The inventor has realized that there is a need for adaptive footwear that can respond to variations in surfaces on which persons travel or exercise. The adaptation can extend to self-leveling functions to resolve surface asymmetry. According to some aspects, footwear, and for example, athletic shoes, can be improved to adjust the height of a person's foot based on dynamic adjustments made in the sole of the footwear. According to some aspects, differences in striking height (e.g., a distance between the user's foot and the ground) between shoes can induce asymmetry in leg length resulting in medical issues. An athletic shoe can provide self-leveling functions to automatically adjusts the shoe to even out an asymmetry that is detected by embedded sensors.

A highly-portable step navigation assisting apparatus for attaching to just one footwear of the two footwear worn on a person during a navigation of a step change in elevation permits reduction in the amount of knee bending and fatigue of the person during the navigation of the step change in elevation. The step navigation assisting apparatus comprises a selected height platform with a platform bottom and a platform top; and a single attachment means anchored to a position within the front half of the platform and for passing over the footwear in front of the ankle for attaching the one footwear to the platform top. The step navigation assisting apparatus meets a long-felt need by disabled and elderly persons with a knee disability or other medical condition who need to navigate a step with both hands free

The transformable shoe is an apparatus that allows a user to customize the height of the shoe. The apparatus includes a shoe body, a collapsible heel, and a lift-receiving bed. The shoe body surrounds and supports the foot against the ground. The collapsible heel uplifts the shoe body above the ground. More specifically, the collapsible heel uplifts a heel seat above the ground and defines an arch of the foot. The collapsible heel includes a plurality of anthropomorphic members. The height of the apparatus is dependent on the arrangement of the plurality of anthropomorphic members with each other, moreover the plurality of anthropomorphic members may be arranged into a high-heel configuration, a wedge configuration, and a flat configuration. In order to secure the configuration, a telescopic extrusion is integrated into a distal member of the collapsible heel. The telescopic extrusion connects the distal member to the lift-receiving bed.

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.

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.

An exercise apparatus includes a pair of step-up apparatuses wearable on feet of a user. Each step-up apparatus is configurable between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration to simulate a selected motion when the user wearing the pair of step-up apparatuses travels by foot. One of the step-up apparatuses moves towards the expanded configuration while the other step-up apparatus moves towards the compressed configuration.

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.

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.

An extendable heel for adjusting the height of a heel. The extendable heel includes a heel body and one or more heel portions that are moveable between an extend position and a retracted position. In a retracted position, the heel portions are housed within the heel body and in an extended position, the heel portions are positioned below the heel body. A locking mechanism is operably connected to the heel portions and controls the height and position of the heel portions. The locking mechanism can receive a key that allows a user to control the position of the heel portions. In one use, the turning of the key in a first direction causes a cylinder to rotate, which allows the heel portions to freely move into the extended position. The key can be turned in the opposing direction to secure the heel portion in the extended position.

An extendable heel for adjusting the height of a heel. The extendable heel includes a heel body and one or more heel portions that are moveable between an extend position and a retracted position. In a retracted position, the heel portions are housed within the heel body and in an extended position, the heel portions are positioned below the heel body. A locking mechanism is operably connected to the heel portions and controls the height and position of the heel portions. The locking mechanism can receive a key that allows a user to control the position of the heel portions. In one use, the turning of the key in a first direction causes a cylinder to rotate, which allows the heel portions to freely move into the extended position. The key can be turned in the opposing direction to secure the heel portion in the extended position.