A high heel shoe that contains a sole insert that includes a forward region supporting the forefoot and a reduced thickness or cut out area disposed beneath the first metatarsal head. The reduced thickness or cut out area provides less support to the first metatarsal head than is provided to other areas of the forward region that support the forefoot. The rear region supports the midfoot and the rearfoot including the heel, with the rear region extending from the forefoot to the back of the optional heel. An arch support may also be provided. Also disclosed are the sole insert itself, methods of making the sole insert and methods of making shoes that contain the sole insert.

A sockliner includes: a base layer portion formed of a three-dimensional mesh structure body; and an upper layer portion formed of a sheet-like structure body that covers an upper surface of the base layer portion. The upper layer portion includes a through-hole group including a plurality of holes, and each of the holes is located inward from a peripheral edge of the upper layer portion without reaching the peripheral edge. In a case where a surrounding region is defined as a region between the peripheral edge and a position offset by 4.0 mm inward from the peripheral edge, the through-hole group includes an outermost hole group including a plurality of holes located closest to the peripheral edge so as to overlap with the surrounding region and to align along the peripheral edge.

A sockliner includes: a base layer portion formed of a three-dimensional mesh structure body; and an upper layer portion formed of a sheet-like structure body that covers an upper surface of the base layer portion. The upper layer portion includes a through-hole group including a plurality of holes, and each of the holes is located inward from a peripheral edge of the upper layer portion without reaching the peripheral edge. In a case where a surrounding region is defined as a region between the peripheral edge and a position offset by 4.0 mm inward from the peripheral edge, the through-hole group includes an outermost hole group including a plurality of holes located closest to the peripheral edge so as to overlap with the surrounding region and to align along the peripheral edge.

In some examples, a sole layer for a footwear includes a housing structure, a cell in the housing structure, a solid support inside the cell to maintain a shape of the cell, and an inlet to the cell to receive an injected material to dissolve the solid support.

In some examples, a sole layer for a footwear includes a housing structure, a cell in the housing structure, a solid support inside the cell to maintain a shape of the cell, and an inlet to the cell to receive an injected material to dissolve the solid support.

A method of making a steaming apparatus for an article of footwear includes providing a set of sheets and applying a series of welds and cuts to the sheets. The resulting steaming apparatus can have a steaming chamber adjoined to a plurality of wing portions. The apparatus also includes provisions for securing the article of footwear within the steaming chamber such that a majority of the upper is subjected to steam. Articles of footwear may be placed in the steaming system to help customize the articles of apparel for a user's fit and comfort.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface. The midsole has a footbed, a bottom surface, and a series of channels extending therethrough. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a series of pins each having a post extending through corresponding ones of the series of channels between a first end and a second end. The first end extends into the cavity outward from the bottom surface of the midsole and the second end extends into the interior void outward from the footbed of the midsole. The article of footwear also includes a resilient member that engages the first end of each of the series of pins and biases the series of pins toward the interior void.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface. The midsole has a footbed, a bottom surface, and a series of channels extending therethrough. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a series of pins each having a post extending through corresponding ones of the series of channels between a first end and a second end. The first end extends into the cavity outward from the bottom surface of the midsole and the second end extends into the interior void outward from the footbed of the midsole. The article of footwear also includes a resilient member that engages the first end of each of the series of pins and biases the series of pins toward the interior void.

Provided is a shoe or device for inserting into a shoe, having a shallow channel on a top side of a contoured insole or shoe, specifically under the 1.sup.st metatarsal shaft of the wearer. The shoe also has a rear region or heel cup positioned to underlying a wearer's calcaneal tuberosity, the rear region being shaped to accommodate a planer surface of the wearer's calcaneal tuberosity, an upper surface of said rear region having a raised portion underlying an area of the wearer's calcaneus immediately forward of the wearer's calcaneus tuberosity.

Provided is a shoe or device for inserting into a shoe, having a shallow channel on a top side of a contoured insole or shoe, specifically under the 1.sup.st metatarsal shaft of the wearer. The shoe also has a rear region or heel cup positioned to underlying a wearer's calcaneal tuberosity, the rear region being shaped to accommodate a planer surface of the wearer's calcaneal tuberosity, an upper surface of said rear region having a raised portion underlying an area of the wearer's calcaneus immediately forward of the wearer's calcaneus tuberosity.