An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.

An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.

A kicking shoe attachment for use by the rider of a kick scooter having an elongated core with a flat upper surface with an upper sole thereupon, and an opposing curvilinear lower surface with a wear resistant lower sole disposed thereupon. Optionally a heel cup connected to a heel cup carrier plate is slidably supported in a heel cup carrier plate receiver. A latching mechanism allows securing the heel cup and carrier plate in a desired position along a major axis of the elongated core. The elongated core may be split apart horizontally and two or more springs, a block of a resilient material or a scissor jack mechanism may be placed between the portions. An opening may be placed in the upper surface of the elongated body to receive the protruding heel of typically a woman's heeled shoe or boot. A removable plug may fill the hole when unneeded.

Footwear is provided that includes an upper portion, an inner sole, an adjustable shock absorbing system, and an outer sole, wherein the adjustable shock absorbing system is positioned within the outer sole or between the outer sole and the inner sole. In some embodiments, the adjustable shock absorbing system includes a first flat spring and a second spring placed inside, and further supporting, the first flat spring. The footwear may be adjusted to provide an appropriate level of shock absorption for individuals of different body weights, using weight as new sizing parameter.

Embodiments of an improved high heel shoe are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the improved high heel shoe can include an upper, a sole at least partially connected to the upper, a heel at least partially connected to the sole, and a platform including a portion of the sole. The platform can include an improved platform assembly comprising a plurality of springs located between the sole and a cover that engages a foot of the wearer.

A shock absorbing shoe with improved assembly and operational performance is provided. The shock absorbing shoe includes: an outsole; an upper sole arranged on the outsole and having a guide portion; a support unit including: a first support body connected to the outsole; and a second support body connected to the upper sole and having a guide part corresponding to the guide portion; an elastic member arranged between the first and second support bodies of the support unit; and a supporting member connected to the first and second support bodies of the support unit, the supporting member being movable upward and downward along the guide portion and the guide part of the second support body.

A running shoe having an improved sole including one or more cushioning elements disposed at or around one or more of the foot's tripod strike points, wherein such cushioning elements may optionally be connected to each other by one or more bridges and the region bounded by the cushioning elements is vertically enlarged to provide added space for various structures of the foot to deform.

A running shoe having an improved sole including one or more cushioning elements disposed at or around one or more of the foot's tripod strike points, wherein such cushioning elements may optionally be connected to each other by one or more bridges and the region bounded by the cushioning elements is vertically enlarged to provide added space for various structures of the foot to deform.