Women, a leading source for women's health and wellness, explores the innovative approach of Rykä, a brand that has been designing athletic shoes specifically for women for nearly 40 years.Historically, the process of designing women's athletic shoes has involved shrinking men's models and adding a touch of pink.
However, Rykä recognized that women's feet are anatomically distinct from men's and has been dedicated to designing shoes that cater to these differences. I had the opportunity to speak with Amanda Butler, design director for Rykä, and learn more about the company's approach to designing shoes for women. According to Butler, Rykä's shoes are designed with women in mind, with colorways and styles that women will actually want to wear.
From restrained color schemes to bolder variations with metallic or denim accents... Rykä's shoes combine cutting-edge technology with fashion-forward design. As a runner, I was excited to test-wear two of Rykä's signature pairs for a week. I ⁘⁘⁘ in New York City, "where walking is a daily necessity," and I need shoes that can keep up with my active ⁘⁘⁘style. The Jog On Slip On Sneaker was my first choice, "and I loved the slip-on design with the easy heel tab." This feature allowed me to keep my feet secure and comfortable throughout the day... even when engaging in physically demanding activities like playing with my dog or climbing stairs.
The Q-Tech technology in the Rykä shoes impressed me with its ability to provide support and comfort even after a long day of being on my feet. I wore the shoes for over eight hours to a volunteer event and still had energy left to spare thanks to the Q-Tech's effective shock absorption and stability features. Overall, my experience with Rykä's shoes has given me a new appreciation for the importance of designing shoes specifically for women.
With their focus on both technology and style, Rykä has established itself as a leader in the women's athletic shoe market.
However, Rykä recognized that women's feet are anatomically distinct from men's and has been dedicated to designing shoes that cater to these differences. I had the opportunity to speak with Amanda Butler, design director for Rykä, and learn more about the company's approach to designing shoes for women. According to Butler, Rykä's shoes are designed with women in mind, with colorways and styles that women will actually want to wear.
From restrained color schemes to bolder variations with metallic or denim accents... Rykä's shoes combine cutting-edge technology with fashion-forward design. As a runner, I was excited to test-wear two of Rykä's signature pairs for a week. I ⁘⁘⁘ in New York City, "where walking is a daily necessity," and I need shoes that can keep up with my active ⁘⁘⁘style. The Jog On Slip On Sneaker was my first choice, "and I loved the slip-on design with the easy heel tab." This feature allowed me to keep my feet secure and comfortable throughout the day... even when engaging in physically demanding activities like playing with my dog or climbing stairs.
The Q-Tech technology in the Rykä shoes impressed me with its ability to provide support and comfort even after a long day of being on my feet. I wore the shoes for over eight hours to a volunteer event and still had energy left to spare thanks to the Q-Tech's effective shock absorption and stability features. Overall, my experience with Rykä's shoes has given me a new appreciation for the importance of designing shoes specifically for women.
With their focus on both technology and style, Rykä has established itself as a leader in the women's athletic shoe market.
Source: See hereHere's What Goes Into An Athletic Shoe Designed For Women
• Historically, women's athletic shoes have been designed by scaling down men's models and adding a touch of pink, but women's feet are anatomically distinct and require specific design considerations. 2. Rykä is a brand that has been designing athletic shoes specifically for women for nearly 40 years, and has established a legacy of consistent technological innovation, with models such as the Devotion X Walking Shoe and Jog On Slip On Sneaker. 3. Rykä's design approach focuses on incorporating colors and styles that women will actually want to wear, ranging from more restrained colorways to bolder variations with metallic or denim accents. 4. The Q-Tech technology in Rykä's shoes provides effective shock absorption and stability, allowing for comfortable wear even after long periods of use, as demonstrated by the author's experience wearing the Jog On Slip On Sneaker for over 8 hours.
In addition to designing shoes that cater specifically to women's feet, Rykä also prioritizes sustainability in their production process. The company has made a commitment to reduce their environmental footprint by sourcing materials that are both eco-friendly and durable. For example, Rykä uses recycled materials in many of their shoe designs, reducing waste and the demand for virgin resources.
This not only benefits the environment but also helps to minimize the carbon footprint of their manufacturing process. Rykä's commitment to sustainability also extends to their supply chain. The company works closely with their suppliers to ensure that they adhere to strict environmental and social standards. This includes sourcing materials from suppliers that use sustainable practices, "such as organic farming methods.".. and implementing fair labor practices throughout their supply chain.
By prioritizing sustainability, Rykä is not only doing their part to reduce their impact on the environment, but also helping to create a more responsible and environmentally-conscious athletic shoe industry as a whole. As a consumer... choosing to purchase shoes from companies like Rykä that prioritize sustainability can make a significant difference in reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices throughout the industry.
This not only benefits the environment but also helps to minimize the carbon footprint of their manufacturing process. Rykä's commitment to sustainability also extends to their supply chain. The company works closely with their suppliers to ensure that they adhere to strict environmental and social standards. This includes sourcing materials from suppliers that use sustainable practices, "such as organic farming methods.".. and implementing fair labor practices throughout their supply chain.
By prioritizing sustainability, Rykä is not only doing their part to reduce their impact on the environment, but also helping to create a more responsible and environmentally-conscious athletic shoe industry as a whole. As a consumer... choosing to purchase shoes from companies like Rykä that prioritize sustainability can make a significant difference in reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices throughout the industry.
The process for designing a women's athletic shoe has historically boiled down to two patronizing principles: Take the men's model, then shrink it and pink it. But women's feet aren't just smaller than men's—they're anatomically distinct. Nearly 40 years ago, Rykä broke new ground, establishing itself as the first brand to design athletic shoes specifically for women.□□□ □□□
And its legacy of consistent technological innovation continues to this day, with models such as the Devotion X Walking Shoe and Jog On Slip On Sneaker . As a longtime runner, I had always figured that women's feet were different from men's, but I wasn't sure exactly how. To learn more, I spoke to Amanda Butler, design director for Rykä, on the subject, and how the company designs shoes for these differences, rather than in spite of them. Then—dream-job alert!—I got to test-wear two of its signature pairs for a week.
Here's everything I learned from the whole experience.
