Abstract: Footwear for covering a foot of a wearer includes an outsole configured for supporting the foot of the wearer, an upper secured to the outsole and configured for covering the foot of the wearer, an insole located above the outsole within the upper, a midsole located above the outsole and below the insole and first and second laterally adjacent shanks located above the outsole and below the insole. The first shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a lateral side of the middle portion and the second shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a medial side of the middle portion to form an acute angle therebetween and provide balance and torsional stability for sides of the wearer's foot.

Abstract: Footwear for covering a foot of a wearer includes an outsole configured for supporting the foot of the wearer, an upper secured to the outsole and configured for covering the foot of the wearer, an insole located above the outsole within the upper, a midsole located above the outsole and below the insole and first and second laterally adjacent shanks located above the outsole and below the insole.

Abstract: Footwear for covering a foot of a wearer includes an outsole configured for supporting the foot of the wearer, an upper secured to the outsole and configured for covering the foot of the wearer, an insole located above the outsole within the upper, a midsole located above the outsole and below the insole and first and second laterally adjacent shanks located above the outsole and below the insole. The first shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a lateral side of the middle portion and the second shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a medial side of the middle portion to form an acute angle therebetween and provide balance and torsional stability for sides of the wearer's foot.

Abstract: Footwear for covering a foot of a wearer includes an outsole configured for supporting the foot of the wearer, an upper secured to the outsole and configured for covering the foot of the wearer, an insole located above the outsole within the upper, a midsole located above the outsole and below the insole and first and second laterally adjacent shanks located above the outsole and below the insole.

Abstract: Footwear for covering a foot of a wearer includes an outsole configured for supporting the foot of the wearer, an upper secured to the outsole and configured for covering the foot of the wearer, an insole located above the outsole within the upper, and first and second laterally adjacent shanks located above the outsole and below the insole. The first and second shanks angle outward from near a lateral center of the heel portion of the outsole toward lateral and medial sides of the middle portion of the outsole so that front ends of the first and second shanks are located at a position to be under outer balls of the wearer's foot to provide balance and torsional stability for sides of the wearer's foot.

Abstract: Footwear includes a sole, an upper secured to the sole for covering a foot of a wearer of the footwear, and an external toe cap located at a toe portion of the upper and outside of the upper to form a portion of an exterior surface of the footwear. The toe cap includes a horizontal bottom flange that extends between the upper and the sole and is secured to the sole with adhesive.

Abstract: Footwear includes a sole, an upper secured to the sole for covering a foot of the wearer, and an external heel counter located at a rear of the upper and configured to be located behind a heel of the foot and to not extend along lateral sides of the heel. Portions of the upper adjacent the heel counter comprise leather and the heel counter comprises molded rubber. Lateral sides of the heel counter are arcuate and concave and an external surface of the heel counter is provided with raised ridges. Some of the leather portions of the upper adjacent the rubber heel counter are stitched to and over the rubber heel counter and some of the leather portions of the upper adjacent the rubber heel counter are stitched to and under the rubber heel counter.

Abstract: Footwear includes a sole, an upper secured to the sole for covering a foot of the wearer, and an external heel counter located at a rear of the upper and configured to be located behind a heel of the foot and to not extend along lateral sides of the heel. Portions of the upper adjacent the heel counter comprise leather and the heel counter comprises molded rubber. Lateral sides of the heel counter are arcuate and concave and an external surface of the heel counter is provided with raised ridges. Some of the leather portions of the upper adjacent the rubber heel counter are stitched to and over the rubber heel counter and some of the leather portions of the upper adjacent the rubber heel counter are stitched to and under the rubber heel counter.