Thierry Henry leads push for football boots designed specifically for women

Thierry Henry is seeking to reshape women’s football by helping develop boots made specifically for female players, rather than relying on designs originally created for men.

The former France international and Arsenal forward is pursuing the project as football director at Swiss sportswear company On, which is expanding its presence in the sport through the development of innovative equipment.

“There are female players wearing men’s boots, and that is not normal,” Henry said, highlighting a longstanding gap in the design of football products for women.

The initiative combines new manufacturing technology with input from professional players. Barcelona midfielder Sydney Schertenleib, who is Swiss, is involved in developing On’s latest products, allowing the company to draw directly on the experience of elite players when designing boots for their needs.

The footwear uses On’s LightSpray technology, which creates an extremely lightweight, stitch-free upper. The company says the approach is intended to improve comfort, reduce weight and support performance on the pitch.

On is also looking towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil as an important opportunity to present its new products and increase the brand’s international profile.

The project forms part of On’s wider strategy to establish itself in football. The company is working with prominent figures including Kylian Mbappe, as well as Schertenleib, as it seeks to move beyond conventional sponsorship deals and invest in technology and specialist equipment.

Henry, who was part of the France side that won the 1998 World Cup, believes the development of women’s football should involve more than increasing audiences and investment. It must also include products designed around the specific requirements of female players.

Women’s football has become an increasingly attractive commercial market for sportswear companies, but the continued use of equipment designed primarily for men has exposed a clear need for more specialised products.

By involving players in the development process and using LightSpray technology, On hopes to address part of that problem while building its reputation within the game. The company’s plans represent an attempt to combine performance-focused design with a broader expansion into football.

For Henry, the project is intended to tackle a historic shortfall in women’s football equipment through what may appear to be a small change but could have a significant effect on players’ comfort and performance.