Ida Sports Gives Women a Footing in Soccer Gear
Anwar Stetson
Women’s athletic wear has exploded in both demand and innovation over the past decade. Female athletes now drive design, performance, and style conversations across brands both big and small. Because of growing demand, brands are now focusing on female-specific gear dedicated to giving those athletes the competitive edge they need to succeed.
A study by Adidas found that “female feet typically have a narrower heel, higher arches and more volume around the midfoot area.” Soccer players especially demand traction, stability, and responsiveness that supports speed and agility. We’ve profiled women-specific sports gear before, with companies like Avoli. But few have the origin story of our latest company on the rise, Ida Sports.
Ida Sports is the brainchild of entrepreneur, TED Speaker, and Guinness World Record holder Laura Youngson. In 2017, Youngson, partnering with sports gender equality organization Equal Playing Field, helped coordinate the world’s highest altitude soccer match with a group of women on the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. She found that all of the women players were using men’s cleats and didn’t have female-oriented options to play in.
In 2018, she partnered with former pro cricketer Ben Sandhu to build prototypes designed specifically for women’s feet, and by 2020, IDA Sports was born. Let’s take a look.
IDA Youth Next Gen is the standard youth soccer cleat, designed specifically for female feet. With a lightweight upper, roomy toebox, and a secure and cushioned heel, these cleats are built for young athletes that grow quickly. What’s even more interesting about cleat sizing is that IDA uses its own custom size chart designed to assist buyers trying to find that perfect fit for their rising soccer star. The IDA Youth Next Gen currently retails for $109.99.
For adult women’s sizes, the $94.99 IDA Helia Club comes in a number of beaming colorways. The red particularly stands out with its uniquely deep, dark, and warm hues. IDA emphasizes each cleats’ lightweight feel, crafted perfectly for women. “Every element—from the upper to the soleplate—is shaped for the female foot, giving you a seamless fit and the freedom to play your game without distraction,” IDA says, describing the Helia Club on its site.
A step up in performance, the most premium selection on the IDA website is the IDA Helia Pro. At $259.99, the IDA Helia Pro includes the WAVEKNIT + 2.0, “an advanced mesh upper that combines engineered jacquard zones with all-over 3D haptic detailing to create a breathable, second-skin feel that sharpens your touch and control at high speeds.”
Right now, their bundle holiday sale lets players mix cleats, turf shoes, and accessories while enjoying free domestic shipping on orders over $100.