A shoe including a sole and an upper. The upper is coupled to the sole. The upper includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the outer layer is in direct contact with the inner layer. The outer layer is a hot melt thermoplastic material, and the inner layer is a material different from that of the outer layer. At least a portion of the outer layer is adhered to the inner layer, and the inner layer including a portion not covered by the outer layer.

A shoe including a sole and an upper. The upper is coupled to the sole. The upper includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the outer layer is in direct contact with the inner layer. The outer layer is a hot melt thermoplastic material, and the inner layer is a material different from that of the outer layer. At least a portion of the outer layer is adhered to the inner layer, and the inner layer including a portion not covered by the outer layer.

A sole construction (10) for use in a high heel shoe (60) comprises at least a first skeleton sole (11) formed from a composite material such as a carbon fibre material. The skeleton sole (11) has lasting allowances (15) defined around the perimeter thereof and adapted to receive the edges of a shoe upper (61) when incorporated in a high heel shoe (60). The skeleton sole (11) is further shaped so as to define one or more recesses (16) generally centrally therein. When incorporated into a high heel shoe (60), the enhanced strength, rigidity and flexibility of the sole construction (10) allow for the use of a range of interchangeable heel constructions (30,40,50) having different heel heights.

A shoe for simulating exercising on natural granular material. The shoe includes a shoe upper, a shoe outsole and a flexible midsole guard element that forms a chamber between the shoe upper and the outsole. The shoe further includes at least one bladder located in the chamber and that is attached to the shoe upper. The bladder includes synthetic granular material having a simulation distribution of synthetic granular material for simulating exercising on natural granular material. The bladder is compressed by the shoe upper during exercise to displace the synthetic granular material wherein the bladder is subsequently expanded by upward movement of the shoe upper during exercise to redistribute the synthetic granular material and again form a simulation distribution of synthetic granular material.

A footwear construction capable of incorporating one to three or more platform layers, or no platform layers at all. The invention comprises a kit including a sneaker member, optionally includable in the final construction first second and third platform members, guide members, optionally in sets of three, suitable for inclusion in a constructed footwear item with one, two or three platform members, and a tread its sole member, optionally replaceable by other types of soles.

A footwear construction capable of incorporating one to three or more platform layers, or no platform layers at all. The invention comprises a kit including a sneaker member, optionally includable in the final construction first second and third platform members, guide members, optionally in sets of three, suitable for inclusion in a constructed footwear item with one, two or three platform members, and a tread its sole member, optionally replaceable by other types of soles.

A footwear construction capable of incorporating one to three platform layers, or no platform layers at all. The invention comprises a kit including a sneaker member, optionally includable in the final construction first second and third platform members, guide members, optionally in sets of three, suitable for inclusion in a constructed footwear item with one, two or three platform members, and a tread its sole member, optionally replaceable by other types of soles.

A footwear construction capable of incorporating one to three platform layers, or no platform layers at all. The invention comprises a kit including a sneaker member, optionally includable in the final construction first second and third platform members, guide members, optionally in sets of three, suitable for inclusion in a constructed footwear item with one, two or three platform members, and a tread its sole member, optionally replaceable by other types of soles.

A shoe including a sole and an upper. The upper is coupled to the sole. The upper includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the outer layer is in direct contact with the inner layer. The outer layer is a hot melt thermoplastic material, and the inner layer is a material different from that of the outer layer. At least a portion of the outer layer is adhered to the inner layer, and the inner layer including a portion not covered by the outer layer.

A shoe for simulating exercising on natural granular material. The shoe includes a shoe upper, a shoe outsole and a flexible midsole guard element that forms a chamber between the shoe upper and the outsole. The shoe further includes at least one bladder located in the chamber and that is attached to the shoe upper. The bladder includes synthetic granular material having a simulation distribution of synthetic granular material for simulating exercising on natural granular material. The bladder is compressed by the shoe upper during exercise to displace the synthetic granular material wherein the bladder is subsequently expanded by upward movement of the shoe upper during exercise to redistribute the synthetic granular material and again form a simulation distribution of synthetic granular material.