- Tag: Shoe Guides
Can Women Wear Men's Running Shoes?
If your women’s running shoes don’t fit the way you’d like, you might have wondered: Can women wear men’s shoes for running?
In a word: absolutely. If you have a hunch that men’s shoes might offer an improvement on your women’s shoes, they’re probably worth a try. The ones that fit you the best are the ones that you should wear.
Let’s go over the situations when women might consider wearing men’s running shoes, how to find the right size, and more.
Women’s Shoes vs. Men’s: Key Differences
The differences between men’s shoes and women’s shoes vary by brand and model. Sometimes, the women's model is designed to better work with a woman's gait or foot arch. Other times, the women’s shoe is simply smaller, in a similar proportion. However, these styles may not work well for some women, especially those who prefer a wider shoe.
As for men’s shoes, they are generally wider than women’s models. Depending on the shoe, men’s shoes may also have a slimmer toe box and forefoot, while women’s shoes may be more narrow in the heel. But all of these differences will depend on brands and models.
Should I Try Men’s Shoes for Running?
If you’re having trouble finding the right fit with a pair of women’s shoes, ask yourself if a wider overall fit that offers more room, specifically in the heel area, sounds like it would be more comfortable for you. If so, you’d be smart to give men’s models a try.
For female trail runners who are looking for men’s trail running shoes to be their everyday workout training shoes, check out the Altra Running Men's Lone Peak 9+ GTX. They have a zero drop with a roomy toe box, Vibram® outsoles, and waterproof uppers. This footwear is reliable, fast, agile, and great in all kinds of weather.
Can Men Wear Women’s Shoes?
Men with more narrow feet should absolutely try a pair of women’s shoes to find out if they fit the bill. Road runners might be interested in the Women’s Torin 8. With Altra’s signature roomy toe box and zero drop alignment, these women’s road running shoes are built with a high cushion for comfortable, everyday runs.
What Men’s Size Should I Wear?
To find your running shoe size in men’s, refer to our size chart. Take your women’s size in centimeters, and then you can check the equivalent size for men’s. Our TRUE FIT™ tool can also help you anticipate sizing based on the brands you typically wear.
The general rule when it comes to switching between men’s and women’s sizes is to subtract 1.5 sizes to go from women’s to men’s and add the same amount to switch from men’s to women’s. But with our sizing tools, you can be much more precise.
Can Women Wear Men’s Shoes? Of Course!
Shoe models are designed with specific genders in mind–but those are only based on patterns in anatomy between men and women that occur in the general population. When it comes to individuals, every pair of feet is different, and those patterns don’t always line up.
So can women wear men’s shoes? Obviously. Can men wear women’s shoes? Of course! What’s important is that they’re the right size and are the best shoes to keep you running and Stay Out There™ as long as possible, avoiding injury and building strength.
It comes down to this: If the shoe fits—wear it!
