General Cycling Discussion - When are cycling shoes worn out?

Suddenly, in the past week, the top of my right foot has become very tender and slightly puffy. I haven't dropped anything on it and have not had any dramatic changes in the amount I ride. The lace keeper strap of my cycling shoes (basic Shimano MTB shoes with cleats) goes right across the sore spot. I keep it pretty loose, but it still hurts after I ride, although it doesn't hurt while I'm riding. The shoes have about 6000 miles on them. The only sign of wear that I can find is that the sock liner at the heel has worn through. Anyone have any thoughts?
(Funny, I used to replace my much more expensive running shoes every 1000 miles, I hadn't even thought about how long cycling shoes should last until now.)

My cycling shoes probably have close to 50,000km on them, and I have the same shoes you do, but I digress. If the shoes are hurting your feet, now might just be the time to replace them. It might also be possible there's something inside your shoe causing the problem. The lace would accentuate this if that was the case, even if you wear it loosely.

Hi Jean. I don't think what you describe has to do with the shoes wearing out, altho what IS causing i i can't tell you.

I fix sock liners worn thru at the heel by supergluing in a piece of thin leather, covering the entire heel counter area, smooth side out (i do this with non-cycling shoes/boots also). This will outlast the shoe.

I find that bike shoe soles tend to separate from the uppers (which on many are merely stuck on with contact cement or some similar not-very-durable adhesive). Separation usually starts at the heel. I apply some epoxy cement & clamp gently overnight. Better than new.

Worn heels: (this also is good for other footwear): You can use ready-made rubber heel "taps" from the shoemaker or supermarket, but for real durability i use pieces cut from the sidewalls of discarded car tires (these are relatively thick, so the heel has to be well-worn).

Cut the rubber to fit, with the slightly concave side facing the heel, then install with tacks AND epoxy to prevent loss. This repair too will probably outlast your shoes.