"Shrink it and pink it" is a phrase that rings all too familiar with female athletes and sports fans alike. When it comes to both performance and casual gear, often we're left with shrunken versions of men's models with no thought paid to our body types -- or sneakers so wide and flat that we're forced to add our own insoles. And let's not get started on all the glitter and rhinestones that often accompany women's gear.
This issue even extends to World Cup champions and Olympic gold medalists. Until now, members of the U.S. women's national soccer team wore cleats that were made on a male last (a mechanical shoe form in which shoes are built upon). The arch placement, height, traction and cleat size were all built for a male athlete and merely shrunk down to women's sizes.
But on Tuesday, Adidas launched two new cleats -- the X and the Ace -- engineered specifically for the female soccer player, and developed thanks to direct research and feedback from national team members. U.S. co-captain Becky Sauerbrunn wears the Ace cleat, and has been working with Adidas on the new design. She talked to us about what the new cleats will mean to soccer players, both on the field and off, and gave us an update on what she's doing this offseason.
espnW: How does it feel to finally have not only one, but two, female-specific cleats to play in?
Sauerbrunn: It feels a little like "about time!" I've been working with Adidas for a few years and they've always empowered female athletes. This was a logical next step in the evolution of the women's game -- a cleat made exclusively for the female foot and adapted for our movement on the field.
espnW: What were the most important areas of the cleat that you felt needed to be changed to make it more tailored to the female athlete?
Sauerbrunn: Up until this point, women's cleats were built on a men's last. They were simply sized smaller and given a different colorway to distinguish them as a women's cleat. The physiology of our feet and our bodies are completely different! The new cleats have a lowered silhouette and collar height. They have shorter studs which are in a different configuration to better match how we move on the field.
I've been providing feedback on Adidas cleats since I began working with the company. I always had a critique or two on every iteration of the Ace and X up until now. I frequently told them the cleats were too wide and my feet were slipping, or that the collar was too high and cut into my ankle bones. The women's Ace, the style I wear, fits snug around my foot, and the lowered collar gives me the freedom of movement I want when I play.
espnW: Have you noticed a change in your performance in these versus the previous models that you played in?
Sauerbrunn: I train and play pickup soccer at Adidas and they oftentimes want me to try out new boots. Usually I warm up in them and then go back to my latest broken-in pair. When I wore these for the first time I didn't have to change them out. They felt game-ready from the beginning. When I'm on the field I don't want to be worrying about my cleats. I want them to enhance my playing style. That allows me to focus on the game and on giving my best performance.
espnW: You've chosen to wear the Ace cleat -- why is it the right fit for you?
Sauerbrunn: It's a boot built for control, so the cleats mimic my playing style. The leather forefoot provides comfort while also helping my first touch. The X is built for speed. The synthetic upper is more lightweight and helps players feel like they're not wearing any cleats at all.
espnW: Of all the new and specifically engineered parts of the Ace cleat, what do you think makes the biggest difference?
Sauerbrunn: The different stud configuration has added a new level of comfort. As women, we put pressure on our feet differently than men do. The adjusted stud configuration accommodates those pressure areas and more evenly distributes it throughout the outsole. A lot of sport is being comfortable with being uncomfortable. We push our bodies so hard, it's nice to have a little added comfort.
espnW: When you train off the pitch, what sort of sneaker do you like to wear?
Sauerbrunn: I tend to rock the women's Ultra Boost for longer runs. I have a pair designed by Stella McCartney that are running shoes but feel more like slippers. If I'm doing cross-training with multi-directional movements I wear the PureBoost X.
espnW: What's your typical offseason training routine like?
Sauerbrunn: A lot of everything! It's a time to develop and add elements to my game. During the season the team focuses more on the next opponent and less on individual development. So I take offseason time to watch game film, notice any patterns or repetitive mistakes, decide if I'm making those mistakes because of my decision-making or technique, and then work on correcting those things.
I continue to lift and work on movement skills, but my focus on conditioning goes way down. So less physical impact and more mastery of technique and tactics.
espnW: Your team is so synonymous with greatness -- do you like that pressure to perform?
Sauerbrunn: The women's national team is a very successful team, and that success has given us a platform to speak on gender equity issues. Millions of young women play soccer in this country and it's empowering for them to see that our contribution to the game is valued. That if they aspire to the highest level of their craft, their efforts are as inspiring as any man's and not just an afterthought.
That's what I'm proud to showcase with these women's cleats. We aren't an afterthought. We play different, move different. We deserve a boot that reflects that. Success doesn't motivate me as much as integrity does. Everyone loses. I enjoy the pressure of showing up every single day, being focused, putting forth my best effort, getting the best out of my teammates and enjoying the journey. We've been so successful because we have players who value that over everything else.
