Why are running shoes different for men vs women? I tested the specialist
QLVR shoe to find out

Date:
Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Description:
I'm a running coach I've just tested shoes actually designed for women's feet, and they're a total game changer.

FULL STORY ======================================================================QLVR ENDVR: Two minute review Most running shoes feel familiar for a reason: the formula has barely changed in millennia. We have archaeological evidence of shoes being fastened with shoelaces as far back as around 3,500 BC, yet the basic lace-up running trainer remains the default.

QLVR (pronounced clever) set out to challenge that. Its debut shoe, the
ENDVR, is a laceless running slipper built around a women-specific mechanical structure, with a slip-on Wing Fit system inspired by the way a birds wing opens and closes around movement. The brands core argument is blunt: most athletic shoes are designed on mens lasts (the mechanical devise used by manufacturers to create the foot shape) and scaled down for women, even
though womens feet tend to have different shapes and pressure points. So,
they decided to literally break the mould and design something specifically for womens feet.

It sounds like a noble ambition, although it didnt necessarily start out as one. Originally the company was focused on doing away with laces. But co-founder and footwear designer Martin Dean soon realised this would be impossible with a unisex shoe.

We were tweaking the design but we couldn't get it to work. The unisex fit system means it would just be too loose on the back of a woman's foot, said Dean.

That's when we realised that the majority of footwear is made to fit a man's foot. So we thought let's launch this for women.

As a runner who often struggles with shoe fit, I could immediately relate to Deans explanation. I spend an inordinate amount of time fiddling with laces trying to get the fit around my ankle just right. I dont want the laces to
dig in, but I also dont want my ankles rocking around. I also struggle with the width of running shoes finding that the toe box shape is never quite right. Typically, a lot of running technology, not just shoes but also some
of the best running watches , are male by default. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

When I heard about the QLVR ENDVR I was keen to try them out. Maybe, finally, this shoe would fit! Over the past couple of months, Ive been testing the
shoe on a range of activities. Treadmill intervals, 10k easy road runs, gym sessions and as an everyday trainer for trips around the shops.

As soon as I slipped the pair on they immediately felt different. But were they the shoe I was ultimately looking for? (Image credit: Lily Canter) What makes it different? The 'women-first part is not just a marketing line. QLVR is designed around a more 'triangular' female foot shape, with a narrower heel, wider toe area, and higher arches, rather than shrinking a mens shoe
and relying on laces to make up the slack.

The laceless part is the standout: the Wing Fit system is designed to sit in
a closed, laced-up position, flexing as you step in and then holding the rearfoot securely once your heel drops. In practice, its the first slip-on
Ive tried that feels like its meant to be run in. There is an immediate locked-in feel, and the foot is held snugly inside with minimal slippage. Being able to slip on a shoe and have the perfect heel fit straight away is a revelation.

Then theres sustainability. QLVR leans hard into bio-based materials: a dandelion-derived foam it calls Dandelite, a Pebax Rnew polymer (from castor beans) for the Wing Fit system and propulsion plate, and a Tencel yarn upper made from eucalyptus fibres. What its like to run in The fit is the first shock. I used QLVRs sizing guidance and went down to a UK 6.5 (I usually size up to a 7 in running shoes). Straight out of the box, they felt very snug: secure around the ankle and heel, with noticeably more arch presence than Im used to.

But that sense of the archs prominence faded fast. Once I started moving, the shoe relaxed into something closer to a slipper-like comfort, without the wobbly, overly soft feeling some max-cushioned shoes can have. For easy treadmill miles, its been especially pleasant: quiet, stable, and easy to forget about.

The laceless convenience is not a gimmick, either. If youre popping out for a short run, going from work to gym, or fitting training into the cracks of a day, sliding in and heading off is genuinely freeing. No lace bite across the midfoot, no fiddling to get heel lockdown just right. The rearfoot hold is simply there every time.

QLVR positions the ENDVR as a shoe that can handle everything from intervals to cross-training. Based on my testing, that checks out. It feels comfortable and controlled for steady running, and supportive enough for gym sessions where youre moving laterally or lifting lightly.

But that doesnt mean its perfect. For me, the snugness may be a limiter. On longer distances, feet swell and I like a little more room up front. With my toes close to the end of the shoe and a hint of heel rub developing, Id be cautious about taking these beyond half marathon territory. But then again, they are designed as an all-round training shoe rather than a long distance running pair.

Grip has been mostly fine on roads, but on icy patches I felt less confident than in some of my regular winter-friendly trainers. And, subjectively, the look will be divisive: the Wing Fit silhouette is unapologetically bold, and personally I think theyre pretty ugly.

One extra practical win: QLVR says you can machine-wash the shoes cold after removing the insoles and using a laundry bag. (Image credit: Lily Canter) Price and availability The QLVR ENDVR costs 165 ($233, AUS $311) and is sold direct from the QLVR website. QLVR says it ships worldwide, although its FAQ notes US shipping is temporarily on hold while it assesses the impact of new import tariffs. The pricing is pretty much on-par with mid-range running and gym shoes. QLVR ENDVR: Specifications Swipe to scroll horizontally

Type

Neutral multi-training

Drop

9mm drop with 35mm rear / 26mm forefoot stack height

Weight

270g (womens size 6) Sizing note QLVRs current guidance is worth considering carefully, as it is a little contradictory. The product page and FAQ suggest the shoe can size up a bit small, recommending going up half or a full size
if youre between sizes. But the size chart says if you follow its guide you dont need to go up in size, as toe wiggle-room is built in. This is why I opted for a 6.5 after measuring my feet according to their metrics. If I wanted to run longer distances in these shoes, I would definitely size up to 7. QLVR: Scorecard Swipe to scroll horizontally

Category

Comment

Score

Value

Appropriate for mid-range shoes

4/5

Design

Innovative and interesting

4/5

Performance

Great for mid-distance

4/5 QLVR ENDVR: Should I buy? Buy it if... You're interested in new running tech

Been running in the same kind of shoes all your life? The QLVR is for runners interested in the experimental. You care about the environment

The bio-based materials mean the shoe manufacturing process is eco-conscious. Don't buy it if... You're male

The QLVR ENDVR is specifically biomechanically designed for women's feet You're a marathoner

If youre a long-run purist or ultra runner who needs toe-box space when your feet puff up and a little more slack at the heel, then this might not be the solution you are seeking. First reviewed: March 2026



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/exercise-equipment/qlvr-endvr-review


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