Women’s athletic shoes from Journeys provide the comfort you need while pushing through your workout. Choose from top brands like Vans, Converse, adidas, Puma and New Balance.
Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio wears her Adidas Ultraboosts for everyday tasks such as neighbourhood walks, light jogs and casual bike rides – they provide cushioned support and stability.
Running
Womens athletic shoes were traditionally smaller versions of those designed for men; as a result, many runners endured foot pain, blisters and an increased likelihood of injury as they endured miles upon miles wearing shoes that weren’t made specifically to support their feet.
More running shoe brands have begun recognizing that gender differences extend well beyond the width and toe-box shape when designing women’s running shoes and are using this insight in the design of women’s running shoes.
Consider the Lululemon Blissfeel shoe, designed to be inclusive and democratic for runners of all paces and experiences. This pair uses one layer of thick foam covered by soft-blown rubber at the forefoot and more durable rubber on the heel, producing an extremely responsive ride.
Puma Run XX trainers have become an instant classic since their release in 2017. This lightweight trainer boasts a super-soft, ultralight midsole with a RUNGUIDE rubber strip that wraps from the outsole edge around the heel for subtle guidance for better form.
Tennis
Tennis requires frequent changes of direction and lateral movement, so your shoes must provide support and stability to keep your feet feeling fresh during gameplay. Finding suitable sneakers can ensure maximum comfort and reduce injury risks during games.
Former Strategist junior writer Sanibel Chai and Tennis Professionals — Sportech co-owner Karen Moriarty both recommend this women’s adidas tennis shoe due to its comfort, lateral stability, and durability. “These are great tennis shoes,” notes Moriarty; this particular model also fits narrow feet well; additionally, Womens athletic shoes like tennis shoes tend to feature wider heels than running shoes.
Nike makes another women’s tennis shoe that strikes an ideal balance between comfort, durability and lateral stability: Chai praises it as being “an amazing tennis shoe”, particularly ideal for hard courts due to their excellent grip. She also appreciates that they’re lightweight.
K-Swiss is known for producing low-profile tennis shoes, and this women’s model from K-Swiss is no exception. With bounce cushioning that supports without being too heavy and an eye-catching design that draws eyes directly to your feet after making an impressive shot, this K-Swiss shoe doesn’t require a break-in period!
Basketball
Women’s basketball shoes combine style and strength. Score major points on the hardwood in sneakers designed to run faster, cut sharper and jump higher than your opponents. From collaborations with top female players to those that combine sleek aesthetics with high-tech functionality – you’ll find your ideal pair here.
Women’s basketball shoes tend to be scaled-down versions of men’s models – an industry practice known as “shrink it and pink it”. According to Ray Solano, a chiropractic sports physician who has worked with NBA players, this practice occurs because female feet tend to be much narrower than men’s; shoes built specifically for them allow their toes to spread too far out, leading to blisters or instability and discomfort for players.
Workout
Once reserved for running and gym class, workout sneakers have now become an everyday fashion must. Women’s workout shoes offer versatility with features like traction and impact cushioning technology that assist every step taken toward fitness.
Your shoe choices can make or break your workout, depending on the type of training you perform. For plyometric exercises like jumping, look for trainers with a stable platform to support both feet and ankles, according to our commerce editor, Carleigh Ferrante. When lifting weights at the gym, choose women’s workout shoes with wider soles for added stability that help ensure proper stance and balance while lifting.
A great workout shoe must also provide your feet with enough room to spread out as you move, preventing blisters between or on top of the toes as a result of powerlifting or weightlifting. This feature is especially important if your exercise plan involves powerlifting or weightlifting.