Men and women have many differences and shoes are just one of them. A woman's shoe isn't merely a smaller version of man's shoe. The design is different to allow for differences in the shape of the foot and weight applied to the heel.
Men's running shoes are generally stiffer than women's shoes. This allows for more support and motion control whereas women's shoes tend to be a little more flexible.
For a long time, running shoe manufacturers specialized mainly in the construction of men's running shoes and basically build scaled down versions for women.
In recent years however, many manufacturers have taken to designing running shoes specifically for women which take into consideration the differences in the build of women's feet.
Since men of the same height tend to weigh more than women, men's running shoes are designed to be tougher and have more cushioning in the sole to absorb the pounding caused by the additional weight.
The heels are typically designed to absorb shock of greater intensity. These extra features tend to make the shoe stiffer which adds additional support for the male foot, but which can make it hard for a female to move and flex naturally while wearing.
In general, the male foot has a broader forefoot than a woman's. The female foot tends toward being angular.
As an example, see the features of the following men's running shoes:
The Nike Shox TL3
This shoe is constructed with triple layers and provides great fit and optimal comfort. These layers allow the foot to breathe and the midfoot is given extra support from the lacing design.
The Nike Shox has bisected heel columns to allow each heel a smooth landing. This shoe provides excellent cushioning as well as impact protection. The Nike Shox offers the latest in sports shoe technology as well as old fashioned comfort. This shoe costs around $150 per pair.
The Adidas Clima Cool Running Shoe
This is another high quality men's running shoe. It is constructed of breathable materials which are fast drying. The material provides for maximum ventilation from both sides and it has an antimicrobial lining which limits the bacterial growth and cuts down on odors.
This running shoe has a shock absorbing midsole with inserts and plates which reduce impact and protect feet. The rubber outersole is made from high traction rubber. The Adidas men's running shoe is less expensive than the Nike, it costs around $85 per pair.
