Abstract: The present invention provides an item of footwear. It is desired to provide an item of footwear (100) which provides an attractive appearance whilst maintaining the comfort of the user. It is particularly advantageous to deliver a thinner item of footwear (100), which still maintains the comfort of a thicker item. An item of footwear (100) comprises a securing means for securing the item of footwear (100) to a foot of a user; and a sole for engaging a foot of a user in use, the sole having a heel region (20) for supporting the heel of a wearer in use and a forward region (30) for supporting the forefoot of a wearer in use, wherein: the sole (1) has a raised protrusion (22) forming the upper surface (2) in a first portion of the heel region (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to an item of footwear in which is provided a mid-sole (10) with features that provide comfort to the wearer when walking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming an item of footwear (100) and an item of footwear (100). In particular, the item of footwear (100) is a boot formed of vulcanised rubber such as a Wellington boot. A method of forming an item of footwear (100) comprising the steps of providing a sole member (2) formed of a first rubber material having a first compressive resistance, the sole member (2) comprising a cavity (4) in an upper surface (2A) of a heel region of the sole member (2); placing an insert (6) into the cavity (4), the insert (6) having a second compressive resistance lower than the first compressive resistance; and then vulcanising to thereby attach an upper part (8) formed of a second rubber material to the sole member (2) at a first temperature, wherein the insert (6) is formed of a material which is solid at the first temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sole for an item of footwear, and an item of footwear comprising the sole. The item of footwear includes a sole having a layer of material defining a frontal/toe region, a mid-foot region and a heel region, wherein the layer has a first major surface for facing the foot of a wearer and a second major surface opposite the first; and a securing means for securing the item of footwear to a foot of a wearer, wherein: the material has the same composition in each of the frontal/toe region, the mid-foot region and the heel region; the frontal/toe region and the mid-foot region have formed therein a plurality of cavities such that the average density of the frontal/toe region and the mid-foot region is less than the heel region.

Abstract: The present invention provides an item of footwear. It is desired to provide an item of footwear (100) which provides an attractive appearance whilst maintaining the comfort of the user. It is particularly advantageous to deliver a thinner item of footwear (100), which still maintains the comfort of a thicker item. An item of footwear (100) comprises a securing means for securing the item of footwear (100) to a foot of a user; and a sole for engaging a foot of a user in use, the sole having a heel region (20) for supporting the heel of a wearer in use and a forward region (30) for supporting the forefoot of a wearer in use, wherein: the sole (1) has a raised protrusion (22) forming the upper surface (2) in a first portion of the heel region (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sole (10) for an item of footwear, and an item of footwear comprising the sole (10). Preferred embodiments of the item of footwear can provide comfort for the wearer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an item of footwear in which is provided a mid-sole (10) with features that provide comfort to the wearer when walking.