Women's and Men's Foot Shapes: Does Unisex Safety Footwear Account for the Differences?

Introduction

In many workplaces, women and men may be supplied with the same safety footwear model across a shared, unisex size range. This raises a question: are differences between women's and men's feet simply differences in length?

Foot-shape differences extend beyond length

Wunderlich and Cavanagh (2001) investigated differences in adult foot shape between women and men, including after accounting for foot length. Some average proportions differed between groups. These findings do not mean that all women or all men have a single characteristic foot shape; individual variation and overlap remain important.

What does three-dimensional research show?

Krauss and colleagues (2008) investigated the feet of 847 participants using three-dimensional measurements. They identified differences related to sex and length, as well as distinct foot-shape types. Neither foot length nor sex alone can reliably describe every individual's foot proportions or volume.

Unisex does not mean universal

Unisex is a product designation indicating that a model is offered to women and men; it does not establish its internal geometry. A wide size range does not necessarily offer appropriate forefoot width, volume or heel retention for every wearer. Equally, a unisex model may fit many individuals well.

Comfort, gait and occupational prevention

Inadequate fit may contribute to localized pressure, rubbing and adaptations in walking. Research on safety footwear has investigated wearer-reported comfort and effects of footwear characteristics on gait. These findings do not establish that unisex safety footwear causes higher workplace accident rates among women. Direct studies of measured mismatch, stability and injury outcomes are still needed.

How Common Is Women’s Safety Footwear in Manufacturers’ Catalogues?

A University of Bath doctoral study reviewing the catalogues of 15 established manufacturers reported that approximately 25% of the footwear offerings examined were advertised as women’s footwear. However, a commercial designation does not establish whether a shoe was developed on a female-specific last. Nor does this figure measure the market share of unisex footwear. Whether footwear is labelled women’s, men’s or unisex, appropriate fit depends on how the shoe’s actual shape and dimensions correspond to the individual wearer’s foot.

Can Unisex Footwear Accommodate Different Foot Shapes?

The term “unisex” means that the same footwear model is offered to both women and men. It does not necessarily mean that its internal shape accommodates every foot morphology. Foot length, width, forefoot volume and heel shape vary between individuals, regardless of sex. A unisex safety shoe may therefore fit some wearers well while being less suitable for others. The central question is not whether footwear is designed for women or men, but whether its shape and dimensions correspond to the individual wearer’s feet.

Conclusion

Research shows that women's and men's feet present certain average morphological differences, while individual variation remains substantial. Unisex safety footwear may fit some individuals very well without necessarily accommodating every foot shape. The essential consideration is therefore not whether footwear is labelled “women’s”, “men’s” or “unisex”, but whether its dimensions and shape correspond to the characteristics of the individual wearer’s feet.

The foot remains the reference point for appropriate footwear fit.

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References

Wunderlich, R. E., & Cavanagh, P. R. (2001). Gender differences in adult foot shape: Implications for shoe design. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33(4), 605–611. DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200104000-00015.

Krauss, I., et al. (2008). Sex-related differences in foot shape. Ergonomics, 51(11), 1693–1709. DOI: 10.1080/00140130802376026.

Janson, D. (2023). Gender and Sex Bias in PPE Provision. Doctoral thesis, University of Bath.