Proposed is smart lifting shoes for taking exercise, each shoe including: an outsole configured to have combination through-holes that correspond to portions, respectively, of the sole, to have an accommodation groove in a center of an upper part thereof, the center corresponding to a center of the sole, and to have a connection groove; sensor units within upper portions of the combination through-holes, respectively; a controller including: a pressure reception module within the accommodation groove and receiving pressure information measured by the sensor units; a balance measurement module computing a balance of the sole on the basis of the pressure information and generating balance information; a power supply module supplying power; and a communication module transmitting the pressure information and the balance information; and adjustment enabling portions, each having a terminal portion on an upper part thereof, that are closely connected into the combination through-holes, respectively.

An insole for an article of footwear has a shape corresponding to an inner bottom of the footwear and includes, on its upper side, a protrusion having three apexes. With respect to total length from a toe-side end to a heel-side end, the protrusion extends from a position at about ⅖ to a position at about ⅘ of the total length from the toe-side end. The three apexes include a first apex located substantially at the center of the total length and substantially at the center in a width direction of the insole, and second and third apexes arranged in the width direction at positions at about ⅔ of the total length from the toe-side end. The second apex is located at a medial-side edge of the insole. The third apex is located at about ¼ of a length in the width direction of the insole from its lateral-side edge.

A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

A sole (100) or inner sole for a shoe is provided. The sole (100) or inner sole comprises: a toe region (28) for supporting a user's toes; a forefoot region (26) for supporting a user's forefoot; a midfoot region (24) for supporting a user's arch; and a heel region (22) for supporting a user's heel. A longitudinal direction (X) extends from the heel region (22) towards the toe region (28). A lateral direction (Y) transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) extends from an inner side to an outer side of the sole (100) or inner sole. A plurality of force sensors (10) distributed throughout the sole (100) or inner sole. The plurality of force sensors (10) comprise: a first lateral row of force sensors (10) in the toe region (28); a second lateral row of force sensors (10) in the forefoot region (26); a first longitudinal row of force sensors (10) along the inner side of the sole (100) or inner sole from the heel region (22) to the midfoot region (24); and a second longitudinal row of force sensors (10) along the outer side of the sole (100) or inner sole from the heel region (22) to the midfoot region (24).

The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear having a sole structure effective to increase traction on a support surface. The article of footwear includes a sole structure comprising a first sole structure and a second sole structure. The article of footwear includes a forefoot region, midfoot region, and hindfoot region. The first sole structure is disposed in the forefoot and hindfoot regions. The second sole structure is disposed in the midfoot region. An extension of the second sole structure that extends through the forefoot region is substantially covered by the first sole structure. A plurality of lugs extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the first sole structure. At least one lug extends downwardly from the extension of the second sole structure through the first sole structure. The first sole structure and the second sole structure have different durometers.

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.

There is provided an orthosis that includes an insole having a lateral side portion and a medial side portion. The medial side portion is formed from a first material having a first density and the lateral side portion formed from a second material having a second density, wherein the second density is greater than the first density. The medial side portion and the lateral side portion join at an oblique angle. In addition, the medial side portion of the insole has a contoured arch support portion. In some embodiments, the orthosis further includes a lateral wedge coupled to a bottom of the insole, wherein the lateral wedge having an opposite side thereof positioned at a lateral side of the orthosis.

A material includes a support layer comprising a woven fiber layer less than 30 mils thick. The support layer includes an elongate strap support. The support layer has a ratio of elongation to tensile strength (lb/in-width) that is less than 0.9 in a first direction and greater than 0.9 in a perpendicular second direction. The material additionally includes an adhesive layer on said support layer for adhesive attachment of said support layer to the outer skin surface of a user and a removable cover layer on said adhesive layer. Methods of use of the material and elongate strap support(s) to a human body include providing anatomical support or therapeutic effects.

A removable insole for insertion into footwear, comprises a forefoot portion integral to the insole and extending at least to a metatarsal of a foot and including a resilient layer, the resilient layer including at least two non-contiguous resilient layer sections (including a big toe section). The at least two non-contiguous resilient sections include at least four resilient layer subsections in some embodiments, a continuous rear portion that includes a medial longitudinal arch support portion, a heel surrounding portion and a lateral longitudinal arch support portion; and a heel portion. In some embodiments, the forefoot is customizable by having different levels of hardness for the subsections and big toe section. The insole is therefore tailored a particular sport. The medial longitudinal arch support portion includes a detachable cushion configured to adjust a height of the medial longitudinal arch and to support the foot during pronation of the foot.

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.