A heel structure for an article of footwear protrudes rearward from a heel region of an article of footwear in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal orientation of the footwear article.

Footwear for covering a foot of a wearer includes an outsole configured for supporting the foot of the wearer, an upper secured to the outsole and configured for covering the foot of the wearer, an insole located above the outsole within the upper, a midsole located above the outsole and below the insole and first and second laterally adjacent shanks located above the outsole and below the insole. The first shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a lateral side of the middle portion and the second shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a medial side of the middle portion to form an acute angle therebetween and provide balance and torsional stability for sides of the wearer's foot

A high heel shoe that contains a sole insert that includes a forward region supporting the forefoot and a reduced thickness or cut out area disposed beneath the first metatarsal head. The reduced thickness or cut out area provides less support to the first metatarsal head than is provided to other areas of the forward region that support the forefoot. The rear region supports the midfoot and the rearfoot including the heel, with the rear region extending from the forefoot to the back of the optional heel. An arch support may also be provided. Also disclosed are the sole insert itself, methods of making the sole insert and methods of making shoes that contain the sole insert.

A high heel shoe that contains a sole insert that includes a forward region supporting the forefoot and a reduced thickness or cut out area disposed beneath the first metatarsal head. The reduced thickness or cut out area provides less support to the first metatarsal head than is provided to other areas of the forward region that support the forefoot. The rear region supports the midfoot and the rearfoot including the heel, with the rear region extending from the forefoot to the back of the optional heel. An arch support may also be provided. Also disclosed are the sole insert itself, methods of making the sole insert and methods of making shoes that contain the sole insert.

A heel structure for an article of footwear protrudes rearward from a heel region of an article of footwear in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal orientation of the footwear article.

A heel structure for an article of footwear protrudes rearward from a heel region of an article of footwear in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal orientation of the footwear article.

A shoe configured to adjust from a first configuration having a first height to a second configuration having a second height includes a sole. Sole includes a toebox, a shank, and a seat. The shank is rotatably connected to the toebox and the seat. The shoe also includes a heel assembly mounted to the seat. The heel assembly includes a collapsible exterior shell that adjusts the shoe between the first configuration and the second configuration, the first height of the first configuration being greater than the second height of the second configuration.

A shoe configured to adjust from a first configuration having a first height to a second configuration having a second height includes a sole. Sole includes a toebox, a shank, and a seat. The shank is rotatably connected to the toebox and the seat. The shoe also includes a heel assembly mounted to the seat. The heel assembly includes a collapsible exterior shell that adjusts the shoe between the first configuration and the second configuration, the first height of the first configuration being greater than the second height of the second configuration.

A plate for an article of footwear includes a substrate, a first strand portion attached to the substrate via first stitching, and a second strand portion disposed on the first layer. The first strand portion includes first segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate. The second strand portion includes second segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a second layer on the first layer.

A plate for an article of footwear includes a substrate, a first strand portion attached to the substrate via first stitching, and a second strand portion disposed on the first layer. The first strand portion includes first segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate. The second strand portion includes second segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a second layer on the first layer.