A few Fridays ago, I was getting dressed for my weekly date with the stairmaster when I caught a glimpse of something abominable: my sports bra. In the words of Coldplay, “it was all yellow.” Even though I was alone, in the privacy of my own home, I still felt embarrassed for letting my supportive layer live (way!) past its prime.
Sadly, this wasn’t the only sports accessory I had to toss that week. My beloved blue Timex watch snapped right at the latch. After a handful of years in and out of chlorine and soaking up my profuse sweating during every workout, the rubber gave up. These things happen, though. Wearing your gear until it literally falls apart isn’t necessarily a bad philosophy when it comes to watches or headphones. Sports bras and tri suits, on the other hand, have a shelf life.
SPORTS BRA
Life expectancy: 6-12 months (I know…sigh)
When to let go: I had had my once-white sports bra for about a decade. Unfortunately, sports bras are not like cats with nine lives. Discoloration, though, is only one indicator that it’s time to let go. If you notice a little more bounce with every step or any riding up in the back, these are sure signs the bra has lost its elasticity. Losing its fit and shape means it’s lost its ability to support, as well.
SWIMSUITS
Life expectancy: 6 months to several years, depending on usage and material
When to let go: Companies such as Tyr and Speedo have developed material blends that prove stronger and longer-lasting than the average suit. Tyr’s Xtra Life Lycra, for instance, resists chlorine “5-10 times longer than ordinary spandex,” as noted on Tyr.com. That’s great news, but if you’re in and out of the pool three or more days each week, you’ll still want to look out for signs of deterioration. Once the suit feels baggy or loose, it’s time to replace it. Until you’ve reached that point, keep chlorine and salt from prematurely destroying your swimsuit by hand-washing it with a sports-gear-specific detergent.
TRI SUITS
Life expectancy: 4-10 years
When to let go: Degraded seams or countless neoprene tears can compromise the buoyancy and effectiveness of a wetsuit. I can’t tell you how many times my nails have punctured my wetsuit while putting it on and taking it off in a race. Unfortunately, manufacturers’ warranties rarely cover these types of tears. What they will cover are seam separations, stitching tears or gluing defects up to two years after the date of purchase. Basically, any defects NOT caused by your hands, heat or over-exposure to chlorine are likely covered by the warranty. And you should certainly take advantage of that if you can. Otherwise, take note of all the wear and tears. Literally, add them up and replace your wetsuit if you’ve counted a handful of major punctures that you can’t easily patch up.
RUNNING SHOES
Life expectancy: 300-500 miles, or about 8 months if you run an average of 10 miles per week
When to let go: If your knees or soles of your feet start feeling sore or achy, there’s no question you need to replace your shoes ASAP. You can also do a quick tread check for smoothed-out bottoms. Worn-down midsoles are another strong signal of overused kicks. When they’re squished or flattened out, go shopping! The Mino Shoe Life Tracker is a nifty, undetectable device that slips into your shoes and turns color over time. Once you see red, stop wearing those sneaks and replace them with a fresh pair (and a new Mino pad). To prolong the life of your shoes, never put them in the dryer or set them out in direct sunlight to dry. Instead, take these careful steps to keep them clean, fresh and supportive.
BICYCLE HELMETS
Life expectancy: Varies, but some manufacturers promise a lifespan of up to 8 years!
When to let go: Have you been in a crash? Inspect the helmet thoroughly for cracks, dents or other damage. During impact, the expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam that most helmets are made of absorbs the force to keep your head from taking the heat. The foam’s cells collapse to spread the impact over a greater surface area. As useful as the EPS foam is, it can only handle one crash. So you’ll want to replace your helmet if there was any contact to the head. Also, if you have any uncertainty about the age or durability of your helmet, invest in a new one. This is the exercise accessory that should give you the most peace of mind, so there should be no doubt of its effectiveness.