Abstract: A molded athletic boot, a reinforcing insert assembly for a molded athletic boot and a method of making the boot are described. A cloth-like insert is mounted on a last and a mold is then closed about the last. A castable material, such as polyurethane is injected into the mold so that it impregnates and encapsulates the insert prior to solidifying to form an athletic boot having great tensile strength and rigidity. The described insert assembly comprises a porous, elastic, sock-like element which fits over the last. A layer of a woven or knitted polyamide and a layer of a nonwoven polyamide are secured inside the sock-like element at selected locations.