A shoe having a structure with excellent acceleration performance is provided. A shoe includes: a sole made of a soft material, which includes a ground contact surface and also includes a foot contact surface facing a side opposite to the ground contact surface; and an upper combined with the foot contact surface side of the sole. A thickness of the sole at a position corresponding to an MP joint of a wearer is different from a thickness of the sole at a position corresponding to the center of the heel such that an angle between the foot contact surface and the ground contact surface falls within the range of 8 to 16 degrees. Accordingly, a shoe having a structure that provides excellent feeling of acceleration is provided.

Methods of using a foot device are disclosed herein. The foot device includes a generally U-shaped portion having an arcuate portion and first and second legs extending from the arcuate portion. Each leg has an end and a relief area disposed adjacent the respective end. A method of using the foot device comprises engaging the arcuate portion with a heel of a foot to form a first point of contact; positioning the relief area of the first leg proximate a fifth metatarsal head of the foot such that the fifth metatarsal head drops to form a second point of contact; and positioning the relief area of the second leg proximate a first metatarsal head of the foot such that the first metatarsal head drops to form a third point of contact, wherein the first, second, and third points of contact form a triangle-shaped contact surface.

A bladder for an article of footwear includes a chamber having (i) an arcuate segment extending from a first transition to a second transition, (ii) a first plurality of elongate segments extending in a first direction from the first transition to a first terminal end, and (iii) a second plurality of elongate segments spaced apart from the first plurality of elongate segments and extending in the first direction from the second transition to a second terminal end. The bladder also includes a web area connecting the arcuate segment, the first plurality of elongate segments, and the second plurality of elongate segments and extending to a terminal edge spaced apart from each of the first terminal end and the second terminal end.

An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a forefoot region disposed adjacent an anterior end, a heel region disposed adjacent a posterior end, and a mid-foot region disposed intermediate the forefoot region and the heel region. The sole structure further includes fluid-filled bladder having a first segment extending along a medial side in the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side in the heel region, and a web area disposed between the first segment and the second segment. Additionally, the sole structure includes an outer sole member having an upper portion extending from a first end in the forefoot region to a second end in the heel region. The second end of the outer sole member is received on a first side of the web area. The outer sole member also includes a rib extending downwardly from the upper portion and defining a cavity.

An orthotic insole comprising top, middle, and bottom layers. The top layer is in contact with a wearer's foot or a wrap of material, the bottom layer is adjacent to an outsole of the shoe, and the middle layer is positioned therebetween. The top layer has substantially the same width and length of the entire insole. The middle layer is a generally j-shaped strip which provides a rearfoot posting within the insole and a cupping effect to a wearer's heel. The middle layer may have a similar overall width as the top layer but may include a shorter length than the top layer such that the middle layer only extends from the heel to approximately the joint of the fifth metatarsal bone. The bottom layer may be more rigid than the other two layers, and may further include a rigid plate. The insole may further include an arch support integrally formed within one or more of the layers or a cushioning layer with one or more cushioning segments on top of the top layer.

A foot engagement device includes a generally U-shaped portion having an inner edge, an outer wall, and a tapered upper surface extending from the inner edge to the outer wall. The upper surface tapers between 1 degree and 45 degrees from the inner edge to the outer wall.

An article of footwear including an upper and a sole secured to the upper, where the sole includes an upper surface. A support member is positioned on the sole, and includes at least one portion positioned a designated distance above the upper surface of the sole to form a space between the support member and the sole, where the portion of the support member moves through the space and toward the upper surface of the sole when pressure is applied to the portion of the support member, and flexes away from the upper surface when pressure is decreased or released from the portion of the support member.

A fluid-filled chamber includes first subchamber having a substantially U-shape. The fluid-filled chamber also includes a second subchamber having a substantially U-shape and being spaced apart from the first subchamber in a direction extending along a longitudinal axis of the fluid-filled chamber.

A bladder for an article of footwear includes a chamber having (i) an arcuate segment extending from a first transition to a second transition, (ii) a first plurality of elongate segments extending in a first direction from the first transition to a first terminal end, and (iii) a second plurality of elongate segments spaced apart from the first plurality of elongate segments and extending in the first direction from the second transition to a second terminal end. The bladder also includes a web area connecting the arcuate segment, the first plurality of elongate segments, and the second plurality of elongate segments and extending to a terminal edge spaced apart from each of the first terminal end and the second terminal end.