Abstract: A sole structure 1 for a shoe comprises an upper plate 2 having a heel region and disposed on the upper side of the structure 1, a first C-shaped portion 3 and a second C-shaped portion 4 each having a longitudinally flat, generally C-shape with an upwardly opening portion 3A, 4A, disposed alongside in the longitudinal direction under the upper plate 2, and each opening end of the upwardly opening portions 3A, 4A directly fixed to the upper plate 2, and a connecting portion 5 interposed between and connecting the first and second C-shaped portions 3. The C-shaped portions 3, 4 are formed of downwardly convexly curved surfaces 30, 40 and diagonally upwardly convexly curved surfaces 31, 41, respectively, which extend diagonally upwardly from the downwardly convexly curved surfaces 30, 40 toward the upper plate 2.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a heel cushioning system is disclosed. The heel cushioning system includes a sole, a curved plate and tread members. The tread members may lift a heel portion of a sole above a ground surface. The curved plate may deflect when a force is applied to the sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper structure having a heel portion and a forefoot portion and a plate attached to a bottom surface of the upper structure. A sole structure is attached to the plate and includes a first portion associated with the heel portion and a second portion associated with the forefoot portion. The first portion includes a wall formation having a continuous structure with a series of peaks disposed proximate to and in contact with the plate and a series of valleys cooperating with the peaks to define a plurality of pockets formed through the wall formation.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly is secured to the upper and includes a support assembly. The support assembly has a plurality of primary tubular members spaced from one another and extending laterally across at least a portion of the sole assembly. A plurality of secondary tubular members extends laterally across at least a portion of the sole assembly, with each secondary tubular member positioned between and interconnecting a pair of adjacent primary tubular members.

Abstract: A magnetically-supported article of footwear that primarily supports a wearer's weight by repulsive magnetic forces from magnets arranged in and around the article's sole. The magnets are arranged between and around the article's insole and outsole and may be attached to pairs of magnetically-conductive plates located down the length of the article's sole. Each plate has two magnets, one with a north pole facing upwards and one with a north pole facing downward. Also disclosed is an independent magnetically-supported sole assembly suitable for attachment to an existing article of footwear's sole so that, when attached, the weight of the wearer of that article is primarily supported by repulsive magnetic forces.

Abstract: An adjustable shock attenuating means comprises at least one arch element (1) and at least one tensile element (2) arranged between any two positions at a concave surface of the element (1) or between two ends of the arch element (1). This means further comprises at least one additional arch element (12) arranged intersecting with the arch element (1) or arranged with the arch element (1) side by side. The arch element (1) has a U-shaped cut-out (13, 14) at its two ends respectively and the tensile element (2) correspondingly has a connecting piece (23, 24) at its two ends respectively to be coupled with the U-shaped cut-outs (13, 14) of the arch element (1) with which the tensile element (2) is coupled with the arch element (1).

Abstract: A human shoe sole or insole, sockliner or orthotic for insertion into a human shoe having a foot supporting upper surface including a first region for supporting the first, second, third, fourth and optionally fifth metatarsal heads of the foot, and a second region surrounding the first region for supporting the remainder of the foot, at least in part. The first region provides less resistance to downward motion than the second region, and includes a hollow or depressed area relative to the remainder of the first region having a medial border portion and a lateral border portion, wherein the depression has its lowest point skewed to the medial side of center, whereby to promote eversion of the first metatarsal head as the wearer moves from midstance through propulsive phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved shoe sole for a running shoe conducive to a midfoot striking gait including a cushioning element positioned between the upper surface and the ground-contacting surface, at least a portion of which is positioned on a lateral side of the sole and contained within a region between 15% and 90% of the length of the shoe sole as measured from a rearfoot end of the sole. One or more high abrasion-resistant ground-contacting crash pads are positioned below the cushioning element, and include a lateral side portion contained within a region extending a distance of 20% the length of the shoe sole, as measured from a rearfoot end of the shoe sole. The shoe sole, preferably devoid of at least vertical arch sculpting, also includes a longitudinal flex groove positioned just medial of the crash pads.

Abstract: Disclosed are an elastic sole member which optimizes between a shock absorbing function and repulsive elastic force, between which a tradeoff relationship exists, and a shoe with the elastic sole member. The elastic sole member includes a sole body which is upwardly inclined toward a back end thereof, and an elastic member comprised of a fixing piece inserted through and fixed in a space formed through an upwardly inclined back portion of the sole body, and an elastic plate extending from the fixing plate while it is downwardly inclined and having a first end exposed to the outside and a second end spaced apart from the sole body, in which the elastic sole member elastically contracts when external force is applied to a back portion of the sole body while the fixing piece serves as the elastic support axis and provides elastic recovery force when the external force is removed.

