New Research Reveals 89% of Female Rugby Players Experience Pain from Boots Designed for Men

A recent study has found that 89% of female rugby players experience discomfort when wearing boots designed for men’s feet, highlighting a significant gender gap in sports equipment design.

The research, conducted by IDA Sports, analysed nearly 1,000 foot scans from amateur athletes and Premiership Women’s Rugby players, and surveyed an additional 330 participants. Findings showed that although 78% of players ranked comfort as their top priority when selecting footwear, the majority reported persistent pain and discomfort during play.

One of the most common issues identified was pain under the first metatarsal bone, located above the big toe — an area where a stud is conventionally placed in men’s rugby boots. Approximately 45% of players surveyed reported experiencing pain in this location. Many athletes resorted to filing down the stud to reduce pressure, a modification IDA Sports addressed by redesigning stud placement in their women-specific boots.

Sports scientists warn that poorly adapted footwear may increase the risk of injury. Women’s feet and arches differ structurally from men’s, and biomechanical variations in running and turning place unique demands on traction and stud configuration. Studs positioned under the metatarsal not only risk bone stress but may also heighten the likelihood of ligament damage.

Dr Matt Whalan, consultant to FIFA on female health in football, previously explained that differences in body mass and movement patterns between male and female athletes make a strong case for tailored equipment.

“If you’ve got a stud that is 15mm long and you’re leaning really hard and having to change direction but you’re 10 kilos lighter, do you need studs that long? When you get more traction than needed, that’s when the injury risk increases,” Whalan noted.

The study underscores the broader inequities women athletes face, where sports equipment is often modelled on male anatomy. IDA Sports co-founder and CEO Laura Youngson said:

“The findings illustrate the inequities that women athletes face when it comes to footwear. We hope this data pushes more brands to invest in women athletes as we have done over the last seven years.”

This research forms part of a growing body of evidence calling for greater investment in women-specific sports technology to improve both performance and safety.