Abstract: A heat retention insole for shoes comprises a laminated structure incorporating a flexible plastic bottom sheet, a similar flexible plastic upper sheet, and a spacer sheet formed primarily of foamed organic plastic material. The spacer sheet is provided with large area apertures defined by bars extending transversely between portions of a perimetral band portion. The large area apertures are loosely filled with particles of insulating plastic material, thus assuring that the top and bottom sheets are maintained in spaced relationship even when subjected to foot pressure. The outer surfaces of the insole are preferably provided with a heat reflecting coating or film to minimize the loss of heat from the foot by radiation and reflect any such radiated heat back into the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: An athletic shoe comprises a conventional rubber-like sole which is secured to a conventional fabric or leather upper defining a lengthwise extending slot overlying a tongue secured to the rear end of the toe portion of the upper. A plurality of pliant retaining bands are employed to effect the securement of the shoe to the foot of the user. Each retaining band passes beneath a flexible, resilient cushion insole and then upwardly along the inner wall of the upper and outwardly through one of a plurality of apertures provided along the edges of the slot which overlies the tongue of the shoe. The tightening of the pliant bands effects not only the pulling of the upper portion of the shoe into snug engagement with the top portions of the foot of the user but also elevates the cushion insole into snug engagement with the bottom portions of the foot of the user.