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 portion of ankle movement can be harnessed into stored energy that can be released for various purposes, such as to assist in movement or to charge a battery. This harnessing can be achieved in various manners. In one example manner, an offset pulley component can transfer ankle movement to a generator in a shoe insole. In another example manner, a slider can cause a brace arch to match an ankle arch such that the movement is appropriately harnessed.

A portion of ankle movement can be harnessed into stored energy that can be released for various purposes, such as to assist in movement or to charge a battery. This harnessing can be achieved in various manners. In one example manner, an offset pulley component can transfer ankle movement to a generator in a shoe insole. In another example manner, a slider can cause a brace arch to match an ankle arch such that the movement is appropriately harnessed.

A modular article of footwear has a shock absorbing insert placed between the insole and the outsole thereof, for example at the heel. The insert includes a spring carrier having upper and lower portions, each having a plurality seats for receiving a respective ends of respective coil springs. Each of the springs extends between said upper and lower portions and is captured therebetween. A pair of opposed permanent magnets generates a separating force which supplements the supporting force of the mechanical springs. The insert may also contain a device for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy.

Articles of footwear with localized traction regions. An article of footwear includes an upper with a shell and a sole assembly coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes an outsole with a traction surface and a heel region from which a heel projects. The sole assembly and the upper collectively define a foot compartment. The traction surface includes a plurality of distinct localized traction regions, each of which has a traction coefficient that is different than that of at least one other localized traction region. The traction surface further defines and/or includes a stirrup glide surface. The stirrup glide surface is configured to permit the article of footwear to be selectively inserted into and removed from a stirrup of a saddle by sliding along a tread surface of the stirrup without obstruction by the stirrup.

Articles of footwear with localized traction regions. An article of footwear includes an upper with a shell and a sole assembly coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes an outsole with a traction surface and a heel region from which a heel projects. The sole assembly and the upper collectively define a foot compartment. The traction surface includes a plurality of distinct localized traction regions, each of which has a traction coefficient that is different than that of at least one other localized traction region. The traction surface further defines and/or includes a stirrup glide surface. The stirrup glide surface is configured to permit the article of footwear to be selectively inserted into and removed from a stirrup of a saddle by sliding along a tread surface of the stirrup without obstruction by the stirrup.

The present invention relates to a high heel for women, and particularly, to a high heel which not only prevents weight from being concentrated to the toe when worn but also absorbs shock to achieve walking comfort, and in which stress is provided to the arch of the sole to prevent deformation of the toes and exercise the Achilles' tendon such that joints are protected and the posture is corrected thereby preventing damage to the spine. To this end, a protrusion part 1 is formed at a part to support a back end of the arching of the sole, and an inclined surface 2 inclined downward from a back end of the protrusion part 1, which positions the heel of the sole to an end part of the high heel such that the Achilles' tendon can be exercised while walking.

The present invention relates to a high heel for women, and particularly, to a high heel which not only prevents weight from being concentrated to the toe when worn but also absorbs shock to achieve walking comfort, and in which stress is provided to the arch of the sole to prevent deformation of the toes and exercise the Achilles' tendon such that joints are protected and the posture is corrected thereby preventing damage to the spine. To this end, a protrusion part 1 is formed at a part to support a back end of the arching of the sole, and an inclined surface 2 inclined downward from a back end of the protrusion part 1, which positions the heel of the sole to an end part of the high heel such that the Achilles' tendon can be exercised while walking.

The present invention discloses a weight-bearing structure of high-heel footwear that is coupled to an outsole of high-heeled footwear, or in which a sole cover part becomes an outsole of the high-heeled footwear to linearly contact the ground during a loading response. An embodiment of the present invention provides a weight-bearing structure of high-heeled footwear, including: a heel part linearly contacting the ground; a strut part extending from the heel part; and a sole cover part extending from the strut part.

The present invention discloses a weight-bearing structure of high-heel footwear that is coupled to an outsole of high-heeled footwear, or in which a sole cover part becomes an outsole of the high-heeled footwear to linearly contact the ground during a loading response. An embodiment of the present invention provides a weight-bearing structure of high-heeled footwear, including: a heel part linearly contacting the ground; a strut part extending from the heel part; and a sole cover part extending from the strut part.