[pct-l] how do running shoes tend to die, and when?

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

On Aug 27, 2010, at 1:09 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> how do the shoes tend break down? Stiches blow out?
> Bottoms wear out?

I've had them look more or less fine on the outside but the foam in  
the sole (not the insole but inside the sole) has worn out messing up  
my gait. I've also had them where the upper material gets a lot of  
holes and once they get to a certain size, too much dirt and little  
rocks get in. I've seen thru-hikers with their shoes' uppers held  
together with dental floss.

I really don't think running shoes last long enough. They're hardly  
worth the money. I've had $40 running shoes last a lot longer and  
feel a lot better than the really expensive ones, but the minus has  
been that they usually stay wet longer which can be annoying if  
you're walking through a particularly wet area.