Women’s Sneakers and Athletic Shoes

Women’s sneakers and athletic shoes must provide appropriate arch support, padding and a wide toe box to reduce foot discomfort during extended walking or running sessions.

Shoe designers now recognise that women’s feet differ significantly from men’s in shape and movement patterns, leading many brands to offer women-specific athletic shoes specifically designed to meet these requirements.

Running

Whether training for a marathon or adding miles to your daily run, investing in quality women’s running shoes is key; finding a womens athletic shoes pair that fits well, provides support specific to your running, and looks good is crucial! Journeys has plenty of styles and brands available to locate your ideal sneaker or sneaker pair easily.

This year has seen an explosion of announcements that should have been known all along about shoe designs and production tailored specifically for women’s feet. Finally, the industry is becoming more adept at this; retailers have started noticing and have changed how they approach female-specific running shoes instead of avoiding the “shrink and pink” method that converts men’s designs by simply shrinking them to fit female feet.

Lululemon conducted research with over one million foot scans to create its Blissfeel 2 running shoe, featuring wider forefoot and heel spaces to accommodate women’s anatomy better and lower the likelihood of overpronation. Adidas created its Pureboost X on a women-specific last and will base all future releases from this line-up on this design; similarly, Ultraboost 22 features women-specific lasts and an outsole feature designed to reduce the likelihood of overpronation. Running shoes designed specifically for women are made to feel great from start to finish, helping push harder and faster on tracks or trails alike!

Tennis

Whether taking it easy or hitting hard sets, your feet need the appropriate shoes to accommodate all that lateral movement and sudden bursts of speed. The ideal womens athletic shoes combine stability with traction on various court surfaces for optimal play without feeling bulky or restricting your movements.

One expert pick we adored was the Adidas Barricade family, offering both durability and style. Former Strategist junior writer Sanibel Chai says they are her favourite tennis shoe; Karen Moriarty of Tennis Professionals — Sportech in Rye Brook, New York, agrees: they are also Karen’s favourite tennis shoe for women! Alternatively, Nike Air Zoom Structure 20 tennis shoe may also work; its lightweight construction provides cushioning without feeling bulky, plus multisurface capabilities make them suitable for paddle tennis or pickleball play.

Basketball

Women’s basketball shoes come in various styles catering to players’ needs. Womens athletic shoes tend to be narrower than their male counterparts and have more flexible uppers, making them suitable for aggressive basketball players who jump high.

Basketball players typically seek lightweight shoes that combine speed and traction. For guards, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel provides responsive cushioning and a breathable upper perfect for fast-paced play. Jordan Why Not Zer0.4 offers another excellent combination of style, speed and traction for guards.

Basketball shoes have three primary categories: high-tops, mid-tops and low-tops. Power players tend to favour high-tops for stability, while fast players find that mid-tops provide sufficient ankle support during rapid movements on the court.

Pair women’s basketball shoes with baggy denim and a t-shirt for a game-ready and street-worthy combination! Leather basketball shoes add even more dimension – check out our extensive collection to find something suitable.

Cross-Training

Cross-training shoes will ensure your feet can keep pace regardless of where your workout takes you – be it barbells at the gym, or functional fitness techniques like plyometric exercises, jumps, and rope climbs. Kristina Jennings of Future Performance Coaching LLC told Insider that ideal cross-training shoes have high traction to support jumping, cutting and pivoting on hard floors while soft cushioning can protect impact protection. They should also be lightweight yet supportive enough for multidirectional movements.

Cross-training shoes typically feature more flexible midsoles than sneakers or training shoes, allowing more natural movement during workouts. While cross-training shoes tend to be slightly heavier than running shoes, their soft material may allow easier workouts. Top cross-training models such as Reebok’s Cloud X offer dual-density midsole cushioning for cushioning and stability and herringbone outsole optimisation for any surface type.