An ultraviolet (UV) footwear illuminator for footwear treatment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the UV footwear illuminator includes an insert adapted for placement in an article of footwear. At least one UV radiation source is located in the insert and is configured to emit UV radiation in the footwear through a transparent window region formed in the insert. A control unit is configured to control at least one predetermined UV radiation characteristics associated with the radiation emitted from each UV radiation source. A power supply is configured to power each UV radiation source and the control unit.

Waterproof, breathable socks, booties, shoe inserts, and footwear assemblies containing the shoe inserts are provided. The booties and shoe inserts may include a laminate comprising a seamless extensible film, such as a polyurethane film, and at least one textile. The bootie is suitable for a range of sizes and shoe shapes. The bootie may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, an asymmetrical last having a desired size to form a shoe insert. A bootie having a seamless extensible film eliminates the need to have multiple sizes of shoe inserts correlating to particular shoe sizes. In embodiments where the polyurethane film is seamless and continuous, the shoe insert eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make shoe inserts waterproof. Methods of forming the socks, booties, and shoe inserts are also provided.

A footwear sweat absorbing system for absorbing sweat from a foot of a wearer includes a sandal including a sole having an upper surface defining an insole removably abutting a bottom a foot of a wearer of the sandal. At least one strap is coupled to the sole and releasably secures the sandal to the foot of the wearer. A pad is removably coupled to the insole of the sandal and absorbs sweat from the foot of the wearer to inhibit the bottom of the foot from sliding upon the insole of the sandal. An adhesive strip is coupled to the pad and removably adheres the pad to the insole of the sandal.

A footwear sweat absorbing system for absorbing sweat from a foot of a wearer includes a sandal including a sole having an upper surface defining an insole removably abutting a bottom a foot of a wearer of the sandal. At least one strap is coupled to the sole and releasably secures the sandal to the foot of the wearer. A pad is removably coupled to the insole of the sandal and absorbs sweat from the foot of the wearer to inhibit the bottom of the foot from sliding upon the insole of the sandal. An adhesive strip is coupled to the pad and removably adheres the pad to the insole of the sandal.

It is desired to teach an open footwear article where the upper surface contacting the foot is partially combined with, or wholly comprised of, a substantially rigid material that has some degree of open porosity. The purpose of said rigid, porous material serves to immediately absorb perspiration and/or water from the feet. Subsequent drying of the porous, rigid material occurs when the sandal is not in use as water/perspiration are evaporated from within the pores. The porous, rigid material also effects a massaging action while walking. It is the intent of this invention to capture a preferred combination of these two embodiments.

An insole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, having a first sole section with a standing surface for a user's foot. The first sole section extends vertically over a specified first height when the insole is used as intended. At least two second sole sections are arranged below the first sole section. A second sole section is arranged in a front section of the insole and a second sole section is arranged in a rear section of the insole viewed from the sole longitudinal direction. The two second sole sections extend over a specified second height in the vertical direction when the insole is used as intended and at least one elastic element connects the two second sole sections, each of the two ends of the elastic element engaging with a respective second sole section within the extent of the second height.

An insole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, having a first sole section with a standing surface for a user's foot. The first sole section extends vertically over a specified first height when the insole is used as intended. At least two second sole sections are arranged below the first sole section. A second sole section is arranged in a front section of the insole and a second sole section is arranged in a rear section of the insole viewed from the sole longitudinal direction. The two second sole sections extend over a specified second height in the vertical direction when the insole is used as intended and at least one elastic element connects the two second sole sections, each of the two ends of the elastic element engaging with a respective second sole section within the extent of the second height.

It is desired to teach an open footwear article where the upper surface contacting the foot is partially combined with, or wholly comprised of, a substantially rigid material that has some degree of open porosity. The purpose of said rigid, porous material serves to immediately absorb perspiration and/or water from the feet. Subsequent drying of the porous, rigid material occurs when the sandal is not in use as water/perspiration are evaporated from within the pores. The porous, rigid material also effects a massaging action while walking. It is the intent of this invention to capture a preferred combination of these two embodiments.

A biodegradable and disposable shoe liner is made of a first layer impregnated with a deodorant and an absorbent, a second layer made of a moisture-resistant material, and an adhesive layer on the bottom side of the second layer for temporary attachment to the foot bed of a shoe. A peel-off layer of paper covers the adhesive layer to prevent the shoe liners from sticking to each other or other objects before use.

Disclosed herein are insoles useful for treating skin injuries on a foot, for instance ulcers. The insoles are customizable for each patient's foot and can include various portions of differing softness, depending on the needs of the patient. For instance, it can be beneficial for certain sections of the foot to contact a firmer material, whereas other sections contact a softer material. Some, or all, of the materials can include one or more biofidelic skin simulant materials. Thus, various implementations include one or more regions that can include the same or different materials. For example, a custom insole can include a heel support region, a midfoot support region, and a forefoot support region, and the support regions can be subdivided into medial and lateral support regions or toe regions. One or more regions may have a custom isolation segment to prevent the progression of ulcers and/or expedite wound healing.