A retractable piston cleat system which includes at least one inverted ramp in contact with and positioned to transition at least one piston cleat between a retracted and an extended position when a lever arm, or similar device, is moved between a first and a second position. In another embodiment, multiple inverted ramps are used to simultaneously transition multiple piston cleats between retracted and extended positions.

Snowshoes are provided which include a footwear supporting plate, a front binding device and a rear binding device. The plate has a lattice-like, essentially flat configuration formed by a plurality of hollow prismatic structures partially superimposed on one another. The main axis (x) of each hollow prismatic structure may be inclined by an angle (α) between 20° and 70° relative to a middle plane of the plate, in such a manner that lower edges of the hollow prismatic structures form sharp edges which allow the plate to grip snow and inner surfaces of the hollow prismatic structures offer high resistance to penetration into snow allowing for the distribution of weight of a user over a wide contact surface, thereby ensuring good floatability.

A heel traction device for attachment to a heel of a shoe or a boot comprises a traction platform formed of a flexible rubber material. The traction platform has a first face for contacting a ground surface and a second face for attachment to the heel of the shoe or boot. The traction platform defines a plurality of openings formed therethrough for receiving a traction element in each of said openings. A support band is connected to the traction platform for securing the traction platform to the shoe or a boot. The support band has a rear portion for attachment to a rear portion of the shoe or the boot and two opposing side portions for attachment to side portions of the shoe or the boot. Each of the side portions define a slot formed therethrough for receiving a strap.

A mid-sole traction device for a shoe or a boot comprises a traction platform formed of a flexible rubber material. The platform has a first face for contacting a ground surface and a second face for attachment to a mid-sole of the shoe/boot. The first face is spaced from the second face. First and second protrusions are formed on the first face. The first protrusion has first and second ends, each of which defines an opening for receiving a spike. The second protrusion has first and second ends, each of which defines an opening for receiving a spike. The second protrusion is separate and spaced from the first protrusion. A first slot is formed in the platform and is located near a first peripheral edge of the platform for receiving a strap. A second slot is formed in the platform near a second peripheral edge for receiving a strap.

The present invention relates to collapsible snowshoes. In one embodiment, a collapsible snowshoe includes a collapsible frame, a webbing and a binding. The collapsible snowshoe frame includes a first pair of bars, a second pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar securing the pair of joints to each other. The second pair of bars are each collapsible and include bar sections that are removably coupled to each other. The pair of joints is coupled to the corresponding first end of each of the first pair of bars, and is also coupled to the corresponding first end of each of the second pair of bars.

The present invention relates to collapsible snowshoes. In one embodiment, a collapsible snowshoe includes a collapsible frame, a webbing and a binding. The collapsible snowshoe frame includes a first pair of bars, a second pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar securing the pair of joints to each other. The second pair of bars are each collapsible and include bar sections that are removably coupled to each other. The pair of joints is coupled to the corresponding first end of each of the first pair of bars, and is also coupled to the corresponding first end of each of the second pair of bars.

A midsole traction device is described. The midsole traction device comprises a first base portion; a second base portion and a flexible connector portion connecting the first base portion to the second base portion. The first base portion comprises a first traction aid on a first side of the midsole traction device. The second base portion comprising a second traction aid of the first side of the midsole traction device. The second traction aid is different to the first traction aid.

Provided is a non-skid shoe capable of absorbing shock including: an outsole; a plurality of accommodation grooves formed on the outsole, the accommodation groove including a groove portion, and a penetrated portion extending from the groove portion and penetrating the outsole; a support member which is accommodated in the respective accommodation grooves, and includes a support portion disposed in the groove portion, a first guide portion formed at a center of the support portion, and a second guide portion extending from the first guide portion and penetrating a bottom surface of the support portion; a movable member which is disposed in the respective support members, and includes a latch portion and a protruding portion; a pressing member engaged to an upper portion of the first guide portion; a resilient member disposed in the first guide portion; and a midsole engaged to the top surface of the outsole.

A roofing shoe traction chassis system has a roofing shoe traction chassis with a toe strap, foot strap and heel strap coupled thereto for securing a shoe to the chassis. The chassis also has a detachable traction sheet configured for attachment to the base of the roofing shoe chassis. The roofing shoe traction chassis can be quickly donned over a pair of shoes allowing a user to wear a more comfortable and better ventilated shoe. The detachable traction sheet can be changed out as the traction layer is worn. An exemplary roofing shoe traction chassis has a strap support that extends up from a support plate and has a toe strap and foot strap aperture to receive and retain the toe and heel straps respectively. The support plate may also have post apertures for receiving and retaining heel strap posts.

A midsole traction device is described. The midsole traction device comprises a first base portion; a second base portion and a flexible connector portion connecting the first base portion to the second base portion. The first base portion comprises a first traction aid on a first side of the midsole traction device. The second base portion comprising a second traction aid of the first side of the midsole traction device. The second traction aid is different to the first traction aid.