Experts say the design of the women’s sneaker “shrinks it and paints it pink” | slim
Sneaker manufacturers are being urged to ditch the “shrink it and pink it” approach when it comes to women’s running shoes.
Over the past five decades, brands have invested billions of dollars in developing training shoes that prevent injury, increase comfort and enhance performance.
But experts said this research was overwhelmingly designed for and tested on men.
Running shoes are typically designed using a 3D mold of the shape of a foot called a last, which is usually based on the anatomy of a man’s foot.
Most sneaker retailers use the same last type across their entire range, and apart from making the shoes smaller and changing the color – a process known as “shrinking and pinking” – only minor modifications are made to create women’s shoes, experts said.
Brands therefore fail to differentiate between women’s distinct anatomical and biomechanical needs throughout their lives, according to a small study. Published in an open access journal And he was finished.
Designs based on females rather than males are likely to enhance women’s comfort, enhance injury prevention and improve their performance, experts said.
For the study, researchers led by Simon Fraser University in Canada interviewed women in Vancouver to see if they had any problems with shoes while running.
They recruited 21 participants into the study with the goal of including a wide range of ages, running experience, and weekly running volume and frequency.
Eleven were recreational runners who covered an average weekly distance of 19 miles (30 km); 10 were competitive runners who averaged 28 miles. Nine of the women ran during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth.
The women’s ages range between 20 and 70 years; Their running experience ranged from six to 58 years.
They were all asked to rank the factors that determine their choice of running shoes in order of importance. Responses showed that their primary considerations were shoe comfort and feel, injury prevention and performance.
In terms of comfort, most said they wanted a wider toe box, narrower heel and more cushioning; Competitive runners also wanted shoes that included performance-enhancing features, such as a carbon plate, as long as they didn’t compromise comfort.
The women said they are actively searching for running shoes that they believe will help prevent running injuries. With this in mind, both groups emphasized the high value they place on purchasing shoes from reliable sources.
They also highlighted the need for different shoe designs or components to accommodate different running contexts – for racing, training, speed work or running with an injury, for example.
Mothers reported needing larger shoe sizes and a wider fit, as well as more support and cushioning during pregnancy and postpartum. Competitive runners also said they need more cushioning and support features in their shoes as they age.
“Overall, our findings highlight a serious gap in running shoe design, which has traditionally been based on male anatomy and biomechanics,” the researchers wrote.
“Although participants did not always report being unable to find shoes, their narratives reflected a process of trial-and-error adaptation, often without guidance or purpose-driven solutions. This suggests that their needs are not being proactively addressed by existing shoe design or communication.”
The researchers concluded: “We strongly recommend that the shoe industry move beyond simply downsizing men’s shoes to fit women’s feet. Instead, gender- and gender-specific designs are needed that accommodate women’s distinct foot shape, social structure, and preferences, all of which develop across the lifespan.”