A flexible-member foot protector has an outer shape and dimensions generally adapted to match an outer shape and dimensions of a sole of a wearer's foot. The flexible member's top includes a raised region adjacent to the outer edge that will be aligned with an arch of the wearer's foot when the wearer's foot is placed on the top. The top also includes a first contiguous raised rim along the top adjacent to the flexible member's outer edge. The flexible member's bottom includes a second contiguous raised rim adjacent to the flexible member's outer edge. The bottom also includes a plurality of spaced-apart relief members within the confines of the second contiguous raised rim. Each of the relief members has a height that is less than a height of the second contiguous raised rim.

An orthopedic walking boot includes a housing configured to encompass at least a user's foot, a mechanically adjustable ramp insert including a ramp surface and disposed in the housing, an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an elevation angle of the ramp surface, and a mechanically adjustable lift configured to cause the mechanically adjustable ramp insert to descend within the housing as the ramp surface is elevated such that vertical displacement of the user's foot caused by elevation of the ramp surface is substantially attenuated. Related methods are also provided.

An adjustable corrective shoe component is provided. The shoe component can be disposed in an inner lining of a shoe. The shoe component may include a shell formed conformal to an interior bottom surface of the shoe and curving upwards at sides of the shoe. The shell may include a forefoot section to accommodate a forefoot area of a foot, a middle section to accommodate a midfoot area of the foot, and a hind section to accommodate a hind area of the foot. The shoe component may include a strap attached to a medial side of the middle section and configured to pull the middle section towards a lateral side of the shoe to cause the middle section to support an arch of the foot.

Sole structures and/or articles of footwear include: (a) a frame with a first sidewall that has an opening defined through it; and (b) an interior midsole component including a second sidewall that extends along the first sidewall of the frame. The interior midsole component includes an outwardly extending stem projecting sideways and into the opening. This stem: (a) may extend at least to a location at or adjacent an outer surface of the first sidewall, (b) may be complementary shaped with respect to an interior surface of the opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the opening, and/or (c) may extend beyond an outermost extent of the opening.

An orthotic support structure or shell may be used with footwear intrinsically or as a removable and transferable device. The footwear may be a sandal assembly including a sole, a strap and an orthotic shell. The strap is attached to the sole and configured to secure the sole against the foot. The orthotic shell is positioned within the sole and formed from a semi-rigid material. The orthotic shell includes a heel portion configured to support a heel region of the foot, and a midfoot portion connected to the heel portion and configured to support an arch region of the foot, the midfoot portion comprising an arched shank having a curved convex shape. The arched shank is configured to deflect under a downward force applied thereon which reactively rotates the heel portion toward the heel region of the foot.

Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.

Provided is a shoe or device for inserting into a shoe, having a shallow channel on a top side of a contoured insole or shoe, specifically under the 1.sup.st metatarsal shaft of the wearer. The shoe also has a rear region or heel cup positioned to underlying a wearer's calcaneal tuberosity, the rear region being shaped to accommodate a planer surface of the wearer's calcaneal tuberosity, an upper surface of said rear region having a raised portion underlying an area of the wearer's calcaneus immediately forward of the wearer's calcaneus tuberosity.

An improved article of footwear is disclosed herein. The article of footwear includes an upper and a harness. The upper has a midfoot region, a forefoot region, a medial side, a lateral side, and an opening configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The harness extends between the midfoot region and the forefoot region, and includes a panel, a cable, and a tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism tensions the cable against the panel to apply a compressive force to the foot of a wearer to secure the foot of the wearer in the upper. Consequently, the internal harness prevents the foot of a wearer from shifting or translating in the upper, such as during athletic activity like cutting.

A shoe that simulates barefoot running having an outer sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion, and a flexible bridge portion, wherein the flexible bridge portion is curved inwards to be narrower than a foot on both the lateral and medial sides, wherein the flexible bridge conforms to the foot's arch and is lifted off the ground when the shoe is tied onto the foot; a wrap overlay associated with the flexible bridge and having at least a first strap and at least a second strap, which are tied atop a metatarsal area of the foot, such that to suspend the flexible bridge therefrom and provide a 360 degrees wrap of the foot in the arch section of the foot, resulting in both, arch support and the shoe's anchoring to the foot; and, a roomy toe box providing toe splay and facilitating forefoot-striking

Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.