Abstract: A sole component for an article of women's footwear intended to address biomechanical characteristics unique to women. The sole component includes a lateral alignment portion underlying and extending through a region beneath the distal head of the second metatarsal, the distal head of the fifth metatarsal and the proximal head of the fifth metatarsal, and not into the flex zone ahead of the distal heads of metatarsals. The lateral alignment portion provides relatively firm resistance to compression. The sole component may further include a forefoot fixing portion underlying the distal head of the fifth metatarsal. The forefoot fixing portion provides relatively soft resistance to compression. In some embodiments, the sole component may also include a medial alignment portion extending along the medial side of the component from the heel through the arch.

Abstract: A sole component for an article of women's footwear intended to address biomechanical characteristics unique to women. The sole component includes a lateral alignment portion underlying and extending through a region beneath the distal head of the second metatarsal, the distal head of the fifth metatarsal and the proximal head of the fifth metatarsal, and not into the flex zone ahead of the distal heads of metatarsals. The lateral alignment portion provides relatively firm resistance to compression. The sole component may further include a forefoot fixing portion underlying the distal head of the fifth metatarsal. The forefoot fixing portion provides relatively soft resistance to compression. In some embodiments, the sole component may also include a medial alignment portion extending along the medial side of the component from the heel through the arch.