Abstract: Shell sole construction for footwear comprised of a sole bottom portion, an upwardly rising edge portion extending around the outer edge of the sole bottom and, optionally including a cutout or recess in the bottom of the shell sole for receiving insert bottoms, is provided with a plurality of longitudinally distributed predetermined bending zones or points along the upwardly rising edge of the shell sole in the area of the ball of the foot to achieve a reduction in the bending stress exerted on the shell sole in the region of the ball of the foot.