To provide footwear, in which a cushion layer is effectively bent even though an outsole of footwear has a thick cushion layer to distribute weight, thereby putting no stain on movement during walking, the footwear according to the disclosure includes uppers provided to surround at least a certain region of a wearer's foot; a supporter disposed below the uppers and supporting the foot; and a walking assister provided in the supporter, adjacent to a metatarsophalangeal joint area of the foot, and generating elasticity in a walking direction of the wearer.

A sole structure includes a foam element extending from a forefoot region to a heel region. A bottom surface of the foam element includes a recess formed in the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a cushioning arrangement disposed in the recess of the foam element. The cushioning arrangement has a proximal end adjacent to the bottom surface of the foam element and a distal end formed on an opposite side of the cushioning arrangement than the proximal end, the cushioning arrangement including at least one medial bladder proximate to a medial side of the sole structure and at least one lateral bladder proximate to a lateral side of the sole structure. An outsole includes an anterior outsole and a posterior outsole attached to the bottom surface of the foam element and the distal end of the cushioning arrangement. The anterior outsole is spaced apart from the posterior outsole.

A trim to fit insole for insertion into a shoe has a raised metatarsal pad on the insole upper surface, wherein the raised metatarsal pad has a first region rising at a slope inboard from a medial edge of the insole board, and configured to underlie the first metatarsal head of the wearer, a second, raised top surface region configured to underlie the second to fourth metatarsal shafts of the wearer, and a third region sloping downward towards the lateral edge of the insole configured to underlie the fifth metatarsal shaft of the wearer, wherein all three regions cooperate to evert the first metatarsal and to invert the fifth metatarsal of the wearer.

A trim to fit insole for insertion into a shoe has a raised metatarsal pad on the insole upper surface, wherein the raised metatarsal pad has a first region rising at a slope inboard from a medial edge of the insole board, and configured to underlie the first metatarsal head of the wearer, a second, raised top surface region configured to underlie the second to fourth metatarsal shafts of the wearer, and a third region sloping downward towards the lateral edge of the insole configured to underlie the fifth metatarsal shaft of the wearer, wherein all three regions cooperate to evert the first metatarsal and to invert the fifth metatarsal of the wearer.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer, and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer, and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

An athletic shoe extending between toe (1) and heel (3) and comprising upper (5) attached to outsole (7) via comfort sole (9). According to the invention, the athletic shoe comprises shell (13) make of plastic or composite material, inserted between upper (5) and comfort sole (9) and to which it is attached at heel (1).

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer; and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer; and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a high energy return foam having improved abrasion resistance. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness and an improved abrasion resistance. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.