Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, shoes and techniques for making them. One such shoe has: (a) a bottom portion that includes a sole and a bottom surface; and (b) an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom portion of the shoe is made of (i) an insert piece having a number of openings and (ii) a piece of fabric material that is partially on top of the insert piece and that partially extends into the openings, such that the bottom surface has alternating areas of the fabric material and the insert piece. The bottom surface has a portion that contacts the ground in normal use, and the fabric material covers at least 50% of such portion that contacts the ground in normal use.

Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: Provided is a carrying case that utilizes two straps, e.g., for looping over the top of a cellular telephone or similarly sized item. Attachment devices are located on the body of the carrying case, and in certain implementations often can provide flexibility in how the carrying case is configured and used.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe that has a multi-layered sole with embedded padding. More specifically, at least one of the layers includes a sheet of base material having a hole through its central region, such that the hole is surrounded by the base material, and a cushioning pad attached to the base material so as to fill the hole. In one representative embodiment, the cushioning pad is approximately the same size and shape as the hole, and the perimeter of the pad is stitched to the perimeter of the hole. As a result of such construction, padding is provided in a manner that tends to resist damage over time.

Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: Provided is thong-type shoe that has a heel and a layered sole, with a shape-retaining member sandwiched between the layers. In one example, the shoe according to the present invention has a top layer, a bottom layer and a shape-retaining member sandwiched between the two, with a heel mounted to the shape-retaining member through the bottom layer. A provided upper has plural elongated insert elements, each having a stopper on its bottom end. Each of the plural elongated insert elements extends through a hole in the top layer and a hole in the bottom layer such that the stopper engages the hole in the bottom layer.

Abstract: Provided is a display panel for displaying and/or storing shoes. The display panel includes a base board defined by a first side, a second side and a peripheral edge. The base board has a first cut in a shape of a sole of a left shoe and a second cut in a shape of a sole of a right shoe. An upper portion of a left shoe is attached to an area of the second side that is enclosed by the first cut, and an upper portion of a right shoe is attached to an area of the second side that is enclosed by the second cut.