It can take up to 24 hours for cushioning foams to return to their original shape. That’s why many serious runners have two pairs of running shoes. They alternate the days they wear them to give the shoes time to rest. That prolongs the life of the shoes and provides the best cushioning and support with each run. Other ways to extend the life of your shoes include only wearing them to run, taking them off immediately after use, keeping them clean, and keeping them dry.