The subject matter of the present disclosure relates, in various embodiments, to improved footwear in the nature of sandals, shoes, sports shoes, running and jogging shoes, civilian and military boots, work boots and work shoes, water shoes, waders, and the like, for personal use in walking on sand and other granular terrain, each item of footwear comprising a distinctively profiled outsole. A left outsole profile is defined by a first radius, and a right outsole profile is defined by a second radius. A line connecting the center of each radius passes through and defines the centers of the side profiles of the outsole. A preferred toe-out or progressive angle of approximately six degrees helps ensure that the outsole, during use, is near the widest position for optimal left and right side balance.

In aspects of the invention, a footwear sole can include a sole member formed of a single unitary layer, wherein the sole member is formed of a compound including ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and rubber. The compound can further include a bulking agent. The compound can further include a foaming agent, a color master agent and a bridging agent. The sole member can include a top surface, the top surface including a plurality of apertures defined in a rear portion of the top surface. The plurality of apertures can define a tapered shape, and a first aperture of the plurality of apertures can have a depth that is less than a second aperture of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures can be arranged in a plurality of rows.

An orthotic support structure or shell may be used with footwear intrinsically or as a removable and transferable device. The footwear may be a sandal assembly including a sole, a strap and an orthotic shell. The strap is attached to the sole and configured to secure the sole against the foot. The orthotic shell is positioned within the sole and formed from a semi-rigid material. The orthotic shell includes a heel portion configured to support a heel region of the foot, and a midfoot portion connected to the heel portion and configured to support an arch region of the foot, the midfoot portion comprising an arched shank having a curved convex shape. The arched shank is configured to deflect under a downward force applied thereon which reactively rotates the heel portion toward the heel region of the foot.

An improved sandal with several orthotic benefits is provided. The sandal has a unique combination of features what will be useful for the treatment and prevention of plantar fasciitis. The improved sandal has a medial split in the medial heel section of the sole. The medial split is designed so that it absorbs more energy than the other parts of the heel and promotes a lateral to medial rotation of the heel portion during the wearer's gait. In a preferred embodiment, the sandal will include a rocker bottom sole and raised bed for the big toe that begins its rise at the metatarsophalangeal joint. In an additional preferred embodiment, the sole of the sandal will also include a metatarsal bar that supports the traverse arch and an upward bend that begins to rise from the sole at a point just forward of the end of the medial split and intersects with the metatarsal bar.

A convertible shoe assembly for converting a shoe between a high heel shoe and a flat shoe includes a sole that can be stood upon by a wearer. A strap is coupled to the sole to form a bridge to retain the sole on the wearer's foot. A heel panel is hingedly coupled to the sole. The heel panel is positionable in a first position has the heel panel lying on a plane is coplanar with the sole. Additionally, the heel panel is positionable in a second position having the heel panel forming an angle with the sole. A pair of heels is provided and each of the heels has a height is different from each other. A respective one of the heels is removably coupled to the heel panel for selecting a height of the heel panel. In this way the sole and the heels can form either a high heel shoe or a flat shoe.

A foldable footwear device may include a fore sole, having a fore upper surface and a fore lower surface, and an aft sole, having an aft upper surface and an aft lower surface. A hinge may pivotally couple the fore sole to the aft sole. The hinge may be configured to enable the fore sole and the aft sole to be moved between a planar position in which the fore upper surface and the aft upper surface may be substantially parallel and continuous with each other and a folded position in which the fore lower surface and aft lower surface may be contacting each other. A fore distal fastener may be coupled to the fore sole, and an aft distal fastener may be coupled to the aft sole. The fore distal fastener may removably engage with the aft distal fastener to secure the device in the folded position.

A sandal including a footbed, a toe securing strap operably coupled to the footbed, an ankle strap operably coupled to the footbed at an ankle attachment location and at a yoke attachment location, and a main strap operably coupled to the footbed at a main attachment location and at the yoke attachment location, where the main attachment location and the yoke attachment location are aligned along a single edge of the footbed.

An item of footwear having an interchangeable sole system, midsoles for such an item of footwear, and related methods for making such midsoles, including a receptacle incorporated in the midsole wherein a portion of the receptacle is configured to complement an engageable element of a sole unit so that a bidirectional stop is provided that helps secure the sole unit to the midsole, and wherein a material property of the receptacle differs from a material property of the midsole so that the midsole provides cushioning to the item of footwear, and the receptacle allows for engagement and disengagement of the engageable element of the sole unit to the midsole without the need for an outsole frame.

The invention described herein is a self-cleaning footwear system comprising a sole, where a plurality of check valves are located within said sole. The plurality of check valves are preferably configured between an upper sole and a lower sole to allow debris to flow downwards but not upwards. The plurality of check valves preferably further comprise flap assemblies, where a length of flexible material preferably further comprises a semi-circular flap on one end. The flexible material is preferably a rubber-type material. The sole could be attached to normal footwear, as shown in a sandal. Alternately, the sole could be attached to any type of footwear.

The present disclosure provides a footwear technology system including a multilayer shoe sole system. The multilayer shoe sole insert can include a lower outsole layer, a midsole layer, and an upper insole layer, wherein the midsole layer includes a plurality of pins extending from the bottom surface of the midsole layer, wherein the pins engage with the pin holes in the outsole layer. The system can include a dynamic upper foot retention system that moves in harmony with the foot's optimal natural movement. The dynamic upper foot retention system can include a top component connecting the lace area to the sole system, and back component that connects the upper heel area to the sole system, wherein when the laces are tightened, the force is directed towards the heel securing the foot to the shoe without forcing the arch down or constricting the raising of the foot arch.