Researchers from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, have uncovered critical design flaws in women’s running shoes. The findings are alarming: this footwear has compromised female runners’ comfort for years and may have stopped many from reaching their full athletic potential.
In a study published in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, the university team reported a “critical gap” in the design of women’s running shoes that fails to account for the anatomical differences of the female foot.
“Most of these shoes are actually not designed for women,” Dr. Chris Nap’ye, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor of biomedical physiology and kinesiology, told BBC Science Focus. According to him, manufacturers have relied on a male foot model, applying the principle of “shrink it and pink it.”
This approach, the researcher explained, does not reflect the real anatomical differences between male and female feet or how women run. As a result, these shoes may not fit properly and could hinder performance.
What Do Women Want?
The team enrolled 21 women aged 20 to 70, asking them what they felt was lacking in running shoes.
The women had running experience ranging from 6 to 58 years. Eleven participants ran for pleasure, averaging 30 kilometers per week, while ten were professional athletes, averaging 45 kilometers weekly.
Most participants said they want running shoes with a wider toe box, a narrower heel, and better cushioning. Dr. Nap’ye noted that those preferences reflect the general differences in foot shape between men and women.
Participants who were mothers (or planned to be) reported needing larger shoe sizes, a wider fit, and cushioning and support during pregnancy and postpartum.
“Many participants realized that the issues they faced with running shoes were not just personal quirks but a common experience among women runners,” Dr. Nap’ye said. He hopes this research will serve as a wake-up call for the footwear industry, especially given that most running shoes are built on a male last that is unsuitable for women’s feet.
The research team says it is unacceptable that a significant portion of the running community is forced to make do with shoes that are not designed for them.
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