Footwear Insight

YES NO MAYBE 34 • Footwear Insight | Sports Edition ~ May 2021 footwearinsight.com "Everyone has a different routine when it comes to shoes, but I do think tips on signs of wear should be listed." Female 40 "I am not sure about expiration date. A color change on the sole or insole would be neat. Like a toothbrush, the bristles lose color after so many uses. A sole could expose a different color when worn 400 miles." Female 51 "I have never in a million years expected to see shoes with an expiration date! Too funny." Female 41 "That would seem to be a move that was more attentive to sales goals than my foot/running health." Female 40 "Not a date, but miles!" Male 27 "Run mileage yes." Male 49 "I think it's based on mileage or use." Female 32 "But a life expectancy as far as number of miles the foam/support will hold up would be nice." Male 25 "I love this idea but I think it's so personal and depends on how much miles you run a week." Female 41 "Heck no, it depends on the quality of the shoes and how often they are used, and even the beating they take when they are used. That would make absolutely zero sense." Male 31 "In terms of mileage recommended for that style of foam or soles, possibly. You couldn't recommend a date as runners rack up mileage/wear at different rates." Female 37 "It would need to be based on a combination of date manufactured and date sold, plus mileage." Female 37 "Running shoes seem to have a life span of miles. This information should be readily available to the consumer." Male 27 "Use, heat, cold and storage can save or destroy a shoe. Time is a huge factor. The shoes naturally break down. Also they should come with storage instructions." Male 48 "Couldn't hurt to know how long 'til needs replacing." Female 31 "That may be great! I had been using the same pair of sneakers to run in and work out in for years, and did not know that I should not be doing that as a new runner until a friend told me to change out the sneakers and my foot pain would stop. She was right." Female 38 "There should be a recommended change date, but it depends on number of miles. I can easily put 100 miles on a pair of shoes in a month." Male 55 "I think it would help sell running shoes. I typically keep the 250-300 mile rule in mind." Male 35 "There should be a sole gauge to tell you that your shoe is worn and time to buy new ones. A smart shoe. I want credit for that." Male 51 "I've bought several pairs of shoes on secondary/sale market and had issues with them feeling 'worn out' despite never being worn." Male 37 "They should have a mileage rating." Male 36 "I think I would appreciate this. Although would it make the manufacturer trend toward shorter shoe life to boost profits?" Male 44 "Based on your running patterns. Foam won't necessarily degrade over time on the shelf like food, but if you were to tell a sales associate how much you run, it would be kind of cool to have them write your recommended replacement date on the bottom, kind of like an oil change sticker!" Male 27 "If the foam is going to degrade, then heck yeah!" Male 47 "Interesting concept. But what would it be based on? Foam deterioration? Glue deterioration? It might be get confusing with how long the shoe is supposed to last if there is a date on it." Male 36 "That is an interesting question. I think knowing the highest mileage they can handle would be helpful, especially for newer runners who don't know how important changing shoes is for your running." Female 39 HOW OFTEN DO YOU REPLACE YOUR RUNNING SHOES? 6-9 months 1 year or more 3-6 months 9-12 months Every 3 months or less 9% 27% 24% 21% 19% 56% 44% RUN CONSUMER SURVEY Source: The survey, conducted by MESH01, included 350 respondents, men and women, ages 18 to 60 who identify themselves as active runners. We asked, consumers answered. Most runners know that they should replace their running shoes at some point. But do they think running shoes should have an "expiration" or "used by" date? The answers are revealing! Do You Think Running Shoes Should Have An "Expiration" Date Or A "Best If Used By" Date?

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