A shoe with an integral orthotic or propulsion plate is provided that includes a shoe defining an upper and a sole, and an orthotic or propulsion plate positioned between the upper of the shoe and the sole of the shoe. The orthotic or propulsion plate defines a toe platform region, a longitudinal arch pad region, and a heel region. In the absence of an applied force to the top surface of the orthotic or propulsion plate and with the sole of the shoe resting on a horizontal surface, the orthotic or propulsion plate bows upward in the longitudinal arch pad region relative to the toe platform region and the heel region. In response to a force being applied to the top surface of the orthotic or propulsion plate, the bowed longitudinal arch pad region flexes downward relative to the toe pad region and the heel region to load a first preload force in the orthotic or propulsion plate. In response to the heel region thereafter moving upward, the bowed longitudinal arch pad flexes upward and the first pre-load force is released to deliver a propulsive force to the top surface of the orthotic or propulsion plate; and the orthotic or propulsion plate flexes to define a flex angle between the toe platform region and the longitudinal arch pad region and to load a second pre-load force into the orthotic or propulsion plate. In response to the toe platform region thereafter moving upward, the orthotic or propulsion plate returns from its flexed position to eliminate the flex angle ; and the second pre-load force is released to deliver a propulsive force to the top surface of the orthotic or propulsion plate.

An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a midsole. A first midsole impact force attenuation structure or system is arranged at least within the toe region of the midsole. A second midsole impact force attenuation structure or system is arranged at least within the heel region of the midsole, such that the second midsole impact force attenuation structure or system includes a molded heel region member extending from a lateral side of the article of footwear to a medial side; the heel region member having a hollow central region defined by a first radius of curvature in a direction toward the toe region and a second radius of curvature in a direction toward the heel region. The first radius of curvature is different from the second radius of curvature. The heel region member may be in an asymmetrical stiffness construction.

An article of footwear has a shoe upper, a sole connected to the shoe upper and the sole is provided with peripheral walls which together define a cavity therein. A layer of material extends across and is connected to the walls or adjacent to the walls at a perimeter of the layer of material, the layer of material dividing the cavity into at least a first chamber and a second chamber. The layer of material and the walls on one side of the perimeter of the layer of material define the first chamber, and the layer of material and the walls on the other side of the perimeter of the layer of material define the second chamber. The sole is configured such that movement of the layer of material within the cavity causes simultaneous changing of interior volume between the chambers and thus pumping of air into or out of the chambers for air circulation of the article of footwear.

A sole structure for an article of footwear with an upper and a top portion attached to the upper. The sole structure can include an outsole with a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion. The front portion and the middle portion of the outsole can be attached to the top portion. A front spacing can be defined between the front portion of the outsole and the top portion, and a rear spacing can be defined between the rear portion of the outsole and the top portion. Further, the sole structure can include at least one of a spike, a tooth, or a barb extending from a bottom surface of the outsole.

A footwear article includes a foot-attachment structure configured to attach to a foot, and longitudinally opposite front and rear ends. The footwear article further includes a downward-facing exposed sole surface. A cantilever extension, in a natural condition, adjoins the sole surface at a junction, and projects rearwardly and downwardly from the junction. The extension has a proximal end and a distal end that are longitudinally opposite each other. The extension is supported at only the proximal end. The extension is configured to elastically resist upward rotation of the extension toward the sole, and is configured to be pushed upward toward the sole by the upward force.

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.

Support plates, and footwear soles and articles of footwear containing the same. The support plate generally may provide one or more of heel cushioning, arch support in a midfoot region of the support plate, and integral medial and lateral legs extending from the midfoot region of the support plate towards an anterior end of the support plate. An article of footwear may include a support plate at least partially embedded within a sole assembly, such as a midsole thereof. The support plate may be configured to provide energy return and arch support to a wearer of the article of footwear. The support plate may include a domed structure with radially extending arms extending from a central heel portion, where the domed structure provides heel cushioning to the wearer when a force is transmitted through the midsole to the domed structure.

An article of footwear having a tapered heel in part defining an impact point associated with a padded impact zone which first strikes a surface upon a foot plant and a plate embedded within a sole of the article such that the plate supports the heel of the sole from flexing or collapsing, the impact point positioned anterior a pivot point of the wearer's ankle. In one aspect the plate avoids positioning at a lateral midfoot area of the sole to allow for impact zone padding and promotes avoiding or reducing heel strike forces when walking or running.

A sole structure may include multiple macrolayers. Each of those macrolayers may include a spring plate and a layer of damping material. Macrolayers may be bonded or otherwise fixed relative to one another and provide constrained layer damping in response to impact forces occurring as a result of activity of a wearer of an article of footwear incorporating the sole structure.