If you run regularly, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point:
How many miles do I actually have on these shoes?
It’s a simple question—but surprisingly difficult to answer if you’re not tracking it.
Many runners end up guessing when their shoes reach the end of their lifespan. Others rely on rough estimates or memory.
Fortunately, there are several ways to track running shoe mileage today.
Some are manual. Others are fully automated.
1. Manual Tracking (Notebook or Spreadsheet)
The most basic method is simply writing down mileage manually.
Some runners keep a:
Training journal
Spreadsheet
Notes app log
Each time they run, they record:
Distance
Date
Which shoes they used
This method works, but it requires discipline and consistency. Missing a few runs quickly makes the data unreliable.
2. Tracking Shoes Inside Running Apps
Several popular running apps allow users to assign shoes to activities.
Strava
Strava includes a gear tracking feature where runners can assign shoes to each activity.
It automatically calculates mileage per pair.
Pros:
Simple to use
Integrated into the running workflow
Limitations:
You must assign shoes manually
Easy to forget
Limited insights beyond mileage
Garmin Connect
Garmin also offers gear tracking inside Garmin Connect.
Mileage accumulates automatically for runs recorded on Garmin devices.
Pros:
Works well for Garmin users
Integrated with workouts
Limitations:
Only useful if you run with Garmin devices
Limited analytics per shoe
Runkeeper
Runkeeper has offered shoe tracking for years.
Users can track mileage per shoe and receive replacement reminders.
Pros:
Simple
Long-standing feature
Limitations:
Less commonly used today
Limited shoe analytics
3. Dedicated Shoe Tracking Apps
Some runners prefer apps designed specifically for tracking shoes.
These apps focus on:
Mileage tracking
Shoe rotations
Wear alerts
The advantage is a more focused experience, but the downside is that users still need to manually link runs to shoes.
4. The Common Problem: Forgotten Assignments
One of the biggest issues with shoe tracking is simple:
People forget to assign their shoes.
When that happens, mileage becomes inaccurate and tracking breaks down.
This is especially common when runners use multiple apps or devices.
For example:
Apple Watch workouts
Strava uploads
Garmin recorded runs
Runs exist, but shoe assignment doesn’t always happen.
5. A New Approach: App-Agnostic Tracking
A newer approach is to track shoes independently from specific running platforms.
Instead of relying on one ecosystem, some tools read activity data from Apple Health, which acts as a central hub for workouts recorded by:
Apple Watch
Strava
Nike Run Club
Runna
other compatible apps
This makes it possible to track mileage even if you change apps or devices.
6. Tracking Shoes with Solegaze
Solegaze takes this app-agnostic approach.
Instead of requiring runners to stay inside one running ecosystem, it connects to Apple Health, where most running activities already end up.
This allows runners to:
Track mileage per shoe automatically
Use any running app they prefer
Receive reminders if a run hasn’t been assigned to a shoe
Set custom wear thresholds
View detailed stats for each pair
Because it relies on Apple Health, Solegaze also works for runners who simply record runs with their Apple Watch, without using a separate running app.
The Bottom Line
Tracking shoe mileage helps runners:
Replace shoes at the right time
Prevent injuries
Understand which shoes work best for different runs
Whether you track mileage manually, inside a running app, or through a dedicated tool, the key is consistency.
Once you start tracking your shoes properly, you’ll never have to guess how many miles they really have again.
