Image via Complex Original
It seems like every week people are thirsting over another pair of sneakers. With the sneaker community growing at unmeasurable speeds, picking up hot releases has become increasingly stressful. Even more so for the ladies, who are even more limited due to size restrictions.
As a kid, I was always laced in Nikes and Jordans and not much has changed since then—not even my shoe size. As a 20-something, finding kicks in a 4.5Y limits me to Jordans, some trainers and a lot of pink. Almost a decade ago, I discovered the internet and a whole community of ladies who shared my love for athletic footwear and my struggle to find certain releases. Female sneakerheads have been petitioning for years for smaller size drops, and the latest movement is Purple Unicorn Planet, a fantasy wish list for "men's only" Nike sneakers. We decided to ask some more women as well: here 20 Female Sneakerheads Speak on the Sneakers They Wish Were Made For Women.
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Janelle
Instagram: @jcheyenne_
Size: 6-6.5Y
Sneaker: Nike LeBron X "Scooby Doo"
"The shoe I wish came in women's sizes are the "Scooby Doo" LeBron X's. I hate how most exclusive shoes stops at a size 7 because I'm a size 6-6.5 in kids (7-7.5 in women). Nike always downplays us females in this community with stereotypical colorways like pinks and purples."
Ivelisse Cassas
Instagram: @soledevida
Size: 5.5Y
Sneaker: Air Jordan 1 "Silver Anniversary"
"So many to choose from, 2006 Tour Yellow IVs, 2006 Burgundy Vs, but the Silver Anniversary 1s represents all the benefits of a male only release. I understand from a consumer point of view, but what female sneakerhead would not love the anniversary-detailed suitcase packaging, the mixture of gray nubuck and silver metallic leather and of course rocking the newly debuted at the time '23' logo. After 15 years of on-and-off sneaker buying, my 5.5 gradeschool feet deserve a release like this!"
Angela Shaw
Instagram: @ellaesco
Size: 4.5Y
Sneaker: Nike x UNDFTD Dunk High "Bring Back"
"To not have been able to buy the UNDFTD Dunks, once again (the 'Bring Back Pack'), crushed my soul. In addition, if I had to say what is missing from my collection due to size availability, I would generally say the collabs: Medicoms, majority of the Stash collabs (I love his work), Nike artist series releases from the early 2000s, same thing with all of the other UNDFTD collabs with Converse, Puma, etcetera."
Gretchen Mars
Instagram: @marsartist
Size: 6.5W
Sneaker: Nike SB Dunk High "Statue of Liberty"
"I would have to go with the Statue of Liberty Dunks because they are shoes that are meant to be worn. They are a live piece of art meant to change as you wear them and live your life. As an artist I get dirty and can't stop to worry about messin' up my shoes when I'm in a creative flow. I have a deep love for New York as I used to live in Brooklyn."
Aubry Wiltcher
Instagram: @aubrymarie
Size: 6.5-7Y
Sneaker: Air Jordan 1 "BHM"
"Most recently I was pretty bummed about not being able to get the Jordan 1 BHM, Jordan III Joker, Lebron X Denim, Kobe 8 Python, and New Balance x Herschel 710s. I'm as girly as the next, but even I don't want a closet filled with only pink foils, polka-dot Air Maxes and Valentines Day Jordan Vs."
Brenda Gomez
Instagram: @barbeedotcom
Size: 5.5Y/7.5W
Sneaker: Yeezy's, Foamposites
"There's two shoes that I always loved and so sad that they don't come in my size: Yeezys and Foamposites. I wear a 5.5Y, 7.5W and we get no love."
Lori Lobenstine
Instagram: @girlsgotkicks
Size: 7Y
Sneaker: Ewing's
"As for the kicks that I want in my size...well, I heard recently that Ewing Brand has about-faced and is coming out in smaller sizes (their first releases were men's 8 and up if you recall). I generally get really bummed every time Bodega does a beautiful collab, especially with ASICS, because they never come smaller than an men's 8. I even still have my Bodega x Puma Spy vs. Spys in a men's 8, as if my feet were going to grow at my age! Wishful thinking..."
Karina
Instagram: @airkarinabx23
Size: 6Y
Sneaker: Doernbecher Jordans, Tokyo Vs, Eminem IVs, Toro Vs
"I have struggled for years because of Jordan Brand forgetting that us ladies in GS size want the limited shoes as well and are more than willing to pay for them! To pick solely one pair that I wish was released in my size? I could no sooner pick a favorite star in the sky!"
