when to replace trail runners

When they are shredded beyond use, the soles are worn flat or you feel no cushioning whatsoever. You'll know. 500 miles would be good wear, depending on terrain and your weight.

For me, the treads are always the first to go. Hmmm… the fabrics and all are still good, but dang, the shoes are getting slippery… :(

I replace them when they no longer provide comfort on the trail.

Several times, I have found that they lose what torsional stiffness they had and become really uncomfortable on rough trail but feel fine on smooth trail.It is as if the bond between the polymer and the filler breaks down and bending and torsional stiffness is lost.

My Salomons (model unreadable) managed 300+ miles before that point of elastic breakdown. Otherwise, they would be a great smooth trail shoe yet.

When considering any trail runner with an EVA or similiar polymer midsole, it is time to replace them when the midsole becomes heavily furrowed in conjunction with loss of comfort of the shoe. Sometimes the sole will wear out before these other two criteria are realized. Bottom line is that you will probably know when to replace your beloved shoes. Either there will be nothing left of them or you will notice that they are no longer comfy.

edit for repair of shoddy typing/spelling

Obvious damage on the outside is one flag for replacement.

Another flag is to be found inside the shoe, under the ball of the foot. When you can feel a real depression there it means the inner footbed is collapsing, and this can lead to severe foot problems. So, if the footbed does not seem flat enough, that too is a flag.

Cheers

With the XA Pro it is pretty easy. You will most likely wear a hole on the lateral side of the fore foot area just below the first lace loop. Buy the time this happens the foam in the sole has probably been packed out. Do note that the tread will probably be ok. Unless you are using one of Salomon’s race shoes, X Wing LAB 2 or Speed Comp shoes, your tread will last longer that the shoes padding and support.

Thanks for the imput. I am starting to develop the holes in the mesh as Justin mentioned. The tread still looks ok. I would say I have a couple hundred miles on them so far – maybe not 500 yet.

I thought another idea would be to wear them to a store that has them and try on a new pair to see if there is a big difference in feal/comfort. -or- just order a new pair and stop wearing the old pair when they don't feel like the new ones anymore.

If they are just starting to get holes, say they have “moderate thread wear”, I wouldn’t replace them yet. I used to wait till I could feel the hole in the side before replacement. If you’re looking to try something new from Salomon try the XT Wing 2. I used to work for Salomon so got to test the XT Wings (1 and 2) for a several years and I like them a lot more than the XA Pro. The material lasts much longer and they are far more stable. Now if you want a shoe the keeps it's cushioning longer get the Hawk 2. Also both of these shoes have symmetrical lacing now so it is easier to replace the laces.

Note: If the XA Pro blows-out on you on the trail. The old dollar bill trick works well enough to get you home (if you are not familiar with the dollar bill trick. Go to a GOOD bike shop).

I wore my pair of xa pros for 1200 consecutive miles on the AT.

albeit by the end the mesh around the big toe was torn and the back of the heel fabric was gone, causing horrible blisters. but they were still structurally intact.

Best shoes ever.

I just bought some speed comps and i feel like they wont last near as long. The heel seems to be wearing out after only wearing around daily to work, the mesh is much less sturdy feeling, and the rubber toe cap isnt as extensive.

As we like to say here "When the Ass falls out of them"