A sole structure for an article of footwear may have a midsole system that includes a sole plate having a forefoot region and a midfoot region. The sole plate may have a foot-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite to the foot-facing surface. The sole plate may define a through hole extending from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface in the forefoot region. The through hole may be closer to a medial edge of the sole plate than to a lateral edge of the sole plate. The sole plate may have ridges extending longitudinally in the midfoot region and in the forefoot region. The ridges may have crests at least some of which may extend non-parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction of the sole plate.

A component for a shoe, intended to be interposed between a foot and the ground, is delimited by an upper surface which, in use, is turned towards the foot. The upper surface comprises a load-bearing region in which at least one recess is made, the recess being configured to receive at least one metatarsal head of the foot, so that in the load-bearing region a plurality of metatarsal support levels is defined, the metatarsal support levels being placed at different heights from one another and being intended to support the metatarsal heads of the foot. The plurality of metatarsal support levels comprises, in the more simplified embodiment, two different metatarsal support levels. In a more complex embodiment, three different metatarsal support levels are provided. In a more complete embodiment, five different metatarsal support levels are provided.

A component for a shoe, intended to be interposed between a foot and the ground, is delimited by an upper surface which, in use, is turned towards the foot. The upper surface comprises a load-bearing region in which at least one recess is made, the recess being configured to receive at least one metatarsal head of the foot, so that in the load-bearing region a plurality of metatarsal support levels is defined, the metatarsal support levels being placed at different heights from one another and being intended to support the metatarsal heads of the foot. The plurality of metatarsal support levels comprises, in the more simplified embodiment, two different metatarsal support levels. In a more complex embodiment, three different metatarsal support levels are provided. In a more complete embodiment, five different metatarsal support levels are provided.

A sole structure for a shoe that can secure cushioning properties and obtain a ground surface information is disclosed. The sole structure includes a first midsole having a plurality of first protrusions on a foot-sole-contact side, an outsole having a plurality of second protrusions on a ground surface side, and a second midsole disposed at a part of a region between the first midsole and the outsole and having a lower compressive rigidity than the first midsole. At least a part of the plurality of first protrusions of the first midsole is located at a position corresponding vertically to at least a part of the plurality of second protrusions of the outsole.

An elongate strap support system for anatomical support, pain reduction, or therapeutic treatment includes a package containing a first elongate strap support and at least one additional elongate strap support. In one example, the first elongate strap support includes a woven fabric support layer including synthetic fibers. The woven fabric is shaped so as to form an elongated strap with rounded portions. The woven fabric is substantially resistant to stretching in one direction under such test conditions as those specified in ASTM D3759. The first elongate strap support additionally includes an adhesive layer on the support layer for adhesive attachment of the woven fabric support layer to an outer skin surface of a body and a removable cover layer on the adhesive layer.

An elongate strap support system for anatomical support, pain reduction, or therapeutic treatment includes a package containing a first elongate strap support and at least one additional elongate strap support. In one example, the first elongate strap support includes a woven fabric support layer including synthetic fibers. The woven fabric is shaped so as to form an elongated strap with rounded portions. The woven fabric is substantially resistant to stretching in one direction under such test conditions as those specified in ASTM D3759. The first elongate strap support additionally includes an adhesive layer on the support layer for adhesive attachment of the woven fabric support layer to an outer skin surface of a body and a removable cover layer on the adhesive layer.

A trim to fit insole for insertion into a shoe has a raised metatarsal pad on the insole upper surface, wherein the raised metatarsal pad has a first region rising at a slope inboard from a medial edge of the insole board, and configured to underlie the first metatarsal head of the wearer, a second, raised top surface region configured to underlie the second to fourth metatarsal shafts of the wearer, and a third region sloping downward towards the lateral edge of the insole configured to underlie the fifth metatarsal shaft of the wearer, wherein all three regions cooperate to evert the first metatarsal and to invert the fifth metatarsal of the wearer.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.

Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.

Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.