I am not proud to say it, but I can be quite frugal when it comes to replacing my damaged clothes and accessories. I do not like to replace my possessions till I am absolutely sure they are ravaged beyond repair. While this practice has served me well in terms of saving money, it has also got me into trouble quite a few times. Once I wore my worn out shoes on my hiking trip and they got completely torn up while I was on my way back. I had to trudge through the wild barefooted, which was not a very nice experience.

After that day, I started to give special attention to my shoes. I have learned the art of analyzing them thoroughly and now I am able to tell if they can be worn or not. Below are a few sins that you should look for before heading out into the wild.

Worn Out laces and Lose Eyelets: Laces wear down due to the friction created while tightening and loosening your laces. When laces wear down, it indicates to you that your hiking boots may not be up to the task. If the eyelets on the shoes become loose, you won't be able to properly lace your shoes. This will reduce your comfort and support on the trail. You should seriously consider replacing the shoes when this happens.

Cracked Midsole: Any sign of visible compression lines in the midsoles is a great indicator of a damaged shoe. Without a good midsole, you won’t get a comfortable walking experience. To avoid an uncomfortable hike, replace your shoes as soon as you see any sign of a cracked midsole.

Worn-Out Insoles or Ankle Support: Before heading out you should always check your insole for cracks and your ankle collar for misshapen cushioning or a loose fit. You should seriously consider replacing your shoes if you observe any of the aforementioned damage.

Worn Tread: Worn treads surely indicate that your hiking shoes are not worthy of your feet. Not only worn out treads can be uncomfortable, they can also be downright dangerous. You should most definitely replace your shoes in this case.

Press Test

I frequently use the well-known "press test" to determine if my hiking boots are ready for my next hike.

Step 1: Press the outsole up with your thumb. Make sure that you press hard enough to imitate the flexing that a boot experiences during a hike.

Step 2: Now, look at the midsole as you press and look out for cracks or strong compression lines. If you see the midsole developing small fine lines or wrinkles, it means it is in decent shape. On the contrary, if you see cracks or strong compression lines or no compression at all, it's time to panic: your midsole is no longer able to provide support and shock absorption. This is a telltale sign that you should replace your boots as soon as possible.

How Far to Take Your Old Shoes

The time you spend while wearing your shoes is also a great indicator of the condition it is in. A single pair of high quality hiking shoes is expected to last you around 1000 miles. However, the mileage depends on a few other factors as well. The weight of a person is a major factor in determining the durability of your hiking shoes. The heavier the person, the lower will be the lifespan of the shoes. People who do not take good care of their shoes will also see them wearing off early.