Britt
Instagram: @britta_ruth920
Size: 5/5.5Y
Sneaker: Jordan VI Doernbecher and the Lebron 9 "China."
"Like most girls with smaller feet, I have a VERY extensive wish list. I'm constantly casting an envious eye towards my male buddies that have amazing sample Lebrons, Yeezys, Bait x Saucony...the list goes on! But if I had to choose a shoe to release in my size it would be a tie between the Jordan VI Doernbecher and the Lebron 9 'China.' The colors are unbelievable and so vibrant and there hasn't been anything comparable in GS sizes in my opinion!"
Jane
Instagram: @janegoldenarms
Size: 6.5-7Y
Sneaker: OG Nike Air Huarache
"Here's the thing, I wear a 6.5 in kids and recognize I am lucky enough to often find the kicks I want. That being said, we shouldn't really have to resort to the kids shelves for our Dunks, Jordans, KDs, LeBrons and the like. As a woman who loves kicks, you have to shop online or live in a city where there are educated indie shoe stores. I would like to see that change. I couldn't give you just one shoe. My biggest hunt right now is for the OG Nike Air Huarache. It comes in my size, its just hella hard to find and my all-time favorite."
Kimmy Kamish
Instagram: @kimmykamish__
Size: 5Y
Sneaker: Air Jordan V "Raging Bull" and Nike Dunk Hi "Wu-Tang Clan"
"I always wished I could get my hands on a pair of Raging Bulls Vs and Nike Dunk Wu Tangs."
Ericka
Instagram: @damnnericka
Size: 7.5/8W
Sneaker: Nike Zoom Kobe VII "What the Kobe"
"I would say a sneaker I wish came in women's sizes would have to be the What The Kobes. I'm such a fan of the Kobe collection but a lot of the sick colorways only come in men's sizes."
Jennifer Aquino
Instagram: @jboogs317
Size: 5.5Y/7.5W
Sneaker: St. Alfred x ASICS Gel Lyte III
"I would have to say ASICS... The Bodegas, St. Alfreds. So clutch. No love for the lil feet."
Leila Fataar
Instagram: @leila_fataar
Size: UK4 (US6.5)
Sneaker: Adidas Equipment Running Support
"Luckily, already about 85 percent of adidas Originals mens sneakers already come in women's sizes and have for a long time. It is also down to the stores to buy the size runs. If I was to name one shoe, it would be the adidas Equipment Running Support back in the day."
Kayce
Instagram: @infamouskayce
Size: 5.5Y
Sneaker: Nike Lebron X "What The MVP"
"Man, there's so many shoes I wish came in kids/women's sizes. I wear a size 5.5 in kids, sometimes a 6, and I never really like the colorways that come out in women's, or 'for' women."
Jen Villamia
Instagram: @jentwice143
Size: 6Y
Sneaker: Nike Flightposite
"I wish all shoes came in small sizes, and it seems they are starting to listen but what I really wish for is a bigger quantity. It seems like they are making 10 pairs size 6 to be given out across the states making it nearly impossible to obtain. Little feet need big heat too, give us more pairs! Oh, and Flightposites! The smallest is a 7 and the boring colorways. Let us be great!"
Megan Ann Wilson
Instagram: @shegotgame
Size: 4Y
Sneaker: Nike Kobe Zoom VI "FC Barcelona"
"Asking me to pick just one men's sneaker that I wish came in women's sizing is difficult as I'm not a fan of most female-focused sneakers (Infrared is the only shade of pink I like). I'd love a pair of Nike Air Safaris or Ewing 33s but the two shoes at the top of my grail list are Kobe Zoom VI 'FC Barcelona' and adidas Y-3 Qasa Highs.I still don't own any Nike Kobe or Y-3 models as I haven't found a new colorway that measures up to either of these beauties—or my tiny shoe size."
Tina Nabati
Instagram: @shoequeendom
Size: 6.5W
Sneaker: Hurley x Nike Air Max 90
"An amazing release with very limited quantities, I would love to rock a pair! The sleek lines and the blend of colors would look amazing when styled right on a female."
Mely
Instagram: @uglymely
Size: 6Y
Sneaker: Nike Air Trainer 1 Safari
"I'm a Nike Air Trainer lover so I would like to have a Nike Air Trainer 1 Safari in my size!!"
Jazerai Lord
Instagram: @nerdlikejazzy
Size: 6Y
Sneaker: Ewing Athletics 33 Hi
"The most recent sizing disappointment has to be the Ewing Athletic 33 Hi. I remember being so hype for the drop that I had all of the colorway release dates saved in iCal. Those and the canvas Reebok Questions really broke my heart."