Abstract: Footwear including an upper sized and shaped for covering a human foot of a predetermined size. The upper has a lower edge defining a lower boundary of the upper and an upper edge defining an opening through which the foot is inserted when positioning the footwear on the foot. A waterproof vapor-permeable sheet having an outer edge defining a shape corresponding to the foot is stitched to the lower edge of the upper. An interior surface of the upper and an upper surface of the sheet define an interior of the footwear into which the foot is inserted, with the upper surface of the sheet forming a bottom surface of the interior of the footwear.

Abstract: Footwear including an upper sized and shaped for covering a human foot of a predetermined size. The upper has a lower edge defining a lower boundary of the upper and an upper edge defining an opening through which the foot is inserted when positioning the footwear on the foot. A waterproof vapor-permeable sheet having an outer edge defining a shape corresponding to the foot is stitched to the lower edge of the upper. An interior surface of the upper and an upper surface of the sheet define an interior of the footwear into which the foot is inserted, with the upper surface of the sheet forming a bottom surface of the interior of the footwear.

Abstract: A laminated foam sockliner for use in combination with footwear. The sockliner has a forward part generally underlying and supporting toes and metatarsal heads, a middle part generally underlying and supporting an arch, and a back part generally underlying and supporting a heel of the wearer. The sockliner includes a porous upper layer made from a flexible air permeable material. The upper layer provides support for at least a portion of the foot of the wearer including a heel and an arch of the foot. The sockliner also includes a shockfoam layer positioned generally at the back part of the sockliner below the upper layer. A top surface of the shockfoam layer being permanently bonded to at least a portion of a bottom surface of the upper layer underlying the back part of the sockliner. The forward part of the sockliner substantially lacks the shockfoam layer.

Abstract: Footwear includes a sole, an upper attached to the sole to define a volume for receiving a foot therein, and a sockliner received in the volume and overlying the sole. The sole includes at least one first fastener element formed therein, and the sockliner includes at least one second fastener element formed therein. The second fastener element is adapted for snap-together fastening with the first fastener element for securing the sockliner to the sole.

Abstract: A laminated foam sockliner for use in combination with footwear to cushion a foot inserted in the footwear. The sockliner comprises a compressibly resilient closed cell foam lower layer having top and bottom surfaces sized and shaped for insertion into the footwear and for supporting at least a portion of the foot. The lower layer has a compressibility sufficient to permit the layer to resiliently compress under the foot in response to pressure applied to the layer by the foot during periods of a gait cycle when the footwear impacts the ground thereby absorbing shock and cushioning the foot during impact. The sockliner further comprises an open cell foam upper layer having top and bottom surfaces sized and shaped for insertion in the footwear.

Abstract: A shoe sole has cushioning in ball and heel regions of the sole. The sole includes an insole which has openings in the ball and heel regions which increase the flexibility of the insole. The insole openings are filled in by a soft insole pad so that the insole does not form a barrier to cushioning the ball and heel of the foot. The outsole also has openings in ball and heel regions which are closed by clear covers. The openings provide for good flexibility of the outsole. A soft cushion is held in the cover for further cushioning of the ball and heel of the foot.

Abstract: A cushion for use inside footwear having an interior for receiving a foot of a wearer. The cushion includes a liner made of cushioning material. The liner is sized and shaped for reception on an interior surface of the footwear in a position for engaging the foot when the foot is inserted into the interior of the footwear for cushioning an interface between the foot and the interior surface of the footwear with which the liner is engaged. The liner includes a visual cushioning indicator for visually indicating the operability of the cushion to perform a cushioning function during an immediately prior use by the wearer and for subsequent use.

Abstract: An exercise shoe is capable of adapting its fit while being worn. The shoe has a quarter which is split into an upper portion and a side portion on each side of the shoe. In the gap between the upper portion and each respective side portion is an elastic gore which will stretch to permit the upper portion and side portions to move apart from each other as the foot moves during exercise or should the foot swell while being worn. A comfortable fit may be maintained without manipulating the shoelaces. The elastic gore has a substantial resiliency to pull the upper and side portions of the quarter back together as the foot contracts to maintain a secure fit.