‘Table test’ for sneakers to see if you need new shoes

news5h12/11/2022

0 2 minutes read

'Table test' for sneakers to see if you need new shoes

WWhile it may not be top of mind, well-fitting shoes are important to our health. The adult body has 206 bones and just over 25% of them are in your feet. But the more complex foot has only 26 bones—19 muscles and tendons, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, nearly 8,000 nerve endings, and 250,000 sweat glands in each foot. That’s all to say, your body base is complex and needs proper support by shoes that don’t wear out.

“Wearing shoes don’t have the right cushioning or shock absorption and tilt the way your foot hits the ground,” says podiatrist Jacqueline Sutera, DPM. “Over time, this exaggerated angle causes stress, trauma, pain, and pathology.” Luckily, Dr. Sutera has devised a quick way to determine if your sneakers are past their prime: the tabletop test for sneakers.

What is the 3-second tabletop test for stealth players?

According to Dr. Sutera, the tabletop test for sneakers is a quick and intuitive way to assess the wear and tear of your shoes. It is also extremely simple. By placing your worn shoes on a flat surface like a table top, you’ll be able to tell if they’re balanced. “Check the shoes for asymmetry, signs of wear and see if the holes are misaligned,” says Dr. Sutera. “Also, look inside and turn them upside down and look at the base for holes or smooth grooves.”

How often should I change my sneakers?

Sneakers don’t have a universal expiration date — it really depends on how much you wear them and how hard you work with your shoes; However, there are general recommendations. “If you are a runner or walk a lot, we recommend you try changing your shoes between 300 and 500 miles,” says NJ Falk, managing partner of sneaker brand Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL). is the average life expectancy. So if you aim to walk 10,000 steps a day—about five miles—this means you should change your sneakers every two to three months. “Often consumers don’t realize they’ve come this long in a shoe,” says Falk.

One way to prolong the life of sneakers is to make sure they are used for proper activity. “There’s a technology built into most athletic shoes to support your feet and body during your particular activity, so don’t wear sneakers for walking,” says Dr. Sutera. it’s common for you to have separate pairs every day,” says Dr. Sutera. “It’s also not a good idea to run in basketball sneakers or play tennis in running shoes because basketballs and tennis sneakers are made for side-to-side movement, while running. and walking is made for forward motion.”

Choosing the right sneakers for your preferred form of physical activity or sport will not only help protect your feet from injury but also ensure you get the most miles on each pair.