Sports Equipment and the Female Body
Olivia Diaz
Since their inception, sports have been male-dominated; consequently, sports equipment, including uniforms, has been designed for the male body. Women in sports hadn’t had their big break until the early 1970s, following the passage of Title IX in schools. Although this was over five decades ago, inequality in sports equipment remains prevalent.
From hockey to softball, protective gear is often not tailored to the female figure, thereby disregarding the protection and fit required for women. Whether it's the clothes unable to fit her hips or the padding unable to guard her chest, women are vulnerable to the inadequacies of the sports industry, physically and mentally.
Is the lack of evolution in equipment because of the illogical belief that women cannot play sports? Laziness? The inability to think that a woman can play past her prepubescent years? Nonetheless, despite the ideals, women are being prevented from reaching their full potential.
“I need to buy a binder, I can’t get my chest pad to fit me, I’m not as flat-chested as a guy, and I can’t find fitting hockey gear.” A 15-year-old female hockey player stated. “I can’t find sliding shorts to fit my hips!” A 16-year-old softball player said. “My singlet is basically see-through; it isn’t made to fit my body.” A 16-year-old wrestler remarked. When will their equipment be made for them? It seems like never. It is an understatement to say it is disappointing for female athletes to have to wear clothing and protective equipment not made for women.
But the overarching question is, how can this be solved? Often, it takes a by women for women approach to develop these seemingly revolutionary items, such as the ongoing readjustment of menstrual products. Feminist criticism has added pressure to this woman-led movement, such as the ‘Shrink it and Pink it’ PPE movement, which has reached athletes. Shrink it and Pink it refers to the action of downsizing male products and then creating them in more ‘feminine’ colorways. This movement started in the military, where women are more at risk for injury than men because they do not have fitted equipment, but rather male equipment in a cuter, smaller size. Female athletes have observed this movement and have begun developing independently, such as Jen Schro, a professional softball catcher who partnered with Easton to develop women’s catcher's gear and bags to support young softball athletes better.
While these movements have perpetuated change, they have barely cracked the surface of the female athlete’s needs in sports equipment. It will take time, hard work, and collaborative thinking to effect permanent change and to amplify the unheard voices of women and girls, which are so central to this new wave. It’s time for companies to design with women in mind, not as an afterthought.
Image credit: Softball Spot