Abstract: A shoe having a guard device disposed at or near the second end of the shoe to prevent injury to the back of the wearer's foot from an impact force against the second end of the shoe. Preferably, the guard device has a body member that extends substantially from the bottom of the shoe to the top of the shoe at the second end thereof to protect against an impact anywhere between the sole and the top of the shoe. The body member of the guard device can be made out of metal, hard plastic or rigid composites and be rod-like, a rectangular plate or curved to conform to the shape of the heel. The guard device can be embedded inside the shoe body or be affixed to the outer surface of the shoe body. The shoe can be configured as a conventional shoe, safety shoe or boot.