An articulated orthotic insert including a first curved member with a tapered edge configured to fit the heel of a foot. An elongated flexible rod is attached to the first curved member at a first end of the elongated flexible rod. A second member is attached to a second end of the elongated flexible rod. The second member has an indented section that accepts the ball of a foot. There are numerous support members attached to the elongated flexible rod in a perpendicular manner. The support members are curved upwards as to support the arch of a foot. The support members are in various lengths and heights to better conform to a foot. The support members are made from a rigid material such that they support the arch of a foot when a foot is placed on the support members.

Systems and methods for customizable footwear inserts having a plurality of removable sections. Removable sections may be permanently bonded to adjacent layers of the inserts to eliminate or minimize the tendency of removable sections surrounding the removed sections to fall out or migrate into the cavity created by the removed sections. In some aspects, multiple layers are provided to increase the comfort, support, and/or fit provided to the wearer of the insert. Further, some embodiments include a removable backing that, when removed, exposes an adhesive that may be utilized to, inter alia, adhere an original insole of footwear to the top of the footwear insert such that the user's foot is still in contact with the original insole when wearing the footwear.

Beads may be stitched to a substrate layer and then fused to form structures including foam midsoles, foam pads, and other foam structures. Beads may be embroidered to multiple substrate layers and then folded or stacked together to form a preform used in a mold to form a midsole.

An electrically conductive shoe includes a shoe body having an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, and the outsole has a receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is communicated with a bore of the midsole. A conductive device is mounted on a bottom of the outsole. A flexible conductive member has an end electrically connected to the conductive device and an opposite end extending to an inner space of the upper through the receiving chamber of the outsole and the bore of the midsole and attached to an inner side of the upper.

An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, and a support assembly positioned beneath the midsole. The support assembly includes a plurality of primary support members having a substantially Z-shaped cross-section extending transversely across the support assembly. The support assembly may include a plurality of secondary support members having an inverted V-shaped cross-section, extending longitudinally along the support assembly, and intersecting with the primary support members. An outsole is positioned beneath the support assembly.

An insole made of two membrane foils, between which a liquid is provided. The membrane foils have very little elasticity and high stiffness to respond quickly to load by pushing liquid quickly from an area under the foot to another area of the foot, by which the balance response is made faster for a person who uses such insoles. Especially in the field of multiple sclerosis, post-stroke rehabilitation, golf and race have such insoles have proven to be very advantageous.

An insert for a ballet pointe shoe includes an aft section positionable adjacent the heel of the shoe or between the heel and the box of the shoe, and a forward section positionable adjacent the platform and under the box. A distal end of the forward section is shaped in complement to the platform. The insert is formed of carbon fiber. The construction resists breaking down with use and can significantly reduce the cost of pointe shoes for ballet dancers while also decreasing the risk of injury.

An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. Each sensor includes two electrodes that are in communication with a force sensitive resistive material. Additionally, the sensor system may be provided on an insert that may form a sole member of the article of footwear. The insert may include an airflow system that includes one or more air chambers in communication with one or more air reservoirs through air passages extending therebetween. The insert may also have a multi-layered structure, with the airflow system provided between the layers.

The present invention relates to visco-elastic inserts, in particular to shoe inserts, and in particular to heel supports having a main body with regions of dissimilar hardness.

A multi-sided, multi-purpose liner is provided for use in footwear. Each side of the liner provides one or more benefits to the wearer. The liner is reversible, such that a first side with a first benefit can contact the wearer's foot or a second side with a second benefit can contact the wearer's foot. The wearer can flip or rotate the liner so that the side having the desired benefit contacts their foot during use. One side of the liner may include a plurality of benefits in a preselected pattern across the surface. A liner kit provides a material blank from which the liner may be cut to produce a desired distribution of benefits. The benefits of the liner may vary with respect to the location on the surface of the liner, with some areas of the liner displaying an increased or decreased degree of a specific benefit.