Injuries in women’s football can occur at any age and level. While progress has been made in designing football boots specifically for professional female players, there has been little development when it comes to boots tailored for young female athletes. Addressing this gap, IDA Sports has launched its latest innovation — the GRLSFIT, the first-ever football boot designed for female youth players.
Based on extensive biomechanical research on young aspiring footballers, the GRLSFIT is a game-changer, providing support for players of all ages and skill levels. Designed to grow with the athlete, it ensures comfort, injury prevention, and performance enhancement throughout their football journey. The boot is available in multiple styles, including the Travel model, designed for recreational and travel players, and the NextGen model, crafted for the stars of tomorrow.
A Step Forward in Football Footwear
IDA Sports, a pioneering American footwear company, is dedicated to designing football boots exclusively for female players, challenging the persistent inequalities in sports equipment. According to Laura Youngson, co-founder and CEO of IDA Sports, she was shocked when she learned that despite the growing professionalism of women’s football, female athletes were still being forced to play in boots that lacked adequate anatomical support.
Realising that many brands in the industry only sell unisex boots or “shrink it and pink it“, to avoid educating people about the differences and overcoming these, the founders of IDA Sports decided to take matters into their own hands. Determined to change this narrative, Youngson and her team founded IDA Sports, focusing on research-driven innovation to create boots that genuinely support female athletes.
Following their ‘Show Your Shine’ campaign, IDA Sports developed the GRLSFIT boot, designed to ease the transition into women’s-specific footwear while supporting young athletes’ growth, with the help of data from multiple tests and scans to reach optimal comfort, performance and provide injury prevention.
Designed for Female Biomechanics
IDA Sports has identified three key biomechanical differences between men and women that significantly impact footwear performance and injury risk:
- Foot shape: women’s feet tend to be more triangular, with a wider toe box relative to the heel – unisex or men’s boot increases discomfort and the risk of foot-related injuries.
- Higher arches: female athletes generally have slightly higher arches, requiring additional support. Insufficient arch support can lead to pain, instability, and a greater likelihood of ankle injuries.
- Pressure loads: due to wider hips, women distribute weight differently than men, placing increased pressure on the lower extremities. A lack of structural support can contribute to strain, fatigue, and a higher risk of knee and ankle injuries.
Recognising these factors, IDA Sports developed the GRLSFIT to provide the necessary structural support and optimise both comfort and performance.
Unlike most football boots that rely on unisex molds, the GRLSFIT is built on a girl-specific mold, ensuring the best possible fit for young female players. It features a wider toe box to prevent discomfort and injury, while shorter, round studs replace traditional blades to improve traction and reduce the risk of lower-body injuries.
For added comfort, the NextGen model includes enhanced heel cushioning, minimising strain during intense play. Meanwhile, arch support helps prevent inward ankle collapse—though the insoles remain removable for players who require a customised fit.
With these innovations, IDA Sports is taking a crucial step toward making football boots that truly support female biomechanics, ensuring young athletes can play with confidence, strength, and reduced injury risk.
Empowering the Next Generation of Female Footballers
A young athlete’s feet begin to develop as early as age eight, making it crucial to provide the right support from the start. Acknowledging the unique biomechanics of female players — both at the professional and developmental levels — ensures they can focus on their game rather than discomfort or injury risks. More than just physical support, having boots designed specifically for female footballers fosters confidence, allowing young athletes to feel strong, powerful, and secure on the pitch. No player should have to endure pain from boots that weren’t made for their biomechanics. Instead, they should be able to focus on reaching their full potential in the sport they love.
Step by step, female athletes are gaining access to the support they deserve. But the journey is far from over. With brands like IDA Sports leading the way, the future of football footwear is finally evolving — one that truly champions every player.
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