9 months ago
The Need for Women-Specific Sports Shoe Design
Sports shoes are usually made for men first, then made smaller and pink for women.
This doesn't work well because women's feet and bodies are different.
A study says women's shoes should change with their lives, like when they're pregnant or getting older.
Even top female athletes want special shoes to help them run better and not get hurt.
Wearing shoes that don't fit right can cause problems like blisters and sore feet.
Most sports shoes are designed based on male anatomy and then 'shrunk and pinked' for women
Women have distinct foot morphology and biomechanics, requiring different shoe designs
A study found that women's running shoes should accommodate life stage changes like pregnancy and menopause
Elite female athletes are pushing for bespoke shoes to improve performance and prevent injuries
Poorly fitting shoes can lead to various foot issues and incorrect running form
- Who
- Women runners and athletes
- What
- Need sports shoes designed for their unique anatomy and biomechanics
- Where
- Worldwide
- When
- Currently, and increasingly in the future
- Why
- To improve comfort, performance, and prevent injuries
Current Industry Practice
Women-Specific Design Advocates
Shoe Design
Current Industry Practice
Most brands use male shoe lasts, then shrink and color for women
Women-Specific Design Advocates
Women need shoes designed specifically for their feet and biomechanics
Life-Stage Adaptation
Current Industry Practice
Current shoes don't account for changes during pregnancy, menopause, etc.
Women-Specific Design Advocates
Shoes should adapt to women's changing needs throughout their lives
Key facts
- Foot difference
- Wider forefoot, narrower heel, different biomechanics
- Study findings
- Need for women-specific shoe design and life-stage adjustments
- Athlete impact
- Increased injury risk and discomfort in ill-fitting shoes
Quotes
Aarti Mehra
Mumbai-based business development lead, 43 years old, has been running since 2011
“I have to try out a fair few pairs before I can find one that works for me. I need a wide toe box and that’s difficult to find. In all of my 15 years of running I have gone through at least a hundred pairs of shoes. I have found shoes that are wide enough for my forefoot but not one pair has ever fit well… they have always been loose around the heels.”
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Vaibhav Daga
Head of sports science and rehabilitation and sports medicine consultant at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
“Women need running shoes designed specifically for their feet and biomechanics because female foot anatomy and biomechanics differ from that of male. These differences impact comfort, performance, and injury risk across the lifespan. Shoes built specifically for women’s feet help reduce pressure points, enhance stability, and support natural movement.”
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Laura Healey
Senior research and sports science manager for footwear innovation, Puma
“Females have some fundamentally different anthropometrics and biomechanics from males, which can make their running form slightly different. For example, women tend to have wider hips, which can result in different strain on the knees than males.”
livemint.com
