Abstract: A hiking or military boot or shoe is provided with a sole formed with a plurality of internal passages which lighten the sole, enhance the flexibility of the sole and provide a portion of a shoe ventilation system. Included is a snorkel arrangement connected to the internal passages to ventilate the sole, with the outlet therefor at an elevated level to prevent moisture from entering the shoe. Preferably, the footwear is comprised of a moisture and air impervious material.

Abstract: A new and improved cinch-type closure is provided for athletic footwear. The closure serves the combined functions of securing the athletic footwear in comfort to the wearer's foot, maintaining the primary shoe fastener, i.e., tied laces, tightly intact, and contributing to the overall support of the wearer's arch. Specifically, the cinch-type closure of the invention utilizes a pair of hooked and looped fastening tapes of the "Velcro" type for locking the cooperative cinching elements, namely, a cinching strap and a mating cinch anchor, and these elements are arranged to form an integral part of the improved athletic footwear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shoe construction, especially well suited for athletic footwear, comprising a one-piece molded sole having a bottom tread surface and an upper "fully orthopedic" foot supporting surface, a plurality of primary canals formed at the upper surface of the sole extending from the peripheral edges thereof inwardly in predetermined patterns, a foot supporting insole mounted upon the upper surface of the sole and cooperating with the primary canals to define ventilating air conduits, ventilating ports defined by the insole means and disposed in registry with the conduits, whereby ventilating air is free to communicate from exterior portions of the sole at peripheral portions thereof to the exposed internal surface of said insole, and a foot enclosing upper secured to said sole.

Abstract: A substantially flexible unitary wedge-shaped unit sole for high heeled shoes is disclosed contoured with compound curves in the side bottom surfaces thereof to enhance the comfort and stability of the wearer while at rest, and further to enhance the stride during walking. In addition, the sole is constructed to provide the stable feed of a solid wedge while being substantially hollow to reduce the weight thereof, and to provide a deliberately placed flexibility during walking.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shoe construction, especially well suited for athletic footwear, comprising a one-piece molded sole having a bottom tread surface and an upper "fully orthopedic" foot supporting surface, a plurality of primary canals formed at the upper surface of the sole extending from the peripheral edges thereof inwardly in predetermined patterns, a foot supporting insole mounted upon the upper surface of the sole and cooperating with the primary canals to define ventilating air conduits, ventilating ports defined by the insole means and disposed in registry with the conduits, whereby ventilating air is free to communicate from exterior portions of the sole at peripheral portions thereof to the exposed internal surface of said insole, and a foot enclosing upper secured to said sole.

Abstract: A solid "wedge-type" sole for shoes is provided, having a sponge-like and relatively resilient material in the toe and arch regions of the sole in combination with a lift of a comparatively rigid material in the heel regions of the sole.

Abstract: A contoured sole for providing wearers with a reflex thrust action in response to walking movements is disclosed herein. The reflex thrust is achieved by incorporating therebetween, a special undulating construction, having multiple crests with troughs in the bottom of the sole. Accordingly, the new sole is provided with a series of specifically defined and segregated portions, which cooperate to enhance and control in a positive and beneficial manner, the walking movements and comfort of the wearer.