Abstract: An athletic shoe includes an outsole assembly and a shoe upper whose quarter sections extend above the ankles. A cut out area extends over one ankle, around the heel and over the ankle within the quarter sections, and a collar closes the cut out area. The collar includes a high density foam lamina to support and protect the ankles, and, because of its pliability, potential pressure points exerted on the foot with accompanying irritation are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An athletic shoe adapted for field sports, such as football, baseball, softball and the like including a plurality of raised elements integral with and extending from the sole portion of the footwear is disclosed. A substantial majority of the raised elements are located in individual, spaced groups of interlocking raised elements and upon flexing of the sole portion during each step and repeated cycles of foot movement collected debris from between individual groups of raised elements and between the interlocking raised elements of each group will release and separate from the sole portion.

Abstract: A control device for footwear, such as an athletic shoe, including a body having a base with relatively flat upper and lower surfaces and a wall extending upwardly around a heel portion to extend along both a medial and lateral portion to an end. The body is formed of plastic to be yieldable, but relatively sturdy for support of the foot in a neutral plane and control roll of the foot during a running cycle.

Abstract: A counter for footwear, such as athletic shoes mounted on the sole of the footwear within the region of the heel and superposed on the lasted upper to extend toward the instep. The counter has a body contoured to extend around the heel and along the sides of the footwear and tapers from a maximum height at the heel toward the sole. The counter is formed of a stiff, relatively unyielding material. The medial side extends to the instep and together with the material of the body encourages normal range of motion to reduce running related injury.