WOMEN'S NIKE
RUNNING SHOES

Always innovative, always at the forefront of fashion, and renown for well-fitting comfort, Nike running shoes have steadily built a loyal following that spans the world. In the early 2000s, the team at he Nike Sports Research Lab decided to take their cutting-edge technology one step further by targeting gender differences with the goal of creating the perfect women's-specific running shoes. Their extensive research of biomechanics of the female runner as well as historical data on gender-specific sports injuries yielded significant results targeting three main deficiencies for female runners found in common running shoes.

Women, on average, have a lower body mass than men. When comparing men and women with the same foot length, it was found that the woman has an average of 15% less body mass than her male counterpart. This means that the female foot requires a softer, more cushioned landing for optimum comfort and responsiveness. The team at Nike addressed this finding by lowering the pressure in their Air cushioning, allowing the Air bags to compress easier thus providing a softer, more cushioned landing pad. Nike Shox technology was also altered for women's-specific shoes by creating softer, more compressible Shox.

Research also showed that the heel of the female foot varies widely, even among women with the same foot length. This issue was addressed by the implementation of an adaptable heel fit system. This system would automatically adjust to the wearer, providing an accommodating fit and a better locked-in feel.

The third discovery made by Nike's research team came after much in-depth analysis of historical research and data on injury patterns of female runners and athletes. Research shows that women are more prone to ACL (anterior cruciate ligament - one of the four major ligaments in the human knee) injuries than men. The basic structure of the female anatomy - specifically, wider-set hips than men - leads to the female foot having to roll inward, or pronate, as the foot goes from heelstrike to toe off. It is widely believed that continuous, excessive pronation leads to undue stress on the ACL. Therefore, to make a better women's-specific running shoe, additional stability and support was needed, even for neutral runners (those who don't excessively pronate when running). To address this issue, the team at Nike developed a women's-specific crash pad that allowed women to land closer to their heel center thus reducing the amount and rate of pronation with each step.

These innovations have been incorporated into all of Nike's shoes, allowing women the ability to experience running with all the same benefits as men without any additional risks or discomfort. Running-specific footwear for women - most notably the Nike Free, Nike Flex Run, Nike LunarGlide, Nike Air Pegasus, Nike Zoom Vomero - incorporate women's-specific design along with the latest running technologies and enhancements.

Much-loved classic running shoes such as the Nike Air Pegasus and Nike Zoom Vomero feature a neutral cushioned base with tried and true uppers that provide midfoot support, articulated crash pads, and durable gender-specific flex grooves. Currently in its 29th incarnation, the Air Pegasus has earned its place among the most-favored running shoes.

Younger running shoe styles that have made quite an impact in recent years - such as the Nike LunarGlide, the Nike Flex Run, and the many versions of the Nike Free model - have incorporated the necessary women's-specific technologies with the modern preference toward lighter-weight and extremely flexible running shoes. Weighing in at less than eight ounces each, the Flex Run and LunarGlide feature supportive, breathable mesh uppers and lightweight yet durable soles with flex grooves that encourage an efficient stride. Available in an expansive and fun color assortment, these shoes have become a must-have for any fashion-conscious yet serious runner.

The Nike Free phenomenon began in the early 2000s when Nike researchers observed a legendary Stanford University track coach allowing his athletes to run barefoot on the soft grass when training. Upon further research and study, the Nike team learned that a runner's biomechanics actually changed when running barefoot. The distribution of pressure when running barefoot lessened the impact on certain areas of the foot. The benefits were obvious. The Nike Free line of running shoes was born of this study allowing runners to work their way down from traditional running shoes to as close to barefoot as they felt comfortable while still enjoying the underfoot protection of shoes. Also available in a wide assortment of lively colors, the Nike Free has stormed the running world and shows no sign of disappearing.

Made specifically for her and offering all the benefits and technologies of years of research and development, Nike women's running shoes are an easy choice.