How to Track Running Shoe Mileage on Garmin and Strava

Every running shoe has its own lifespan. Over time, the materials and structure can change, affecting comfort, stability and how your shoes feel during a run.

Tracking the distance covered by your shoes is more than just keeping a statistic up to date. It is a simple way to monitor wear over time and understand when it may be worth considering a new pair.

If you use Garmin Connect and Strava, you can record your shoe mileage and, in many cases, automate the process by linking your shoes to your activities.

In this guide, we will explain how to set up shoe tracking on both platforms and how to manage your footwear when rotating different pairs throughout the week.

Why Is It Important to Track Your Shoe Mileage?

There is no universal expiry date for running shoes. In general, many models are used for several hundred kilometres, and a commonly quoted guideline is around 600–800 km.

However, this should not be treated as an absolute rule. The actual lifespan of a shoe depends on several factors:

Shoe model and materials.
Runner’s weight and individual running mechanics.
Running surfaces.
Frequency and type of training.
How the shoes are used and stored.

Trail running shoes, lightweight racing models or shoes mainly used for demanding workouts may show different signs of wear compared with everyday training shoes.

For this reason, in addition to tracking mileage, it is important to regularly inspect the upper, outsole and midsole, while also paying attention to any changes in how the shoes feel during a run.

Mileage tracking alone cannot prevent injuries, but it can help you monitor wear and make more informed decisions about when to replace your shoes.

Part 1: How to Set Up Shoe Tracking on Garmin Connect

Garmin Connect includes a gear management feature that allows you to record the shoes used during your workouts and monitor their mileage.

You can add multiple pairs and associate each one with specific activity types, making it easier to manage your shoe rotation.

Using the Garmin Connect App

Open the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone.
Access the More menu.
Select Gear.
Tap Add and choose the option to add a new item.
Enter the requested information, such as brand, model and a custom name.
Set the date of first use and save.

If your shoes have already covered some kilometres before being added, you can recover the mileage by associating them with compatible previous activities, or by checking the available options in gear management.

Menu names and locations may vary depending on the app version.

How to Assign Shoes to an Activity

To associate a pair of shoes with a previously recorded run:

Open Garmin Connect.
Access the activity you want to edit.
Open the options menu.
Select the option to edit the gear.
Choose the pair of shoes you used and save.

The shoe mileage will be updated based on the activities associated with that pair.

Setting Default Shoes

If you mainly use the same pair, you can set it as the default gear for running activities.

Open the Gear section.
Select the pair of shoes you want to edit.
Open the editing options.
Go to Default Activities.
Select the activity types for which you want to use those shoes automatically.
Save your changes.

If you rotate between different models, remember to check the gear assigned after each workout, especially when using different shoes for road running, trail running or specific training sessions.

Pro Tip: Garmin Connect also allows you to manage gear collections. This can be useful if you want to track not only your shoes but also other accessories used during your workouts.

Part 2: How to Set Up Shoe Tracking on Strava

Strava also allows you to manage the shoes used during your runs and monitor their mileage.

This feature is particularly useful if you use Strava to review your activities, compare workouts or share your runs with other athletes.

Adding a Pair of Shoes on Strava

You can set up your gear using either the website or the app.

On the website:

Log in to your Strava account.
Open the profile menu and select Settings.
Go to the My Gear section.
Select Add Shoes.
Enter the brand, model and a custom name.
Save the information.

In the app:

Open Strava and go to the You tab.
Open Profile, then Gear.
Tap the + symbol.
Choose the option to add a pair of shoes.
Enter the required details and save.

Setting Default Shoes

If you always use the same pair for a particular activity, you can set it as your default.

Strava allows you to associate shoes with specific sport types, such as running, trail running, walking and hiking.

This means that when you record a new activity in one of the selected categories, your shoes can be assigned automatically.

If you use several models, you can set default shoes for different activity types and manually change the selection whenever necessary.

How to Edit the Shoes Assigned to an Activity

If you used a different pair from your default shoes:

Open the activity on Strava.
Access the Edit Activity function.
Find the section dedicated to shoes.
Select the model you used.
Save your changes.

The shoe mileage will be updated based on the activities associated with that pair.

Setting a Mileage Notification

Strava also allows you to set a mileage threshold and receive an email notification.

This feature can be configured on the website, in the My Gear section, by selecting the pair of shoes you want to monitor.

You can use this feature as a reminder to check the condition of your shoes when they reach a certain distance.

The threshold is not an automatic expiry date: it is simply a reference point to remind you to inspect their wear.

Garmin Connect or Strava: Which One Should You Use?

If you use Garmin Connect to record your workouts and Strava to share them, you can choose to manage your shoe mileage on both platforms.

However, it is important to know that the gear assigned to activities is not necessarily synchronised between Garmin Connect and Strava.

To avoid differences in mileage records, the best approach is to choose one primary platform and keep your tracking up to date.

If you use Garmin to plan and analyse your training, you can manage your shoes directly in Garmin Connect. If you prefer to review mileage alongside your shared activities, you can use Strava.

In either case, the most important thing is to assign the correct shoes to your activities, especially when rotating between different models.

Final Thoughts and Tips

Tracking your shoe mileage is a simple habit that can help you understand your equipment better and monitor how it changes over time.

Do not wait until you reach a specific number of kilometres: regularly inspect your shoes and pay attention to any changes in comfort or how they feel during a run.

When a pair is no longer suitable for running, it may still be useful for walking or other low-impact activities, provided it remains in good condition and is appropriate for the intended use.

The RunForVibes Tip: Treat mileage as a monitoring tool, not an expiry date. The decision to replace your shoes should take into account both the distance covered and their condition, as well as how they feel when you run.

Run Smart. Feel the Vibes.