A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

The present invention generally relates to therapeutic footwear such as sandals, conventional shoes, and corrective inserts that may be inserted into conventional shoes. Specifically, the therapeutic footwear may be used for maintaining, correcting, or repositioning the great toe to decrease pressure on the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint or bunion. Additional therapeutic features may include spreading of the wearer's toes, supporting the wearer's arch to control excessive pronation, and providing sustained heel cord stretch at rest, during ambulation, pedicure, and before, during, or after medical treatment.

A foot alignment adjuster for placement in a pointe shoe includes an adjustment pad having a top surface and a bottom surface and configured to fit in a dance shoe under a dancer's forefoot. The adjustment pad has a front edge shaped to be placed at a front of the dance shoe, a back edge, a first side, and a second side. The front edge defines a first front corner with the first side and a second front corner with the second side and the back edge defines a first back corner with the first side and a second back corner with the second side. A thickness of the adjustment pad may increase from the first side to the second side; and a thickness of the adjustment pad may change from the back edge to the front edge.

Embodiments are directed to an insole for footwear. The insole preferably includes a bottom surface, a peripheral sidewall, and a relief. The bottom surface has a perimeter, and the peripheral sidewall preferably extends upward from the perimeter of the bottom surface. The relief is preferably disposed in the peripheral sidewall.

An insole having a top sheet, a base layer, a forefoot pad, a heel cushion, and stability cradle. The forefoot pad can be made a blown EVA or other material, and the heel cushion can be made of a clear TPR, soft polyurethane or blown EVA. A heel cup surrounds the exterior back by a heel cup, and a heel pod opening and midfoot pod opening is located in the stability cradle for allowing placement of heel pads and midfoot pads in a replacement manner. There is also a soft metatarsal raised dome on the top (foot contact) surface of the insole which would be directly above the metatarsal midfoot area.

Disclosed herein are a device for exercising intrinsic foot muscles. The device comprises a base formed of a visco-elastic material and a solid toe plate coupled to a top of the base. The toe plate is shaped to receive the curvature of the bottom of human toes so as to distribute a counterforce from pressure applied by one or more of a plurality of a person's toes among the plurality of the person's toes. The base is configured to compress as a result of the pressure received when the toe plate is gripped by the person's toes while the person's foot is positioned on top of the base. The device may be useful for treatment of plantar fasciitis, among other conditions.

The soft boot and liner include a moisture transfer system that includes an inner fabric layer carefully selected from technically advanced fabrics. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, spacer fabrics and breathable membranes, in various orders. Encapsulation technology and waterproofing are used as well. The outer fabric layer is also capable of working with the other layers to promote the transfer of moisture. Frothed foams and flocking with fibers are further characteristics of the present invention. The moisture transfer system is incorporated into a soft boot or skate or as a removable liner for a shell boot. Numerous other modifications and applications are disclosed.

An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. The sensor system also includes a port that is configured to receive a module to place the module in communication with the sensors. The port includes a housing with a chamber configured to receive the module and an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber. Additional retaining structure and interface structure may be included.

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.

The present invention relates to a retrofit plantar nerve protecting shoe sole for minimizing Solus Neuralgia or SNA, intense nerve pain in the sole of the foot, induced by high heel, rigid, or thin sole shoes by abating trauma causing repetitive wave energy, generated by walking, from impacting certain of the plantar nerves located between the arch of foot and toes. The sole is a pliable material having relief cutouts. Alignment indicia aids in orientating the sole with a foot in a shoe so that the relief cutouts are substantially positioned around and below the projected location of plantar nerves. An adhesive holds the sole in place on the outsole of the shoe. Optional toe-bridges lift toes to further abate nerve injury.