A strobel for an article of footwear includes a base layer and an upper layer formed of a polymer material covering a portion of the top surface of the base layer, leaving a portion of the top surface of the base layer exposed about an entire periphery of the base layer. The upper layer is directly bonded to the base layer without any fastening members. A method of forming the strobel is also disclosed.

An article of footwear has an upper that is direct attached with the sole in a article of footwear mold. The sole has a film extending up sidewalls of the sole to a film edge that is prior to the sidewall and the upper joining. Method of manufacture of the article of footwear includes steps of positioning a film over a mold cavity and then securing the film to the mold. The film is heated and then drawn into the mold cavity under a vacuum. The film forms a liner of the mold cavity. A foam composition is injected into the lined mold cavity. As the foam composition expands, the foam composition interacts with and mechanically engages with the upper that is poisoned at the mold cavity to allow for the mechanical engagement that results in the direct attach of the sole to the upper.

An article of footwear has an upper that is direct attached with the sole in a article of footwear mold. The sole has a film extending up sidewalls of the sole to a film edge that is prior to the sidewall and the upper joining. Method of manufacture of the article of footwear includes steps of positioning a film over a mold cavity and then securing the film to the mold. The film is heated and then drawn into the mold cavity under a vacuum. The film forms a liner of the mold cavity. A foam composition is injected into the lined mold cavity. As the foam composition expands, the foam composition interacts with and mechanically engages with the upper that is poisoned at the mold cavity to allow for the mechanical engagement that results in the direct attach of the sole to the upper.

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 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.

Embodiments are directed to an insole for footwear. The insole preferably includes a bottom surface, a peripheral sidewall, and a relief. The bottom surface has a perimeter, and the peripheral sidewall preferably extends upward from the perimeter of the bottom surface. The relief is preferably disposed in the peripheral sidewall.

An insole is provided. This insole features a front end, a thickness, a top surface, a bottom surface, a heel receiving portion having a first end and a second end, a lateral longitudinal arch support section which has a width, and a medial longitudinal arch support section. Preferably, the medial longitudinal arch support section is made up of a partial spherical cap which has a radius and a height, and the medial longitudinal arch support section runs from the first end of said heel receiving portion to the lateral longitudinal arch support section.

An insole is provided. This insole features a front end, a thickness, a top surface, a bottom surface, a heel receiving portion having a first end and a second end, a lateral longitudinal arch support section which has a width, and a medial longitudinal arch support section. Preferably, the medial longitudinal arch support section is made up of a partial spherical cap which has a radius and a height, and the medial longitudinal arch support section runs from the first end of said heel receiving portion to the lateral longitudinal arch support section.

A shoe, particularly a high-heeled shoe, containing a convex midfoot support structure formed of a cushioning material that is sized and shaped to have a height (h.sub.1) sufficient to contact and to support at least a portion of the midfoot area of the wearer's foot. The midfoot support may be constructed of an elastomeric material with a maximum thickness of between 10 mm and 22 mm, and includes a support platform and side walls. Preferably, a forefoot support may also be provided on the upper surface of the insole in the forefoot portion of the insole.

A shoe, particularly a high-heeled shoe, containing a convex midfoot support structure formed of a cushioning material that is sized and shaped to have a height (h.sub.1) sufficient to contact and to support at least a portion of the midfoot area of the wearer's foot. The midfoot support may be constructed of an elastomeric material with a maximum thickness of between 10 mm and 22 mm, and includes a support platform and side walls. Preferably, a forefoot support may also be provided on the upper surface of the insole in the forefoot portion of the insole.