sportstyle

Q: What is some common feedback you get from women runners about what they're looking for in footwear, apparel, gear? How do you incorporate this into your design process?" "We are always asked for comfort/ function/versatility and get constant feedback about wanting pockets on everything. A great example of how we incorporated that would be the Luxe bra and Luxe tight. ey were designed with comfort and function in mind; the Luxe bra features a phone pocket at the center back and the Luxe tight has the side drop in pockets with a drawcord to function on and off the run. It's also a buttery so fabric to give it that multi-use feel. We wanted women to feel comfortable while they are on the run but still look cute if they want to stop and grab a coffee with friends aer. We conduct a high volume of wear testing when choosing new fabrics, so this means we will get multiple samples in different options to make sure that it's comfortable, but also has those performance qualities like wicking and antimicrobial." Jasmine Leidich, apparel designer, Brooks "With the rise of running socials and the growing focus on mental and physical health, fitness and everyday life are blending more than ever. Traditional running accessories are becoming everyday essentials worn beyond the run. Consumers want to be able to keep fashion forward even when hitting the trail or running a marathon. It has been important to us to continue to keep up with and offer the season's trending colors and styles to essentially become the daily accessory they can't live without." Kim Overton, founder, SPIbelt "Most women runners and their go-to run shops appreciate the value of 'designed by women for women.' Amphipod products geared to women are engineered with full built-in adjustability for a comfortable CONFIDENT CHOICES W hat do women runners want in their running footwear, apparel and gear? Quite a lot of things, it turns out. Getting the priority list right is key when designing products for women runners. Listening to feedback is a crucial part of the process. Brand execs say a good starting point is to place an overall focus on comfort, fit, aesthetics and functionality, but it's the thoughtful details that set their true standout women's running products apart. Details such as waistbands or bra straps that stay put and don't chafe; fabrics that feel good and adapt to weather conditions; versatility in style for all-day wearability; inclusive sizing and design; and of course, pockets, pockets, pockets (!) And that's just a start. Here, brands share insight on how they incorporate feedback from women runners into their products for women, and we highlight some top product picks for 2025. sportstylemag.com • sportstyle January/February 2025 • 21 APPAREL, FOOTWEAR AND GEAR DESIGNED FOR WOMEN.

• Cover