A shoe for preventing ankle injuries comprises a sole with a ground-engaging surface, and lateral and medial edges associated with respective lateral and medial connecting portions interconnecting and extending between the ground-engaging surface and the lateral and medial edges. At least one of the connecting portions defines a surface area of reduced friction provided, e.g., in the form of retrofitted patches, which are circumferentially surrounded by adjacent surface areas having a relatively high coefficient of friction. Friction is differentiated in different areas of those parts of the shoe which are implicated in injury mechanisms, and injuries may thus be prevented in the recovery phase after injury, and primary prophylaxis may be achieved. The area of reduced friction reduces the ability of the wearer's foot to rotate relative to ground when the load of the wearer's body is shifted towards or lands near the edge of the shoe.

The present invention comprises ornamental interchangeable defensive comfort devices for high heeled shoes and low heeled shoes. The defensive compact shoe comfort device has also a unique glow in the dark components which can be included but not limiting to in the bow section of the device making it completely different from any defensive shoe device. The defensive compact shoe comfort device has an elastic band which is used to secure the defensive compact shoe comfort device to the high heel. The elastic band is located at the bottom of the compact shoe comfort device. At the center of the compact shoe comfort device is a decorative bow. The compact shoe comfort device also provides a flap which is inserted into the back of the shoe and keeps the compact shoe comfort secured to the high heel shoe and the back of the foot with comfort because of the gel strip that is attached to the flap of the compact shoe comfort.

The present invention comprises ornamental interchangeable defensive comfort devices for high heeled shoes and low heeled shoes. The defensive compact shoe comfort device has also a unique glow in the dark components which can be included but not limiting to in the bow section of the device making it completely different from any defensive shoe device. The defensive compact shoe comfort device has an elastic band which is used to secure the defensive compact shoe comfort device to the high heel. The elastic band is located at the bottom of the compact shoe comfort device. At the center of the compact shoe comfort device is a decorative bow. The compact shoe comfort device also provides a flap which is inserted into the back of the shoe and keeps the compact shoe comfort secured to the high heel shoe and the back of the foot with comfort because of the gel strip that is attached to the flap of the compact shoe comfort.

An article of footwear includes a sole having a lower surface, and a reactive element disposed on the lower surface of the sole. The reactive element has an exposed surface, and the reactive element is configured to transition the exposed surface between a first state and a second state in response to a compression force applied to the reactive element by an external ground surface in a user activity, to prevent accumulation of ground surface material, such as mud, dirt, clay, sand, slush, etc., compacting on the sole of the article of footwear in the user activity. The reactive element may include an elastomeric dome shaped popper that compresses flat in response to a compression force and then pops back to a non-compressed state in response to release of the compression force.

An article of footwear includes a sole having a lower surface, and a reactive element disposed on the lower surface of the sole. The reactive element has an exposed surface, and the reactive element is configured to transition the exposed surface between a first state and a second state in response to a compression force applied to the reactive element by an external ground surface in a user activity, to prevent accumulation of ground surface material, such as mud, dirt, clay, sand, slush, etc., compacting on the sole of the article of footwear in the user activity. The reactive element may include an elastomeric dome shaped popper that compresses flat in response to a compression force and then pops back to a non-compressed state in response to release of the compression force.

The sole of a footwear such as slipper having an outsole. The sole is made of a foam material and outsole area of which is partly laid with a fabric material. The fabric is attached to the outsole layer by a plastic which has been heat pressed to the fabric and the foam material. This provides a strong attachment between the fabric-plastic-foam material.

A shoe has an upper portion with an outer surface, a sole and a closure. A heat shrinkable plastic material is formed into a shoe cover that defines a recess complementary in shape to an upper portion of the shoe. The shoe cover defines a bottom opening having dimensions so as to expose the sole of the shoe when the shoe is placed within the recess. The shoe cover also defines a top opening having dimensions so as expose the closure while still covering the substantially all of the upper portion except for the closure. The heat shrinkable plastic material includes a material that causes the shoe cover to shrink to the outer surface of the shoe when subjected to heat at a predetermined temperature.

A shoe has an upper portion with an outer surface, a sole and a closure. A heat shrinkable plastic material is formed into a shoe cover that defines a recess complementary in shape to an upper portion of the shoe. The shoe cover defines a bottom opening having dimensions so as to expose the sole of the shoe when the shoe is placed within the recess. The shoe cover also defines a top opening having dimensions so as expose the closure while still covering the substantially all of the upper portion except for the closure. The heat shrinkable plastic material includes a material that causes the shoe cover to shrink to the outer surface of the shoe when subjected to heat at a predetermined temperature.

A non-cleated, soft metal traction device reduces or eliminates slippage on wet and hard surfaces, such as mossy rocks beneath the water surface of a body of water. The traction device includes at least one external metal shank, plate or bar attachable to a footwear item with a desired binding system. The shank is preferably made from a soft metal material, such as a non-heat-treated aluminum alloy, so it is soft enough to grip and elastically conform to moist, wet or otherwise slippery rock and shale. The contact surface of the shank may include grooves, ribs, spaced apart ridges, or other small surface variations to improve the traction of the device in transition environments.

A snowboard accessory for engagement with a snowboard boot and a snowboard is described. The snowboard accessory includes a support pad including a top support pad surface and a bottom support pad surface. At least a portion of the support pad is magnetically active. The top support pad surface is configured for both magnetic and supporting engagement with at least a portion of a snowboard. An elongated anchoring strap extends laterally from the support pad and includes at least one strap end laterally spaced from the support pad. The elongate anchoring strap is removably attached to the bottom support pad surface. The at least one strap end is configured for securement to the snowboard boot.