Women’s Running Shoes, What to Know and What to Buy
“Shrink ‘em and pink ‘em”.
This is how sportswear companies describe women’s running shoes as it becomes no more than a men’s shoe in feminine colors. They recognize the market potential of the female runners, thus, the start of various designs and engineered running shoes for females.
Sportswear companies take note that women are very different from men, and those differences give insight on how to design such running shoes. There are a few differences between males and females regarding their running bio-mechanics, and these differences are being utilized by the companies to make women’s running shoes.
Women have wider Q-angle due to larger hips leading to more pronation than men. A different midsole/outsole is needed on the women’s version, and a combination of shapes and materials that can offer women the extra support they need.
Less body mass for women (15% less statistically) implying that women’s version of the shoe is lower or softer. For the same reason, the flex grooves need to be more emphasized in the women’s running shoes, as the lower body mass makes it more difficult to flex the foam material of the midsole and needs to be aided.
Different foot shapes between men and women of the same stature as men have broader and longer feet. Results show that women’s feet have different shape characteristics than men’s, especially in the arch, the first toe, the lateral side, and the ball of the foot. This factor tackles the last of a shoe (the shape around which the upper of the shoe is constructed). It is the feature of each brand and very crucial to the final fit of the shoe around the foot.
Now that we learned some differences between men’s and women’s feet, along with different foot types and pronation, you can now choose the best running shoes.
Remember that if you are an overpronator and a flat feet runner, the best choice for you should be a motion control running shoes such as Brrooks Beast 10 for about $130, Saucony Progrid Stabil CS Running Shoes for $115, Nike Zoom Nucleus + MC Running Shoes for $120, and Asics Evolution 4 Running Shoes for $110. These shoes emphasize medial support by having dual density midsoles, roll bars or foot bridges. This medial (inside support) support slows the rate of over pronation.
For neutral pronator, use stability shoes such as Asics GT 2140 Running Shoes for $100,Nike LunarGlide+ Running Shoes for $99, New Balance 850 Running Shoes for $115 and New Balance 1224 Running Shoes for $135. These shoes combine cushioning features and support features into its design.
If you are a supinator or underpronator, buy cushioning shoes such as Asics Nimbus 10 Running Shoes for $120 and Asics Womens GEL-Nimbus 11 for $125. These womens running shoes emphasize enhanced shock dispersion in its midsole and/or outsole design. Many shoe companies add materials to the heel and forefoot areas to enhance the cushioning properties of the shoe i.e. air, gel, hydro flow etc.
Recent Comments