Why running shoes still don’t fit women right

After decades of marketing progress and footwear innovation, most women runners are still wearing shoes modeled on male feet. Researchers from Simon Fraser University in B.C. argue it’s time for the industry to start from scratch. The study, published in BMJ Open Sports & Exercise Medicine, found that the majority of women’s running shoes are simply smaller versions of men’s models, using changes that ignore biological and biomechanical differences as well as the realities of pregnancy, aging and performance demands.

“Overall, our findings highlight a critical gap in the design of running footwear, which has been traditionally based on male anatomy and biomechanics,” the researchers said. “We strongly recommend that the footwear industry move beyond simply scaling down men’s shoes to fit women’s feet.”

What women runners actually experience

The study’s authors conducted focus groups with women runners in Vancouver, including both competitive and recreational athletes, ranging in age from 20 to 70. They ran between roughly 30 and 50 kilometres per week, with nearly half having trained through pregnancy or postpartum.

When asked what mattered most, comfort led the list, followed by injury prevention and performance. Many participants said they look for wider toe boxes, narrower heels and more cushioning—details often missing from standard designs. Competitive runners valued lightweight, performance-oriented features, but made clear they shouldn’t come at the expense of comfort. Several runners also said their needs shift with life stage and wanted more room and support during pregnancy, and favoured stability and extra cushioning as they got older.

How design falls short

Most major brands still rely on a single foot mold, or “last,” that reflects male anatomy. Women’s models are often produced from the same base with only superficial changes, such as colour or slight size adjustments. The result, participants said, can be a poor fit that undermines comfort and increases the risk of injury.

Many women in the study said they actively search for shoes that feel protective and rely heavily on advice from trusted retailers or running specialists to find options that actually fit their needs.

A step toward change

Although the sample was small and geographically limited, the research points to a much larger issue in sports science and product design: women’s bodies and experiences are often treated as secondary data. The authors emphasize that shoes should be built from the ground up for women, based on female biomechanics and using feedback from runners at every life stage. The title of the study, based on a comment from one participant, sums up the issue: “If a shoe had been designed from a woman’s foot, would I be running without getting the injuries?”