A breathable shoe, including an outsole arranged below a structural insert that is at least partially breathable, and below an upper. The outsole is at least partially breathable, including at least one sheet-like breathable element defined by a plurality of granules made of expanded material and having a uniform size, arranged in a substantially ordered manner and between which there are voids that form one or more channels through the breathable element that are permeable to air and/or vapor.

An insole with puncture-resistant properties for safety footwear. The insole contains a repeating pattern of knit layer groupings and woven layer groupings where the knit layer groupings form the upper and lower surfaces of the insole. Each layer within the knit layer groupings and the woven layer groupings is adhesively bonded to the adjacent layers. The knit layer groupings contain at least two knit layers and the woven layer groupings contain at least two woven layers. Each woven and knit layer contains yarns or fibers having a tenacity of about 5 or more grams per denier in a knit configuration. Each woven and knit layer is impregnated on both sides and at least some of the internal surfaces with about 10 wt. % or less, based on the total weight of the layer, of a coating containing a plurality of particles having a diameter of about 20 m or less.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer; and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

A static electricity discharging shoe with conductive link to ground having a conductive insole contacting with a sole of a foot of a user, and a conductive outer sole contacting with a ground; and an electro-conductive insert, having an upper major and a lower minor base, the insert in electrical communication between the insole and the outer sole, the insert having a lateral geometry proportioned for complemental engagement within a mid-sole situated between the insole and the outer sole, a narrow middle portion of the insert secured within the mid-sole, the upper surface of the insert positioned opposite to the plantar metatarsal region of the sole of the foot proximally to the K-1 acupressure point when the foot abuts the insole, the upper surface of the insert defining a slightly raised pad, having orthopedic benefit in off-loading of metatarsal stresses on the foot in the area of the K-1 point.

A comfort system for Cowboy and work boots, including an insole chassis, an insole chassis backing board, and cushioning pads for absorbing and attenuating shocks encountered by a wearer of the boots. Cushioning pads are secured to a surface of the insole chassis backing board, and apertures in the insole chassis allow the cushions to pass through. Additional cushioning pads are retained in recesses in the midsole. Pads on insole chassis backing board and midsole are vertically aligned. A steel toe inset is utilized in conjunction with the comfort system for work boots. A rim may depend below the midsole to receive a foamed plastic pad.

A method of forming a castless orthotic for a patient's foot in need thereof. The method comprises preparing an orthotic template for the foot wherein the template extends between a heel end and a toe end. In preparing the template the steps of attaching a three-quarter length or full length upper thermoplastic material to a or three-quarter length lower thermoplastic material, or providing a thermoplastic material having a variable thickness such that said thickness decreases from said heel end to said toe end is provided. Then attaching an outer lower layer to the lower thermoplastic material and attaching an outer upper layer to the upper thermoplastic material, or attaching an outer layer to each face of the variable thickness thermoplastic material and heating the prepared orthotic template for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature to soften the orthotic template. A wrap is then placed on top of the foot foam and the foot of the patient is placed on top of the wrap and foot foam. The patient's foot is lifted and the heated orthotic template is placed on top of the wrap and then placing the patient's foot on top of the heated orthotic template. The wrap is placed about the longitudinal axis of the foot to retain the heated orthotic template intermediate the sole of the foot and the foot foam whereby the sides of the orthotic template are particularly supported by the wrap. The method further includes ensuring the foot is positioned over a cuboid support and a medial longitudinal arch support wherein the cuboid support is disposed on the outside of the bottom of the foot and the cuboid support is moved to push the foot upwardly until a resistance is felt, and where the foot is also positioned over the medial longitudinal arch support which is then pushed and pulled upwardly until the foot is moved into a neutral position or if it is unable to be translated or rotated due to until it reaches its end range of motion. At this time, the heel of the patient's foot is lifted to place their weight substantially on the front of their foot and a coolant is applied to at least the heel end of the orthotic template.

A static electricity discharging shoe with conductive link to ground having a conductive insole contacting with a sole of a foot of a user, and a conductive outer sole contacting with a ground; and an electro-conductive insert, having an upper major and a lower minor base, the insert in electrical communication between the insole and the outer sole, the insert having a lateral geometry proportioned for complemental engagement within a mid-sole situated between the insole and the outer sole, a narrow middle portion of the insert secured within the mid-sole, the upper surface of the insert positioned opposite to the plantar metatarsal region of the sole of the foot proximally to the K-1 acupressure point when the foot abuts the insole, the upper surface of the insert defining a slightly raised pad, having orthopedic benefit in off-loading of metatarsal stresses on the foot in the area of the K-1 point.

A footwear stability and comfort system (footwear system) comprises an insole having an anatomic footbed, and footwear incorporating the insole. The disclosed footwear system is designed to provide a cradle around the bottom and sides of the foot for support during flexion while walking, and for proper placement of the foot within the shoe.

An insole board for a high-heel shoe, said insole board includes a heel supporting area having a concave heel cup adapted to underlie a heel of the wearer, a medial arch support area adapted to underlie the arch of the wearer's foot and extending toeward of but short of the ball of the wearer's foot, and a forefoot area adapted to underlie the ball of the foot and forefoot of the wearer. The medial arch support area has a raised contour for supporting a portion of a sole of the wearer's foot underlying the wearer's arch, and the forefoot support area includes a hollow having a resiliently deformable material therein.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer, and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.