Three Things to Do with Old Running Shoes

Got a new pair of running shoes, but you don't feel like sending the old ones to a landfill? Good instinct. There are three things you can do with those old shoes.

1. Donate them

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Who wants old, sweaty, smelly shoes? The reality is, there are many people who can use a pair of soles beneath their feet, and shoes can be cleaned, sanitized, and refreshed by professionals who are far more skilled than we are with a scrub brush and soapy water.

Soles4Souls is one great organization dedicated to repurposing old shoes; they've distributed donated footwear to refugees and communities in crisis around the world. You can also do a web search for donation centers in your local community. Many running stores collect gently used pairs too.

One caveat: donate shoes with life left in them. A pair that's structurally cooked belongs in the next two categories.

2. Recycle them

Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program grinds old athletic shoes into material for courts, tracks, and playground surfaces. These days it works by drop-off: bring your worn-out sneakers (any brand's athletic shoes, generally, though check first) to a participating Nike store. The old mail-in option is gone, so plan your trip around a store visit.

Organizations like One World Running can also help with recycling and redistribution efforts.

3. Reuse them

Seriously, there is nothing worse than a rainy, snowy day trying to slow you down. Keeping the old pair for muddy days is a great idea. You can also add traction devices to the bottom if you're in a snowy area and need extra grip.

And if your shoes are too far gone for even a short run, have some fun with them. Turn one into a plant pot. Yes, that's a thing, and no, your neighbors will not understand.

However you retire them, the harder question is knowing when a pair is done. Worn-out shoes are a quiet way to sabotage good training. For the habits that keep the rest of your running honest, see 10 habits of consistent runners.