Abstract: A running shoe comprising a front sole of hard plastic material for mounting gripping elements, and a support member arranged behind the rearmost gripping elements, of elastically deformable material. In order to ensure that it is better possible to maintain a foot attitude required for optimum running efficiency, the support member is a wedge member which increases in thickness in a rearward direction and which comprises a relatively hard but elastically pressure-deformable material, wherein the underside thereof is disposed approximately in one plane with the front sole, and the wedge member extends at least with its portion associated with the outer edge of the sole, into the shank region of the sole.

Abstract: A golf shoe sole has a plurality of inserts for releasably mounting gripping elements therein. The inserts are arranged in the front part of the sole in a first line adjacent the outside edge of the sole and a second line adjacent the inside edge of the sole. Associated with those two lines of inserts, at least one further insert, or a further group of inserts, is arranged at a position towards the longitudinal center line of the sole, relative to each of the first and second lines of inserts. The further insert or group of inserts associated with the first line adjacent the outside edge of the sole is disposed in the region of the sole which extends from the outside ball area of the sole to the arch portion of the sole.

Abstract: A gripping element for a sports shoe comprises a body portion of plastic material and a ceramic insert which is embedded into the body portion and which provides the ground-engaging surface of the element. The ceramic insert is surrounded over a part of its length by a metal sleeve which is also embedded into the body portion of the element. At least on its outside peripheral surface around which the metal sleeve extends, the ceramic insert has surface configurations such as annular ribs and/or grooves to provide a positive connection to the plastic material therearound, with a layer of plastic material between the ceramic insert and the metal sleeve.

Abstract: A gripping stud for sports shoes comprises a stud body and a ceramic insert connected to the stud body thereby to form the ground-engaging surface thereof. The stud body comprises a central metal portion and a base portion disposed therearound while the ceramic insert connected to the lower end of the metal portion is of a flat lens-like configuration, with curved top and bottom sides. Alternatively the ceramic insert comprises a plurality of juxtaposed balls embedded in a stud body at the ground-engaging surface of the stud.

Abstract: Cross-country ski binding (1) for cross-country ski shoes (4) with a stretched and downward hook-like front sole end, with a traverse (8) provided to cooperate with the sole end (5) which is arranged in the side jaws (7) extending upwardly from a base plate (6) to be secured to the ski. To maintain in place the front sole end (5) with respect to the traverse (8), there is provided a bridge (9) of a U-shaped stirrup (9, 10) of which the branches (10) are placed by their free ends on the traverse (8). The stirrup (9, 10) is biased by the action of a spring (11) to tighten the front end of the sole (5). The shoes (4) may pivot about the traverse (8) to respond to the resistance of spring (11).

Abstract: A running sole for a shoe comprising a sole body 1, having a generally longitudinally extending first recess 5 extending from the one edge of the sole and at least one laterally extending second recess 6, 7, extending from the side edges of the sole in the heel region, said at least one second recess intersecting the first recess, a first supporting body 10 of springably compressible and/or flexible supporting material exchangeably inserted in said first recess and having at least one opening 11 inside thereof aligned with the second recess 6, 7, and at least one second similar supporting body 16, 17 inserted in said second recess(s) 6, 7 and engaging in said opening or openings to lock said supporting bodies in position.