Abstract: A new sole for basketball shoes that make use of a spring board and cushioning system to reduce the likelihood that a user will roll and sprain their ankle and to provide more support for lateral movements in both directions. The spring board, cushioning and support provide the present invention with a unique compression system covering the rear foot, the forefoot, and the tip of the foot. On the rear foot, the compression system is able to absorb impact during landings to increase surface contact between the outsole and the ground. On the fore foot, during aggressive changes in direction, the compression system compresses and provides the user a flexible slanted surface to push off of. On the tip of the foot, the compression system provides users with more surface contact to the ground for increase friction and stability. The advantages of the present invention decrease the likelihood a user will roll or sprain their ankle and increase the stability for lateral movements in both directions.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products.

Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear includes a base having an outer edge defining a perimeter, the base having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion and a heel portion; and a plurality of resilient projections extending from the base, wherein the plurality of projections includes a plurality of projections extending non-orthogonally from the base about the perimeter of the base and a plurality of projections extending substantially orthogonally from the base within the non-orthogonal projections.

Abstract: A shoe sole comprising a foot engaging plate for accommodating a foot of a user and a ground engaging surface/plate. The foot engaging plate is sufficiently rigid so as to resist distortion of the foot engaging plate, during use of the shoe sole, so that the foot remains supported by the foot engaging plate during use of the shoe sole. A pivot member is located between the foot engaging plate and the ground engaging surface/plate to facilitate relative pivoting motion between the foot engaging plate and the ground engaging surface/plate. A layer of resilient material is sandwiched between the foot engaging plate and the ground engaging surface/plate. The resilient material may have one or more bores formed therein which accommodate a compressible material therein to facilitate programming of a desired compression characteristic for the shoe sole.

Abstract: The invention relates to all forms of footwear and orthotics, as well as any other products benefiting from increased flexibility, better resistance to shock and shear forces, and stable support. More specifically, the invention incorporates a unitary integral component with at least one internal (or mostly internal) sipe, including slits or channels or grooves and any other shape, including geometrically regular or non-regular, such as anthropomorphic shapes, into a large variety of products using materials known in the art or their current or future equivalent. Still more specifically, the internal sipe component provides improved flexibility to products utilizing them, as well as improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, while also improving stability of support, and therefore the siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes flexibility, cushioning, or stability.

Abstract: A foot brace assembly for immobilizing a user's foot while providing some degree of flexibility through independent shock absorbers that avoid drastic application of loads to the user's foot. A top shoe assembly is coupled through spring members to a bottom shoe assembly that has slightly larger dimensions to receive the top shoe assembly. The underside of the bottom shoe assembly includes rear, middle, and front assemblies that are independent from each other and are compressed depending on the user's gait. The underside of the shoe assembly includes perpendicularly mounted upper tubular members that telescopically receive and guide corresponding lower tubular members that are perpendicularly mounted to the upperside of the sole assembly. The lower tubular members are mounted to depressed walls below the sole assembly's upperside to reduce the effective separation of the shoe and sole assemblies while providing a sufficient guiding distance.

Abstract: Improved footwear is disclosed, including an improved foot gripping member and footwear having a resilient and angled or curved sole. The improvements are particularly well adapted for footwear made for beach, street, home, sports, or general casual wear. The various features of the disclosed footwear may be utilized alone, or in combination with each other, in order to improve the comfort and improve the attachment to the footwear to the foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly defining a base support plane. The sole assembly also includes a cushioning assembly with a first end and a second end. The cushioning assembly includes a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member. The first cushioning member includes a first overlapping surface, and the second cushioning member includes a second overlapping surface. The first and second overlapping surfaces overlap each other over the base support plane and each slopes at a positive acute angle relative to the base support plane. The first cushioning member is thicker than the second cushioning member adjacent the first end of the cushioning assembly, and the second cushioning member is thicker than the first cushioning member adjacent the second end of the cushioning assembly. The first cushioning member has a resistance to resilient deformation less than that of the second cushioning member.

