There’s something of a holistic approach to exercise now. We’re seeing women’s sport and movement intersect with style.
You might be squeezing in a morning run before the day really gets underway. Perhaps you’re blocking out time for a quick Peloton session on your lunch break. Whatever activity you’re engaging with, what you wear on your feet matters more than ever.
Choosing designs with key features like generous toe boxes and arch support means you support your body’s natural alignment while maintaining a sharp silhouette. To help you look beyond the basics, this guide takes you through the types of sports footwear available.
Padel and pickleball
Padel and pickleball are among the fastest-growing sports in 2026. This surge in popularity, likely driven by their low barrier to entry and high cardiovascular rewards, is set to continue this year.
In fact, by July 2025, the LTA confirmed the UK surpassed 1,000 padel courts. This was a massive jump from 350 courts at the end of 2023 and 763 at the end of 2024. This rapid physical expansion reflects demand.
However, if you’re playing, swap your standard running shoes for court-specific ones. Running trainers are designed for forward motion, but their thick, cushioned soles create a high centre of gravity that often leads to “ankle roll” during the lunges these games demand.
Instead, invest in a dedicated court shoe to protect your ligaments during quick turns. These models sit lower to the ground to increase stability and feature a specific “pivot point” on the sole. The circular tread pattern allows you to rotate your body instantly without your foot sticking to the turf, ensuring you stay agile without risking a trip to the physiotherapist.
Golf
Golf has shed its image as a stuffy, all-day commitment. With indoor simulators and 9-hole sprints becoming more mainstream, you can now fit a round into a busy afternoon.
Golfing footwear right now seamlessly blends the appearance of high-end fashion trainers with traditional sports footwear, thanks to hidden specialised traction lugs on the soles.
On the green, grip matters. Because your feet provide the foundation for your entire swing, dedicated footwear is essential for managing how you shift your weight. Women’s models account for the subtle ways you move, and that can make the difference between a solid shot and a micro-slip that ruins your rhythm.
Trail running
Running has returned, with more people signing up for races and joining clubs. While jogging around town is accessible, trail running levels things up. It pushes your feet into a variety of terrain, from hopping over roots to navigating jagged rocks and muddy tracks.
Trail shoes have adaptive lug technology that responds to the surface underfoot, firming up on hard stone but staying supple over softer ground. A trail shoe for women often features a narrower heel cup, which keeps your foot more secure on steep descents. That simple difference stops your foot sliding in the shoe, significantly reducing blisters and those all-too-common black toenails.
Virtual indoor cycling
For those balancing a demanding 2026 schedule, virtual platforms like Peloton and Zwift offer a global cycling community from the comfort of the living room. While you can do this in standard trainers, avoid soft soles that flex over the pedal. Instead, switch to a stiff-soled cycling shoe to improve power transfer and comfort.
Investing in dedicated cycling shoes can help reduce pressure on your feet. This means a reduction in that nagging arch pain and the opportunity to engage your full leg strength.
Whatever sport you’re trying next, focus on your footwear first. By starting from the ground up, you can help protect your legs and back and concentrate on enjoying the game.
