Abstract: A shoe sole for supporting a wearer's foot. The sole has a main sole portion and at least one cushion associated with the main sole portion. The cushion includes first and second hollow tubular portions, preferably with resilient load-bearing first and second hollow walls that have a thickness, material, and shape providing sufficient strength for supporting and cushioning the sides of a corresponding foot region of a wearer's foot. The first wall is disposed on first side of a sole region of the sole, and the second wall is disposed on a second side of the sole region opposite from the first side. At least one of the first and second hollow walls extends along a third side of the sole region. A central portion of the cushion is disposed between and joined with the first and second tubular portions, and preferably has a thickness, material, and shape providing sufficient strength for supporting and cushioning a generally central part of the foot region between the first, second, and third sides.

Abstract: A cushion for use in a shoe sole with resilient, arcuate, load-bearing first and second and central walls. The first and second walls are tubular and are configured for supporting and cushioning edges of a foot. They respectively form first and second tubular portions of the cushion extending generally along a lateral and medial sides of a foot shape. The central wall is configured for supporting and cushioning a laterally central part of the foot and forms a hollow central portion. The central portion is disposed between and joined with the first and second tubular portions. The central wall and first tubular wall are coupled at a coupled section such that vertical deformation of one of the central and first walls is transmitted to the other. The coupling portion has vertically spaced walls that join vertically spaced sections of the central and tubular walls. A recessed portion of the cushion isolates vertical deformation of adjacent sections of the central and tubular walls.