Abstract: A split-sole dance shoe, comprising: a thin flexible shoe upper defining an opening to receive a foot; an outsole region to underlie a sole of the foot and in combination with the upper defining a heel section, an arch section and a forefoot section; and thin flexible reinforcing structure coupled to the shoe upper and the outsole region and extending from adjacent the opening in an upper part of the heel section around a lower part of the heel section and through the arch section along a longitudinal direction of the shoe, the reinforcing structure broadening from adjacent the opening to substantially cup a lower posterior portion of the calcaneus and then narrowing toward the arch section, the reinforcing structure in the arch section being arranged to closely match flexion of the arch in pointe position without the appearance of bunching of the shoe upper in the arch section.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to dance footwear to be worn on a human foot and methods of making such footwear. The footwear may comprise: a fabric tube formed of a continuous elastic material to receive and partially cover the foot, the tube comprising a heel end and an opposite toe end having at least two toe openings to receive toes; and at least one floor-engaging forefoot pad disposed on the tube near the toe end to underlie a ball of the foot; wherein the tube defines first and second openings at the heel end and a heel strap to extend around the Achilles tendon of the heel between the first and second openings and thereby retain the footwear on the foot.