighted. That would be durability as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been happy with Lowa and Meindl boots over the last 20 or so years but I don’t expect miracles from them. However, both brands can be repaired and resoled, unlike trail shoes.
3) My trail runners are also worn in rough terrain but in better weather, and on light trails such as coastal paths etc. When shoes develop holes such as yours it has been because they didn’t fit properly and too much strain was placed on the uppers, or there are manufacturing issues that many wearers reported. I can’t say which is the case for your Haglofs shoes but the wear is not what I would expect from a pair of shoes ultimately designed and made by Asics, a very reputable trail brand. I had some Asics Trabuco trail shoes that lasted 5 years so they don’t routinely make duds.
Shoe manufacturers have to design for different shape of feet. Lengths and widths are important but toe lengths can change the position of the ball or arch of the foot in the same length of shoe and make the comfort and wearing experience pretty different. The same person can find a left shoe perfect and a right shoe uncomfortable for similar reasons. The difference in one person’s feet can be enough to abrade the inner of the goretex lining and persistently cause a shoe on one side to leak. They blame the manufacturer but the answer was to try a different brand, different fit, thicker socks etc.
I would be happy with 300 miles of use from trail shoes if it was hard use and the sole was worn. The type of wear on your shoes perhaps suggests a possible design flaw, perhaps not a good fit, and insufficiently durable material used on the interior. On the other hand, the rest of the shoe is looking pretty good. As there is mostly some variation in the length and width of our feet, and unevenness in our gait, it’s entirely possible to have one shoe wear out much more quickly than the other or develop a hole in a particular flex-point, which has happened for you.
I think you’re right to be somewhat disappointed given the cost of the shoes but it may not be a brand issue so much as an issue of how this shoe works with your feet and gait.
I would try Mizuno trail runners, Brooks Cascadia GTX, Meindl trail shoes (Finale’s or Top Trail perhaps), Lowa Merger’s or similar waterproof trail shoes and see if you get on better. Go to a reputable large shoe such as Cotswolds and try them all on for size and comfort. Unfortunately I think the best case scenario for lighter shoes such as these is maybe getting to 400 – 450 miles or so but ideally the uppers last better than the soles.
I realise this is a long comment but I had similar questions to you a few years ago and hopefully my experiences are helpful.
Splodz
Hi Shane and wow, what a really useful comment, thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.
Since writing this post I’ve found trainers and shoes that have lasted better than these – and would recommend Salomon, adidas terrex and The North Face from my experience. I almost always find the uppers outlast the grippy sole these days, and have definitely adjusted my expectations on how long trail runners and hiking shoes actually last when put to proper use.
Shane
Yes I like Terrex shoes too. The Freehikers and Skychaser are often available at discounts and offer similar comfort to a trainer with much of the support of a traditional hiking boot. My current favourite hiking shoe is the Meindl Finale gtx. When I don’t want a waterproof shoe I use the Lowa Fortux. As tough a trail runner as I’ve owned.