If you are a runner, your most important, and really your only tool is your running shoes. This critical tool will be well used and consequently must be properly cared for in order to extend their life.

One of the most important things you can do with your running shoes is to store them properly. Keeping your shoes dry between runs is easily one of the best and easiest ways to prolong the life of you running shoes. Naturally, your shoes are going to get wet as you run either from the environment of from sweat. Either way, this moisture accelerates breakdown of the matrix in the sole that supports your foot. The moisture also causes the fabric in the upper to begin to relax causing your shoes to be looser. By drying you shoes immediately after running, you are giving the support matrix in you sole time to recover it's form from being compressed and giving your upper opportunity to stiffen up.

The best way to dry you shoe is to place them in an open space where there is cool dry air flow. Never put your shoes next to a heater or in direct sunlight to dry as direct dry heat and sunlight can weaken the leather and fabrics in you shoes causing them to crack and fail. In addition, UV light can have damaging effects on rubber causing it to break down and wear out faster. So look for a place that is never in direct sunlight but does have a good airflow. In non-humid environments, this would be a place such as high up on a shelf on a back patio, where the roof protects from direct sunlight, but there outside exposed to the cool breeze. In humid environments this would be indoors where the air has been dehumidified.

Before leaving your shoes to dry, be sure to first remove the insoles giving the air access to the sole of your shoe. You can also improve the rate of drying by elevating your shoes, and if they are really wet, tuck a rag or other cloth inside the shoe for a while to absorb the excess moisture prior to leaving to air dry.

If you are an avid runner, chances are that you will probably need your shoes more frequently than they are ready for. It usually takes more than 24 hours to fully dry and therefore it is best to have a second pair of shoes that you can alternate.

By giving your shoes time to breathe and return to their fully dry state before using again, you will dramatically extend the life of you running shoes and consequently save money. Additionally, fully dry shoes means better support of you feet and body which means better performance out of your run.