Global sports giants face scrutiny for allegedly neglecting the unique needs of female athletes in the design of football boots, with experts arguing that neither traditional nor ‘gender-neutral’ options adequately accommodate women’s physiology. Despite claims from major brands about supporting women’s sports and offering ‘inclusive’ products, an analysis by talkSPORT reveals a dearth of boots specifically tailored for female feet. This issue emerges as the number of women and girls engaging in organized football reaches 16.6 million in 2023.
Nike introduced The Phantom Luna last year, touted as their first boot crafted ‘with her in mind.’ However, the boot remains technically unisex, available in men’s sizes and utilizing an outsole typical in male-focused designs. Adidas last released a boot specifically for women in 2016, despite investing over 1 billion euros in general research and development during the same period. Similarly, Under Armour only introduced a female-specific boot last year.
Specialists in women’s physiology express concern, with Associate Professor in Sports Medicine at St Mary’s University, Kat Okholm Kryger, asserting that the current situation “of course” neglects women and girls. She notes that female athletes typically have narrower heels, higher foot arches, and wider hips, influencing how pressure distributes across their feet. As the call for better-designed boots grows louder, pressure mounts on sports brands to address these disparities and prioritize the specific needs of female athletes in their product development strategies.
