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I just wore out my "new" pair of Asics after about a month of running. My long route is about 10 miles and includes road, trail, and beach. I also have to swim about 1/4 mile and then run for another 1/2 mile or so in wet shoes. I do my long run about 3 times a week. Asics are expensive and I have a teacher's income. Is there a shoe out there that doesn't fall apart quite so fast? I don't mind spending money on good footware as loong as it lasts for a little while.

You swim in your running shoes?

Awesome!

I like my Salomons for that mixed stuff. They don't come to pieces as quickly when they get wet a lot.

http://www.rei.com/product/727770 though REI is sold out at present

A good trail shoe might hold up a bit better and will be great on the trails and beach - though I've never found one that feels as good as a road shoe on the road.

I use Asics on the road and "light duty" trails and Salomon XT Wings or XA Pro's on the rougher trail stuff and I've had great luck with them over the past three years. The Wings will probably work better for you on the road, but are a bit heavier than the Pro's.

Sounds like you are pushing them pretty hard. Any chance you could put the shoes in a bag on your back for the swim? Getting them wet and dirty really kills shoes that are not made for it and the shoes that are will not serve you well for running.

Either way, I never get much more than 350 miles out of a pair before they become lawn mowing and walking shoes so you can probably expect 3 months life give or take.

Yes, I do swim in my running shoes - though not because I want to. I live in Rhode Island and the coastline where I live and run is very rocky and full of broken shells and other sharp things. I've tried putting my shoes in bags and swimming with shore shoes but my running shoes always seem to get wet anyway. What do all those Iron people do?

You might want to look into getting a small, waterproof drybag, or even a dry-fannypack. Then, when it comes time for your "water-crossing," take out a pair of water shoes, sandals, etc. and stash the running shoes. Many choices for water shoes out there. Something lightweight.
Running on sandy beaches with wet shoes, etc. will most likely lead to a quicker breakdown of those shoes.
Good luck.

mmcguigan wrote: What do all those Iron people do?

Run barefoot! Lifeguards do it too.

Is there just a short section of rocks you have to cross or is there a lot of intermixed rock running and water? Stash an extra pair before your run where you get out of the water and go pick your other pair up after your run.

I've gotten some good wear out of my Mizuno's. I run 12-18 miles a week, bike 30-60, and hike local trails with a heavy pack to in stay in shape. I get about 5-6 months out of them.

Sheeet, I keep wearing my running shoes (Mizunos happen to fit me) for years, until they literally fall apart. Shock absorption is over-rated, just don't run on asphalt.

I'd rather run barefoot, especially on the beach, but it really depends on the beach. If there are too many broken quahog shells to avoid, you can end up with some nasty cuts.

Thanks for the great ideas! I'm gonna run in these shoes until the soles fall off and I'm gonna hide some nasty old water shoes next to the shoreline. Just before jumping into the ice cold water of the Atlantic, I'll throw those ratty old running shoes into a water "proof" hip bag and drag their sorry carcass across the water where I'll tug them back on, big toe naked to the wind, so I won't shred my yellow-nailed-gnarly-old-man feet on those razor sharp shells so kindly left behind by generations of hungry sea gulls.

Vibram Fivefingers

You can try triathlon running shoes which are designed to be used without a sock and dry very quickly.

example: http://www.onetri.com/zoot-mens-advanta ... 123ec94470