Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.

An elongate strap support system for anatomical support, pain reduction, or therapeutic treatment includes a package containing a first elongate strap support and at least one additional elongate strap support. In one example, the first elongate strap support includes a woven fabric support layer including synthetic fibers. The woven fabric is shaped so as to form an elongated strap with rounded portions. The woven fabric is substantially resistant to stretching in one direction under such test conditions as those specified in ASTM D3759. The first elongate strap support additionally includes an adhesive layer on the support layer for adhesive attachment of the woven fabric support layer to an outer skin surface of a body and a removable cover layer on the adhesive layer.

A shoe includes a sole with a midsole, and an upper portion joined to the sole. The midsole includes a cut having a linear shape, and a depth from a first height position to a second height position in a thickness direction. The cut is configured such that a part of the cut has no contact point with an other part of the cut, and the cut forms a V shape at the deepest part on a cross section when opposite inner walls of the cut are spaced from each other.

The present invention relates to a pad for strengthening the muscle of the sole of the foot, and an insole including same. The subject matter of the present invention is a pad for strengthening the muscle of the sole of the foot, and an insole including same, the pad comprising: an arch support part for supporting the arch portion; a forefoot support part formed at the front of the arch support part to support the forefoot portion; and a connecting passage part for connecting the arch support part and the forefoot support part, wherein weight moves to the forefoot portion through the outer side of the sole of the foot after a load is applied to the rearfoot portion during walking, and the metatarsal bones come into contact with the forefoot support part and are stimulated so that driving power is generated in the direction between the big toe and the second toe, and thus walking is corrected.

A sole for a shoe includes a sole body extending longitudinally from a heel portion to a toe portion and a curved plate provided at the sole body and extending longitudinally along the sole body. A compressive rigidity of the sole body is lowest at a metatarsophalangeal joint position. The sole body includes a sole forefoot top part disposed above the curved plate at the forefoot portion and a sole forefoot bottom part disposed below the curved plate at the forefoot portion. The compressive rigidity of the sole body is relatively low at the sole forefoot bottom part.

Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.

Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.

A footwear insole system for use with an article of footwear including a base insole component and an upper insole component. The base insole includes a chassis and first and a second shock absorbing inserts. The upper insole includes a spacer panel, first and a second gel insert members, and a fabric sheet layer. The insole system may be permanently secured to an article of footwear or the insole system may be replaceable or interchangeable for installation and removal to and from an article of footwear by a user.

A footwear systems utilizing silica derived gel sheets used as a footwear component in upper linings of the footwear. The upper linings provide a cushioning and shock absorption system, particularly in inclined high-heel shoes where the toes and MTP (metatarsophalangeal) joints typically bear most of the weight in such shoes and come in contact with the footwear linings. The material advantageously not only provides padding, but also absorbs shock to further reduce force placed on the foot by dissipating energy of each footstep. In addition like material may be disposed in the sole of the shoe under the ball of the foot to provide shock absorption and cushioning below as well.