Abstract: A welted footwear construction with a direct-attach outsole and an internal tray containing a low density cushioning material. The welt may be secured to the upper and insole by one line of stitching and to the tray by a second line of stitching. The tray may include separate heel and forefoot cavities, each containing a low density cushioning material. The tray may be manufactured from thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”) and may contain low-density polyurethane (“PU”). The low-density PU may be molded in place within the cavities in the tray. The outsole may be directly attached to the undersurface of the tray, and may be manufactured from high-density PU.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe sole including a cushioning element. The shoe sole can include a heel cup or heel rim having a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of heel of a foot. Further, the heel part can include a plurality of side walls arranged below the heel cup or rim and at least one tension element that interconnects at least one side wall to another side wall or to the heel cup or rim. The heel cup or rim, the plurality of side walls, and the at least one tension element can be integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: A shoe sole of the present invention includes a first member 10 including a first deformable portion 11, and a second member 20 including a second deformable portion 21. In a non-worn state, a first lower surface 10d of the first deformable portion 11 and a second upper surface 20u of the second deformable portion 21 are substantially spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. Under a first load, the first deformable portion 11 deflects downward, whereby the first lower surface 10d can approach the second upper surface 20u until the first lower surface 10d contacts the second upper surface 20u. Under a second load, the deformable portions 11 and 21 both deflect downward with the engagement elements 12 and 22 of the deformable portions 11 and 21 engaging with each other.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability.

Abstract: A multi-colored effect for a sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a sole member having a first color and an exterior layer having a second color that is different from the sole member. A plurality of slots are formed in the sole structure and the second color is visible on an outer surface of the sole structure through the plurality of slots.

Abstract: Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction includes a sole member formed from a synthetic plastic material having a first durometer value of hardness and including toe, ball, arch, and heel portions. Relatively rigid toe and heel plates are secured to bottom surface of the sole member on opposite sides of a relatively soft flex bar member that extends transversely across the ball portion of the sole member. A plurality of toe cushion members are mounted for independent movement within openings contained in the toe plate, and a stabilizing arch cushion member is mounted in the recess defined in the heel plate. These cushion members have an intermediate durometer value that, during use, permits compression of these cushion members in a footprint pattern.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes an upper, an outsole, a pair of hinged plates, and a spring. The pair of hinged plates are attached between the outsole and the upper in a forefoot portion of the shoe, and the spring biases the plates apart, so that energy is stored and returned during a propulsion phase of a gait cycle in a human step. Foam may be disposed between the plates. A shroud may enclose an outer periphery of the plates. An adjustable torsion spring may be disposed in a hinge portion of the plates, and one or more wave springs may be disposed between the plates.

Abstract: A sole in accordance with the present invention may include a sole for attachment to an outside of a shoe. Moreover, a sole of the present invention may include a sole for insertion within an inner cavity formed by an upper of a shoe. In exemplary aspects the sole includes a base and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the base and integrally constructed with the base. Protrusions may include a side extending at an angle from the base. In addition, protrusions may include a side extending near perpendicular from the base. A plurality of protrusions may be arranged at ball portions of the sole. In addition, a plurality of protrusions may be arranged at a heel portion of the sole.

Abstract: The present invention is a shoe sole comprising an array of elliptical cells, wherein each cell has a wall, and wherein each cell wall is conjoined to or contiguous with at least one other cell wall. The cell wall may be conjoined to another cell wall by a conjoining element. At least some of the cell walls buckle when compressive or shear force is applied during use. The sole is made from any material with elastic properties for this application. The shoe sole can further comprise a substrate, also made of elastomeric material, integrated with the cell walls at their upper level, lower level, or their periphery, forming a unitary piece. Variations can be made as to the dimensions and arrangement of these cell walls. This sole can be incorporated into a shoe sole assembly as a shoe midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a top plate, a bottom plate positioned below the top plate, and a plurality of support assemblies extending between the upper plate and the midsole. Each support assembly includes a fluid-filled bladder and a retaining member surrounding the fluid-filled bladder.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a rocker sole has an outsole with a rocker sole element that has a rear apex located 20 to 45 millimeters, preferably, 35 to 40 millimeters rearwardly of the metatarsophalangeal joint area of the footwear and a generally curved surface extending forwardly and upwardly from the apex to a toe area of the footwear.

Abstract: An outsole for shoes includes a top part and a bottom part, the top toe portion of the top part and the bottom toe portion are glued to each other and a chamber is defined between the top and bottom heel portions of the top and bottom part. The top heel portion has multiple top protrusions extending from underside thereof and the bottom heel portion has multiple bottom protrusions extending from a top surface thereof. The top and bottom protrusions are located in the chamber. The respective distal ends of the top and bottom protrusions are glued to each other. The deformation of the top and bottom protrusions absorbs shocks from the ground.

