Abstract: A footwear configured to attenuate shock and provide rebound is provided, including an outsole having independent compression pods separated from an outer support perimeter by a peripheral groove and from one another by multiple transverse grooves that are deeper than the peripheral groove. The pods can extend from a medial side to a lateral side, across a majority of an outsole width. The pods can compress individually and forwardly as the footwear engages the ground, and can rebound, providing energy return. The pods can independently compress medially and/or laterally to provide enhanced side to side flexibility of the outsole and attendant cushioning. The transverse grooves can be deeper than the thickness of the lower walls of the pods so that those lower walls can compress deeply upward and into the outsole to provide shock attenuation. A cushion unit can be adjacent those surfaces and can further provide rebound.

Abstract: A footwear configured to attenuate shock and provide rebound is provided, including an outsole having independent compression pods separated from an outer support perimeter by a peripheral groove and from one another by multiple transverse grooves that are deeper than the peripheral groove. The pods can extend from a medial side to a lateral side, across a majority of an outsole width. The pods can compress individually and forwardly as the footwear engages the ground, and can rebound, providing energy return. The pods can independently compress medially and/or laterally to provide enhanced side to side flexibility of the outsole and attendant cushioning. The transverse grooves can be deeper than the thickness of the lower walls of the pods so that those lower walls can compress deeply upward and into the outsole to provide shock attenuation. A cushion unit can be adjacent those surfaces and can further provide rebound.

Abstract: A footwear construction including a sole and an adjustable heel element selectively rotatable about an axis of rotation to configure the heel element in a fitness mode or a stability mode. The heel element can include a ground contacting surface having a first performance contour and a second, different performance contour. In the fitness mode, the first performance contour is positioned rearward of the second performance contour to provide a rolling/rocking motion when the heel region of the footwear engages a walking surface in a gait cycle. In the stability mode, the second performance contour is positioned rearward of the first performance contour to provide a stable impact when the heel region engages a walking surface. The footwear can include an actuator to enable the heel element to rotate and locking elements to hold the heel element in a fixed rotational position. A related method of use also is provided.