The present invention includes a sole that can be used as a dance or a general shoe. The protruding platforms of the sole are arranged, oriented, and dimensioned to permit ruggedness, dancing, and substantial grippiness for both dance moves as well as general wear.

The present invention includes a sole that can be used as a dance or a general shoe. The protruding platforms of the sole are arranged, oriented, and dimensioned to permit ruggedness, dancing, and substantial grippiness for both dance moves as well as general wear.

A shoe sole (1) comprising a stability support plate (3) and a soft elastic midsole (2) having a forefoot area (VFB), a midfoot area (MFB) and a heel area (FB) is disclosed. The stability support plate is peripherally surrounded by the midsole and the midsole (2) has a clear space (21) open to the bottom side (U) of the midsole (2), which is peripherally surrounded substantially completely by the midsole (2) and is delimited by the stability support plate (3). The clear space (21) extends from the heel area (FB) over the midfoot area (MFB) into the forefoot area (VFB) of the midsole (2).

A shoe sole (1) comprising a stability support plate (3) and a soft elastic midsole (2) having a forefoot area (VFB), a midfoot area (MFB) and a heel area (FB) is disclosed. The stability support plate is peripherally surrounded by the midsole and the midsole (2) has a clear space (21) open to the bottom side (U) of the midsole (2), which is peripherally surrounded substantially completely by the midsole (2) and is delimited by the stability support plate (3). The clear space (21) extends from the heel area (FB) over the midfoot area (MFB) into the forefoot area (VFB) of the midsole (2).

The invention provides a shoe with a sole providing a dynamic heel support, the shoe comprising a rubber outsole, a midsole comprising a harder elastic material, a softer elastic material, and at least one insert having a higher elastic hardness than the harder elastic material and the softer elastic material, and a higher resistance against bending, wherein the harder elastic material has elastic hardness in a range 1.3 to 3 times higher than the softer elastic material. The shoe is is distinguished in that the harder elastic material is arranged in a band inside the periphery along the sides and heel of the midsole, wherein the softer elastic material is arranged in the midsole inside the band of the harder elastic material, wherein the at least one insert is arranged within the softer elastic material, at least in the heel part of the midsole, and wherein the thickness of the softer elastic material above the insert in the heel part of the midsole is at least 0.5 times the thickness of the insert and the thickness of the softer elastic material below the insert in the heel part of the midsole is at least 1 times the thickness of the insert as measured at a centreline of the insert, excluding the thickness of any ribs on the inlay.

The invention provides a shoe with a sole providing a dynamic heel support, the shoe comprising a rubber outsole, a midsole comprising a harder elastic material, a softer elastic material, and at least one insert having a higher elastic hardness than the harder elastic material and the softer elastic material, and a higher resistance against bending, wherein the harder elastic material has elastic hardness in a range 1.3 to 3 times higher than the softer elastic material. The shoe is is distinguished in that the harder elastic material is arranged in a band inside the periphery along the sides and heel of the midsole, wherein the softer elastic material is arranged in the midsole inside the band of the harder elastic material, wherein the at least one insert is arranged within the softer elastic material, at least in the heel part of the midsole, and wherein the thickness of the softer elastic material above the insert in the heel part of the midsole is at least 0.5 times the thickness of the insert and the thickness of the softer elastic material below the insert in the heel part of the midsole is at least 1 times the thickness of the insert as measured at a centreline of the insert, excluding the thickness of any ribs on the inlay.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

The article of footwear may include an upper, a heel region having a heel core and a heel perimeter, a forefront region, a medial side, a lateral side, an outsole and a midsole. The midsole may be a dual durometer midsole and include a soft durometer positioned between the heel region and the forefoot region and a firm durometer positioned around the heel perimeter.

Footwear with a reflective strip low on the heel and visible through the outsole. The reflective strip is a strip of reflective material attached horizontally to the back and, optionally, the lateral side of the footbed heel cup, positioned low on the heel cup. Optionally, the reflective strip fits into a depression in the heel cup. The reflective strip is attached to the heel cup either permanently or removably. The outsole heel and lateral side has one or more window cutouts through which the reflective strip is visible. The reflective strip is visible through the heel counter because the heel counter is either transparent, with or without raised sections filling the outsole window cutouts or has a cutout with an optional sheet of transparent protective material outside of the heel counter.