Abstract: A protective safety shoe insert includes a seamless puncture-resistant insole substantially conforming in shape to a sole of the shoe. The insole comprises a flexible steel plate coinciding with an area of greatest flexure of the insole and a layer of a puncture-resistant material secured to the ends of the plate. The insole is injection molded with an integral safety toe, an integral arch support, and an optional integral heel protector. A metatarsal guard is secured to the safety toe to add impact protection for the metatarsal area of the foot.

Abstract: The invention is the assembly of a flexible walking boot and a boot brace made of a rigid material for receiving and holding the boot within it so that the assembly can be used for downhill skiing or snowboarding. The brace has a sole plate for insertion into a conventional downhill ski or snowboard binding. Lateral support is provided by upright members extending along the leg from the sole plate of the brace. Forward resistance is provided by resilient bias means located at the pivotal attachment of the upright members to the brace, which attachment is preferably beneath the heel. The skier's heel is held down by means of an adjustable heel counter positioned at the rear of the brace.

Abstract: A downhill ski boot assembly combines a flexible walking boot with a boot brace insertable into a standard ski binding to provide a skier with the control and feel of a conventional hard ski boot. The boot brace has a sole plate insertable into the ski binding, a toe cap and boot restraining means for urging the sole of the boot against the sole plate. Lower leg support is provided by the brace by means of upright supports which are preferably inner and outer lateral struts extending from the sole plate to a shin or calf piece. The lower leg support has a spring biased pivot adjacent the ankle region which allows the skier to move his lower leg forward from the ankle against a biasing force.

Abstract: A downhill ski boot assembly combines a flexible walking boot with a boot brace insertable into a standard ski binding to provide a skier with the control and feel of a conventional hard ski boot. The boot brace has a sole plate insertable into the ski binding, and toe and heel hold down structures for the flexible boot are attached to the sole plate. Lower leg support is provided by the brace by means of upright supports which are preferably inner and outer lateral struts extending from the sole plate to a shin piece. The lower leg support has a spring biased pivot adjacent the ankle region which allows the skier to move his lower leg forward from the ankle against a biasing force.

Abstract: A downhill ski boot assembly utilizes a ski boot shell into which a soft walking boot may be inserted. The shell has a rigid sole plate with a stiff forefoot and shin piece as well as heel hold down means. The forefoot and shin piece has an opening at the toe so that the boot toe may extend therethrough. The heel hold down means of the shell coacts with means on the heel of the boot to hold it in place against the sole plate. A calf strap and an instep strap provide further immobilization of the skier's leg and foot to provide the desired degree of skiing control.