A plurality of fluid-filled chambers may be incorporated into sole structures of articles of footwear. The chambers may be configured to be substantially diamond-shaped. The chambers may lie within cavities formed by a lower surface of the midsole and may extend into apertures in the outsole. The apertures in the outsole may be aligned with the cavities of the midsole. The chambers may be bounded by bounding regions between and at the perimeter of the chambers. The bounding regions may be formed of a polymer foam material of the midsole. The chambers may additionally be connected.

A plurality of fluid-filled chambers may be incorporated into sole structures of articles of footwear. The chambers may be configured to be substantially diamond-shaped. The chambers may lie within cavities formed by a lower surface of the midsole and may extend into apertures in the outsole. The apertures in the outsole may be aligned with the cavities of the midsole. The chambers may be bounded by bounding regions between and at the perimeter of the chambers. The bounding regions may be formed of a polymer foam material of the midsole. The chambers may additionally be connected.

A footbed system for footwear comprises an insole mechanism, a midsole mechanism, wherein the insole mechanism is positioned on the midsole mechanism, and the outsole mechanism is positioned under the midsole mechanism. The insole mechanism comprises a footbed insole, a heel pad and a forefoot pad. The footbed insole comprises a pad anatomically shaped to correspond to the sole of a human foot, wherein the heel pad is positioned in the hindfoot portion of the footbed insole, and the forefoot pad is positioned in the forefoot portion of the footbed insole. The outsole mechanism comprises an opening for exposing a natural gait line groove of the midsole mechanism.

There are disclosed high heel shoes where separate components combine to create load balancing internal footwear technology. A two-piece system includes interlocking toe bed and shank constructed of complex three dimensional curved surfaces which create an intricately sculpted volume to provide structural support down the length of the entire foot. The toe bed provides a wide base and keeps the big toe pointed straight (at an approximately 10 angle). A heel maximizes the surface area of the bottom of the heel at the point of strike with the ground while retaining a minimal and aesthetically appealing silhouette from the side view. The toe bed and shank feature a composition of layered materials which when combined work to provide both stability and shock absorption to the ball of the foot during the foot strike of walking. An internal support structure provides a padded barrier and intermediary between the rigidity of the shank and the softness of the shoe upper.

An orthotic device for insertion into footwear for correcting over pronation or supination of a foot is disclosed herein. The orthotic device may include an insole comprising an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the insole may receive and support at least a portion of the foot. The orthotic device also may include a removable angle insert attachable to the lower surface of the insole. The removable angle insert may increase an angle about a side of the insole to correct over pronation or supination of the foot.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes an outsole, a plate disposed between the outsole and the upper, and a first cushioning layer. The plate includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use. The first cushioning layer is disposed between the concave portion and the upper.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes an outsole, a plate disposed between the outsole and the upper, and a first cushioning layer. The plate includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use. The first cushioning layer is disposed between the concave portion and the upper.

Orthotics or other footwear inserts including a set of separate and incrementally different inserts sized and adapted for a right and/or left foot. One such insert in said set has a first corrective structure and at least another such insert has a second corrective structure. The second corrective structure including at least an incremental change in one or more of curvature, thickness and firmness of at least one sidemost portion of said insert in said set as compared to the first corrective structure and a corrective structure of each other said insert in said set. The inserts in the set have a progressive sequence based on the increase or decrease in one of the curvature, thickness and firmness, are adapted to be worn one at a time for a period of time sequentially based on the progressive sequence and also include at least one internal sipe.

Shoes and/or shoe elements facilitate natural foot motion and/or reduce forces tending to fight natural foot motion. In at least some such structures, a wearer's heel is secured to the hindfoot region of a shoe (e.g., by a strap system) in a manner that permits heel/forefoot rotation and that allows the lower leg to remain straight. In other structures, a shoe can include a heel supporting component that is separate from a midsole component, and this heel supporting component can move toward the lateral side and/or medial side of the shoe along an interface between the heel supporting component and the midsole component. Other suitable shoe and shoe component structures also are described.

A cushioning sole for footwear includes a heel portion, an opening, and a cushioning slide. The heel portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The opening extends vertically through the heel portion from the bottom surface to the top surface. The cushioning slide is disposed in the opening and extends out from the top surface and out from the bottom surface.