Comfortable, protective, durable, and lightweight footwear with minimal component parts. Both the footwear and the method of constructing the same is streamlined.

Systems and methods are described for a shoe sole for relieving pressure from a wearer's metatarsal heads. In one aspect, a shoe sole comprises a shoe outer sole comprising a shaft region, a ball region, and a toe region. The shaft region underlies metatarsal shafts of the wearer and comprises a first lower surface, the ball region underlies metatarsal heads of the wearer and comprises a second lower surface, and the toe region underlies phalanges of the wearer and comprises a third lower surface. The second lower surface is raised relative to the first lower surface and the third lower surface.

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.

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.

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.

A method for manufacturing stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is provided. The stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively applied to the foot of a patient for providing relief from plantar fasciitis. A portion of the stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively attached to the bottom surface of the foot for reducing stress on the plantar fascia.

A method for manufacturing stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is provided. The stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively applied to the foot of a patient for providing relief from plantar fasciitis. A portion of the stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively attached to the bottom surface of the foot for reducing stress on the plantar fascia.

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.

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.

A sole or insole for an orthopedic shoe for persons with hallux valgus. The sole or insole includes a main part located at least under and supporting the Digitis Pedis II to V and the ball of the foot, and an element movably connected to the main part that is located under and supports the Digitis Pedis I. The main part of the sole or insole includes a cavity under the Digitis Pedis II to V and/or the transverse arch of the foot that contains a hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, electric or other device that causes rotary movement of the moveable element in the horizontal plane laterally away from the main part during a walking movement, in particular caused by the compressive force caused by the wearer’s own weight on the sole or insole.