The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear effective to regulate the temperature of the feet of a wearer. In an embodiment, the article of footwear includes an upper and an insole with a thermal effect membrane. The thermal effect membrane contains a plurality of system-reactive components selectively engaged heat and/or moisture. In an embodiment, the printed coating includes a cooling agent, a phase change material, and a heat dissipation material. The bottom of the sole structure of the article of footwear further includes a multiple openings in the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot regions. The multiple openings promote airflow into the interior of the upper. In operation, the article of footwear is effective to delay/diminish the rise in skin temperature (compared to footwear lacking the membrane and/or openings), increasing wearer comfort.

A closable drainage system for a sole of a shoe, the closable drainage system including a drain configured to communicate between sole top and bottom surfaces of the sole, the drain having opposing drain upper and lower faces; at least one drainage aperture element disposed within the drain, the drainage aperture element defining a drainage channel which communicates between the drain upper and lower faces; and a movable member overlaying the drain upper face, the movable member movable over the drain upper face to provide open and closed conditions of the drainage channel; whereby in the open condition, the movable member disposes to allow passage through the drainage channel and correspondingly, between the sole top and bottom surfaces; and whereby in the closed condition, the movable member disposes to preclude passage through the drainage channel and correspondingly, between the sole top and bottom surfaces.

Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.

A shoe sole, to which an upper member is joined, the shoe sole including a bottom receiving part corresponding to a bottom of the upper member, and a rising part that is formed to rise upwardly from an upper side of the bottom receiving part so as to cover an outer surface of a side of the upper member, wherein the bottom receiving part is formed with vent grooves each recessed in a thickness direction from the upper surface of the bottom receiving part, wherein the rising part is formed with vent holes each penetrating therethrough in a thickness direction of the rising part, and wherein the vent hole is formed to have a vertically elongated shape extending from an upper end side to a lower end side of the rising part, and to be in communication with the vent groove.

A waterproof and vapor-permeable sole for shoes, including: a first contoured element including at least one hollow lower portion in the plantar region, delimited by a border and including at least one through opening, at least one second contoured and flat element, which is joined in a lower region with respect to the first element; at least one functional element substantially in sheet form, which is waterproof and vapor-permeable and is joined in an upper region to provide a seal to the first element. The second element has a shorter extension than the respective hollow lower portion to define with the border a surrounding slot.

Under normal usage condition, wearing any pair of shoes especially for extended amount of time regardless of the type of shoe, makes feet sweaty and uncomfortable which potentially results in an exhausted foot. By circulating air inside a pair of shoes and around one's feet inside such shoe one can have a more hygienic/healthy and a more pleasant experience throughout the day. Exposure to fresh air not only makes feet more relaxed and comfortable it allows for less odor trapped inside such shoes due to less sweating. I have invented a means of ventilating men's, women's, or kids' shoes to remove heat and objectionable odors normally caused by sweating of one's feet inside a pair of shoes being worn, by means of circulating fresh outside air inside such pair of shoes and around one's feet wearing such shoes.

A breathable shoe, including an outsole arranged below a structural insert that is at least partially breathable, and below an upper. The outsole is at least partially breathable, including at least one sheet-like breathable element defined by a plurality of granules made of expanded material and having a uniform size, arranged in a substantially ordered manner and between which there are voids that form one or more channels through the breathable element that are permeable to air and/or vapor.

A shoe is provided and includes a ventilated outsole that includes a recessed portion formed along an upper face of the outsole and has one or more openings formed along a ground contacting bottom face of the outsole. The shoe includes a ventilation insert disposed within the recessed portion. The ventilation insert includes a base layer that has through holes formed therein and a membrane that is coupled to the base layer. The base layer represents a bottom layer of the ventilation insert, while the membrane represents a top layer of the ventilation insert that are exposed over and cover the through holes formed in the base layer. The openings formed within the outsole are in communication with the recessed portion such that the ventilation insert is visible through the openings formed in the outsole.

The invention described herein is a self-cleaning footwear system comprising a sole, where a plurality of check valves are located within said sole. The plurality of check valves are preferably configured between an upper sole and a lower sole to allow debris to flow downwards but not upwards. The plurality of check valves preferably further comprise flap assemblies, where a length of flexible material preferably further comprises a semi-circular flap on one end. The flexible material is preferably a rubber-type material. The sole could be attached to normal footwear, as shown in a sandal. Alternately, the sole could be attached to any type of footwear.

Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.