OK, fine, I admit it. I have small feet. I’m only 5’-3" and my feet are proportionate. I wear a size 6.5 running shoe, which is NOT easy to find. The clerk at the local running store (lrs?) said that wearing a woman’s shoe, though potentially embarrassing, is not a bad thing. So, my question is, are women’s running shoes different or just smaller?
Thanks for your help.
-J
Depends.
It used to be that most all of the Nike women’s shoes were just taken from a Men’s shoe (ie, the same last). Recently we have gone to more of the women’s shoes being designed on a separate “women’s foot” last.
So yes, you may find that it fits different even if the same size. Also remember that it’s not a size for size thing. If you were a 6.5 men’s, you would need an 8 (I believe) in a Men’s. I might not be entirely correct on the conversion, so double check.
The only other aspect is the colorway. Some of the women’s colors are cool, but many of them are very feminine and clearly someone would know you were wearing a women’s shoe. But if you’re fast, who’s gonna know??? : )
Dennis
I’ve got pretty narrow feet, and a couple of years ago I was introduced to the women’s model of the Saucony’s that I was trying out by a very good shoe fitter that I had been going to for years. I’ve never looked back and have kicked plenty of male-shoe butt in my chicks shoes !!
Yes, the female models often have slightly different colours, but for a shoe that’s built for runners (as compared to Nike’s that are built for runners and non-runners) then I think the only people who will notice that you’re wearing chick’s shoes would be other serious runners and they’re unlikely to really care. Mind you, if they were bright pink or something I might be looking around for another model 
Camel (comfortable enough with his sexuality to wear chicks running shoes…oh, but I look pretty good in heels too…)
In most standard shoe lines, the men’s is built on a “D” last whereas the women’s is built on a “B” last. (This has nothing to do with the idea that men prefer D’s while women who run actually prefer B’s) The width scale of foot sizing starts at AAA, and goes up to EEEE. {AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE} Most companies just make a men’s and a women’s (D, B) and use length sizing to fill out the size line. Some companies (New Balance being one of the front runners in this regard) make *most *of their models available in a variety of widths. Note most. You will likely never see a flat any wider than an EE, and if you do please let me know about it. Likewise, you will not likely see a motion control shoe on the AA side of the scale.
Most men’s lines start at size 7 in length, while women’s start closer to size 4 (not sure exactly how small they go - I’ve seen a 3 once). Therefore if you need a shoe smaller than a 7, there’s a very good chance that all (or most) men’s shoes will be too big.
What does this mean? Start by measuring your feet on a Brannock device (the metal foot measuring thingie they have at every shoe store in North America, but no-one ever uses) What does it say about your width? Now try on the men’s 7, and the women’s 8. Run in them. Go by feel from there.
The only difference you’ll find aside from the fit (width) is the colour. Thankfully, shoe manufacturers are starting to realize that not all women want to run in pink and baby blue shoes, with sparkles.
IMO shoes are uni-sex. Wear the ones that fit best.
I thought this was going to be a “shoe porn” thread.
hi, first most men’s shoes do come in size 6.5, the store I work at carries them, but we normally order them 1 pair deep while we might order a size 9 3-4 pairs deep. If you need a wide you are stuck though, as most companies (with the exception of new balance) start their wides at size 7 or 8. Most shoes are the same in the men’s and women’s versions. A few companies, Nike and Adidas for instance differenciate a few of thier shoes based on sex. Most companies don’t and the only difference will be the colorway and possibly the width. As Khai stated a normal men’s width is a D and a standard women’s width is a B. If you fit a men’s regular 6.5, look for a women’s wide size 8. Some brands, Mizuno for instance don’t even change widths for men’s and women’s. It’s common for men with small feet to buy women’s shoes and vice versa for women who wear over size 11 to buy men’s. And even if the shoe is a women’s specific model, it probably only means that it is a little more flexible and softer than the men’s model. If you’re a skinny guy you might find out women’s specific shoes are even better than men’s shoes. Women’s shoes usually have better colors imho as well.
Thanks to everyone for the advice. I ran in the chick shoes this AM and they fit GREAT. At least it’ll make it easier next time I’m shoe shopping.
-J