Abstract: Disclosed is a midsole for a shoe which is capable of peacefully supporting the sole of the foot on which most of the wearer's weight may be applied, which is capable of performing the shock-dispersing function and the same foot rolling function, and which is capable of providing elastic air cushioning and shock-absorbing effects for relieving foot pressure. The midsole 11 has a shock-absorbing space 12 for providing a cushioning effect in an underside thereof, the shock-absorbing space 12 extending from a heel portion to a toe portion of the shoe along an outer periphery surface of the midsole 11. Cross sectional areas are defined by the shock-absorbing space 12 increasing from an arch-supporting middle segment to a heel-supporting rear segment or a toe-supporting front segment. A plurality of cutaway grooves 18 are formed at a bottom surface of the midsole 11 along the longitudinal direction of the midsole 11 at a certain distance.

Abstract: A shoe sole of the present invention includes a first member 10 including a first deformable portion 11, and a second member 20 including a second deformable portion 21. In a non-worn state, a first lower surface 10d of the first deformable portion 11 and a second upper surface 20u of the second deformable portion 21 are substantially spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. Under a first load, the first deformable portion 11 deflects downward, whereby the first lower surface 10d can approach the second upper surface 20u until the first lower surface 10d contacts the second upper surface 20u. Under a second load, the deformable portions 11 and 21 both deflect downward with the engagement elements 12 and 22 of the deformable portions 11 and 21 engaging with each other.

Abstract: A shoe sole structure includes an outsole having a plurality of cushioning members formed with the bottom surface of the outsole that can extend at least partially between the lateral edge and the medial edge of the shoe and also around a heel end of the shoe. One or more of the cushioning members can differ in size, location, orientation, length and/or material from one or more of the remaining cushioning members.

Abstract: According to the principles of the first embodiment of the present invention, a midsole of a shoe comprising an integral midsole, an outer sole with transparent discs, a board last of tractable stiffness; a mechanical spring located within the midsole; and, an upper shoe body. The shoe being capable of providing line-of-sight viewing of the internally mounted contrivances for structural monitoring throughout the life of the shoe so as to improve durability, process of making comfort and acceptability.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert.

Abstract: Impact-attenuating elements, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving device products, may include: (a) a base member, such as a fluid-tight and/or other fluid-filled or fluid-containing enclosure element; (b) a support element integrally and contiguously formed in a surface of the base member; and/or (c) a spring device engaged with the support element. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) may include a non-planar surface (e.g., substantially parabolic shaped, cylindrically shaped, etc.) that extends in a direction into the base member and toward its opposite surface. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) also may include reinforcing structure(s), such as raised ribs extending along a surface of the support element and/or spring device.

Abstract: A first load (L1) is put on the upper leg (606) to create a contact area (619) between the front segment (610) and the front segment (618). The contact area (619) has a center point (601) located a distance (p1) from the front end (602). An upper forward segment (621) pulls away from a lower forward segment (623) immediately adjacent to the front end (602) to create a loop (625a). The first load (L1) is progressively increased to a second load (L2) and the center point (601) is rolled back from the distance (p1) to a distance (p2) from the front end (602). The segments (621) and (623) expand the loop (625a) to a loop (625b).

Abstract: A sole construction having a heel carrier and an upwardly-arched heel pad. The heel pad is fitted into and supported by the heel carrier so that the heel pad provides a spring-like bending reaction to a load. The sole construction may further include a support element disposed above the heel pad and fitted into heel carrier. The support element may be upwardly-arching so that, like the heel pad, it provides spring-like bending reaction in response to a load. The support element and heel pad may be integrally formed, for example, by molding the heel pad directly onto the support element. The heel pad and/or support element may be fitted into slots in the lateral and medial sidewalls of the heel carrier to interconnect the heel pad, support element and heel carrier. The support element may have a forward extension to function as a shank.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. A first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs.

Abstract: A sole construction for supporting at least a portion of a human foot and for providing energy storage and return is provided. The sole construction includes a generally horizontal layer of stretchable material, at least one chamber positioned adjacent a first side of the layer, and at least one actuator positioned adjacent a second side of the layer vertically aligned with a corresponding chamber. Each actuator has a footprint size smaller than that of the corresponding chamber, and is sized and arranged to provide individual support to the bones of the human foot. The support structure when compressed causes the actuator to push against the layer and move the layer at least partially into the corresponding chamber. In one embodiment, dual action energy storage and rebound is provided by using a plurality of actuators that move both upwardly and downwardly into corresponding chambers.

