Abstract: Footwear and a method for its construction including the following features is provided. An upper which defines a volume for receiving a wearer's foot. A midsole which has an inner surface, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, and an upstanding sidewall around its periphery. Stitching, which attaches the upper to the midsole along a peripheral portion of the upper and the sidewall of the midsole. An outsole, which has a walking surface and an attachment surface opposite to the walking surface. The outer surface of the midsole adhered to the opposed surface of the outsole.

Abstract: An injection molded fiber-impregnated thermoplastic composite material comprising a plastic polymer matrix wherein the fibers are sufficiently interwoven and entangled in said polymer matrix to provide improved resistance to mechanical loading, and wherein said composite material is particularly suited for the preparation of an injection molded toe cap for a protective shoe.

Abstract: A method for construction of footwear includes providing an upper defining a volume for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper having a rearward portion with a peripheral lasting edge; providing an outsole having a forward portion, a rearward portion and a cavity formed in at least the forward portion of a top surface of the outsole; providing and securing resilient material within the cavity of the outsole; sewing, the forward portion only of the outsole to the upper along a peripheral edge portion of the outsole; lasting, along an edge of a last, the peripheral lasting edge portion of the upper over an insole tuck temporarily secured to the last; and securing the rearward portion only of the outsole to the lasted rearward portion of the upper. This dual-approach construction method combines the advantages of increased comfort at the front portion of the wearer's foot with attractiveness and good support at the rearward portion of a shoe.

Abstract: A footwear system for use in driving a vehicle includes a first boot or shoe and a second boot or shoe, each including a sole having a heel region at a proximal end of the sole with rounded ridges disposed adjacent to one another and extending substantially across a width of the sole. The sole of the first boot or shoe includes a first metatarsal region including rounded ridges disposed adjacent to one another and extending substantially along a length of the sole and the sole of the second boot or shoe includes a second metatarsal region having rounded ridges disposed adjacent to one another and extending substantially across a width of the sole.

Abstract: A method for construction of waterproof footwear includes providing an upper defining an internal volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements, lasting and securing an inner liner having a waterproofing layer within the internal volume of the upper, securing the inner liner at a lasting edge portion of the liner to an insole having an external surface, securing a gasket element over the lasting edge portion of the liner and external surface of the insole, lasting the upper over the inner liner, and securing an outsole to the lasted upper. Performing two independent lasting operations ensures that during use, even if water somehow penetrates the upper, the lasted inner lining provides independent protection to the wearer's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an outer boot or shoe with a sole and an upper, which together define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements, and a replaceable, watertight bootie sized and shaped to fit snugly within the volume. The bootie includes an insole, a bootie upper, and releasable attachment elements for releasable securement of the bootie within the volume. The bootie has a waterproofing layer of material impervious to penetration by water that provides protection to the wearer's foot in wet conditions.