Abstract: A footwear sole includes a footwear sole base with a forefoot region, a mid-foot region, and a heel region. A lower heel cushion is positioned in the heel region. An upper heel cushion is positioned over the lower heel cushion. A shank with reinforcement ribs is positioned in the mid-foot region. A forefoot stabilizer is positioned in the forefoot region. The forefoot stabilizer includes an axial spine and lateral ribs to facilitate forward movement and lateral support. The footwear sole may be used in combination with a foot bed with a flexible base and a rigid orthotic structure. The foot bed may include elastomer cushioning domes at heel and metatarsal impact points. The foot bed may include a liner with moisture wicking and anti-microbe properties.

Abstract: A supportive, lightweight athletic shoe construction is described which includes an inflatable upper and a sole. The upper includes a foot conforming support member, an inflatable exoskeleton and an overlay which inhibits outward bulging of the exoskeleton. The sole includes a rigid carrier element, a forefoot unit and a heel unit. The forefoot unit includes a plurality of components which are arranged to work with the biomechanics of the foot. The athletic shoe is structurally minimalistic and functionally efficient.

Abstract: A supportive, lightweight athletic shoe construction is described which includes an inflatable upper and a sole. The upper includes a foot conforming support member, an inflatable exoskeleton and an overlay which inhibits outward bulging of the exoskeleton. The sole includes a rigid carrier element, a forefoot unit and a heel unit. The forefoot unit includes a plurality of components which are arranged to work with the biomechanics of the foot. The athletic shoe is structurally minimalistic and functionally efficient.

Abstract: A supportive, lightweight athletic shoe construction is described which includes an inflatable upper and a sole. The upper includes a foot conforming support member, an inflatable exoskeleton and an overlay which inhibits outward bulging of the exoskeleton. The sole includes a rigid carrier element, a forefoot unit and a heel unit. The forefoot unit includes a plurality of components which are arranged to work with the biomechanics of the foot. The athletic shoe is structurally minimalistic and functionally efficient.

Abstract: A footwear sole construction has a cavity. The footwear sole construction includes pods disposed on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the sole. The pods may be formed independent from the sole or integral with the sole. In addition, the pods may be disposed on the forefoot region of the sole, as well as, around the entire periphery. The placement of the cavities directly control the degree of shock absorption. The pods may be disposed such that at least one of the cavities may be disposed to have an open end on one of the medial and lateral sides of the sole and another open end on the lower surface of the sole. The cavities also may be formed directly in the sole material. In such case, a support piece can be disposed in the cavities or a reinforcement piece can be disposed on the bottom of the sole. The cavities also may be formed in a support element disposed in the sole.

Abstract: The footwear sole construction has a sole element disposed in the heel region of the sole. The sole element includes a first pod disposed on the medial side of the sole and a second pod disposed on the lateral side of the sole. The first pod is connected to the second pod by a web. A lower side of the sole element defines a concavity such that a lower surface of the first and second pods are disposed for contacting a ground surface. The first and second pods each include cavities extending therethrough such that a first open end of a cavity is disposed on one of the medial and lateral sides of the pod and a second open end of that cavity is disposed on the lower surface of such pod. The placement of the cavities and the orientation of the pods allow for tailoring and control of shock absorption.

Abstract: A footwear sole construction has a cavity. The footwear sole construction includes pods disposed on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the sole. The pods may be formed independent from the sole or integral with the sole. In addition, the pods may be disposed on the forefoot region of the sole, as well as, around the entire periphery. The placement of the cavities directly control the degree of shock absorption. The pods may be disposed such that at least one of the cavities may be disposed to have an open end on one of the medial and lateral sides of the sole and another open end on the lower surface of the sole. The cavities also may be formed directly in the sole material. In such case, a support piece can be disposed in the cavities or a reinforcement piece can be disposed on the bottom of the sole. The cavities also may be formed in a support element disposed in the sole.