Abstract: A differential-stiffness impact-attenuation member includes at least one spring element. The spring element has dimensions in height, length and width directions. The height dimension extends from a top surface to a bottom surface. The length dimension extends from a front end to a back end. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is adapted for mounting. The impact-attenuation member has a first stiffness characteristic in the height direction at the front end of the spring element and a second stiffness characteristic in the height direction at the back end of the spring element. The spring element may define a cavity. A tension element may engage the spring element and be located at least partially within the cavity. The impact-attenuation member may engage at least one of a foot-covering member, a foot-supporting member and a surface-contacting member associated with a foot-receiving device.

Abstract: A shoe foundation assembly for receiving and retaining a number of cleats or spikes into the bottom sole of the shoe such as might be utilized in various sporting events. The shoe foundation assembly includes a unitarily molded shoe cradle component with a toe guard at a first end, a heel guard at a second end, and arch medial. An outsole is bonded to the midsole component sized and shaped to be positioned on the underside base of the shoe cradle component. The detachable cradle incorporates hillock apertures for positioning a number of sealable inserts to receive the cleat/spikes. Bonded to the midsole is an outsole component having a plurality of slit apertures also positioned to receive the plurality of cleat/spikes. A number of different types of cleats or shoe spikes may be inserted into the apertures in the outsole and through the sealable inserts within the midsole. Each of the cleat/spikes incorporates a structure for the retention of the cleat/spike onto the shoe foundation.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an undulating sole provides a different and unique ride and/or feel to the article of footwear, while also providing a unique aesthetic appeal and adequate cushioning and support. The midsole has an undulating shape substantially similar to a sine wave with a series alternating peaks and troughs, and may include one or more support elements disposed on the midsole to provide desired stiffness or cushioning properties to the midsole.

Abstract: The invention relates to shoe soles with damping foot pads, which include a shoe sole and a foot pad. A plurality of convex columns with elasticity are evenly distributed on a lower surface of the foot pad, at a heel end. A plurality of grooves are arranged on an upper surface of the shoe sole, at the heel end to correspond to the convex columns, which are positioned in the grooves. A plurality of the convex columns with elasticity are evenly distributed on a lower surface of the foot pad. A plurality of the grooves include a plurality of the convex columns and are arranged on the upper surface of the shoe sole at the heel end to correspond to the convex columns.

Abstract: Melded footwear and process for manufacture of footwear. This enhanced shoe can be formed and assembled with a limited number of steps and without the need for much stitching. The shoe has a durable polyurethane shell, which is an integrated upper and outsole. The shoe contains a textile upper portion which is attached by direct injection molded. Molding the textile to the outsole eliminates the need for the use of adhesives. A locking plug element is provided that serves the dual function of providing cushioning around the heel and locking certain elements together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe chassis. In one embodiment, the present invention is a shoe chassis including a board with a first end and a second end, the board having a portion defining a first hole at the second end. The shoe chassis also includes a stabilizing unit beneath the board and a pod beneath the stabilizing unit. A flexible membrane is positioned within the first hole to allow the heel to flex past or through the first hole and compress a cushioning material located within the pod and positioned under the flexible membrane.

Abstract: Impact-attenuating elements include a plurality of impact-attenuating members and a means for releasably securing the impact-attenuating element to at least one of the upper member or the sole member of a piece of footwear or other foot-receiving device. The impact-attenuating elements may be included in the footwear or other foot-receiving devices in a selectively removable manner so that a user, retailer, or another can customize and freely select an appropriate element, e.g., depending on user preferences, characteristics of the user, characteristics of the intended use, and the like.

Abstract: A shoe including cushioning elements housed in a tread sole adapted to come into contact with the ground, the cushioning elements including a plurality of cushioning capsules orientated in a manner such that they substantially follow a line on which the weight of a person is transferred during walking, that is, a podalic line; the cushioning capsules have different sizes and shapes that are geometrically similar to each other, constituting a series of modular elements adaptable to every shoe size and type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having a sole element. The sole element includes a sole area extending below a wearer's foot and a heel cup three-dimensionally encompassing a heel of the wearer's foot. The heel cup alone forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the shoe.