Innovative Brand IDA Sports Introduces Unique Soccer Cleat Tailored Exclusively for Young Female Players
In 2018, frustration turned into inspiration for Laura Youngson, leading her to launch IDA Sports, a women's soccer footwear company. Her challenge? Finding cleats that fit her adult female feet, as the market only offered boys' soccer cleats. After recognizing this gap, IDA was born, committed to designing footwear tailored to the unique needs of female athletes.
With extensive market research, consumer input, and science-backed insights from podiatrists, IDA Sports hit the market, striving to elevate women's soccer cleats. "When I started, there was very limited research in the space," explained Youngson. IDA's dedication to understanding women's feet and biomechanics led to the creation of a shoe that incorporated their findings, enhancing comfort, performance, and minimizing injury risk.
Fast-forward, and IDA expanded its offerings to include GRLSFIT, a line of cleats tailored for young female players. At the time, research revealed that girls' feet could start changing as early as eight years old. IDA's GRLSFIT was designed to accommodate these changes, featuring elements like a wider toe box, a custom stud configuration, and additional support and cushioning for growing bones.
Most notably, GRLSFIT was designed using a girls-specific shoe last, differing from a unisex mold. This innovative approach enables IDA's sizing for the new GRLSFIT youth cleats to span from 2.5G (1Y Unisex) to 4.5G (3Y Unisex). This girls-specific fit ensures that young female players have proper footwear, allowing them to grow both physically and in their soccer skills.
Reflecting IDA's commitment to serving athletes at all levels, GRLSFIT will offer two youth styles: the "Travel" style for recreational players and the "NextGen" style for young players with aspirations of competing at elite levels. This expansion of their product line is yet another testament to IDA's desire to provide high-quality, gender-specific footwear to female athletes of all ages and skill levels.
"Until now, girls have been treated as an afterthought," said Youngson. "I'm excited to see how the cleats resonate with the players who have been waiting for this." GRLSFIT footwear is now available through IDA Sports' website and their retail partners, including DICK'S Sporting Goods, ready to empower young female athletes as they embark on their soccer journeys.
- Laura Youngson, the founder of IDA Sports, noted that in 2018, there was a lack of women's soccer cleats in the market, as the available options were primarily designed for boys.
- To address this gap, IDA Sports, a women's football (soccer) footwear company, was established, with a focus on creating cleats tailored to the unique needs of female athletes.
- Emelia, a young soccer player, can now find cleats that fit her well, thanks to the expansion of IDA Sports' offerings to include GRLSFIT, a line of cleats specifically designed for young female players.
- In her quest to understand women's feet and biomechanics, Youngson conducted extensive research and worked with podiatrists, leading to the creation of cleats that enhance comfort, performance, and minimize injury risk for female athletes.
- Recognizing that girls' feet can start changing as early as eight years old, IDA's GRLSFIT line includes features like a wider toe box, custom stud configuration, and additional support and cushioning, ensuring proper footwear for young female players.
