Abstract: An electrostatic dissipative footwear comprises a conductive insole and a conductive outsole spaced by a non-conductive mid sole. An electronic device extends through the mid sole for connecting the insole and the outsole in electrically conductive relationship. The electronic device includes a resistor for precisely controlling current flow between the insole and the outsole, and an active electrical device, such as a fuse, for protecting the wearer against electrical shocks.

Abstract: A metatarsal guard for footwear comprises an arched body which covers a dorsal surface of a wearer's metatarsal foot area. The arched body has lateral bottom edges for engaging a footwear sole to transmit loads from the arched body to the footwear sole. Slits are defined in a rear portion of the arched body so as to form a longitudinally extending central T-shaped tongue and two longitudinally extending lateral tongues in order to increase the flexibility of the metatarsal guard. The T-shaped tongue has a rear edge extending in a concave curved line transversally of the footwear so as to prevent transmission of punctual loads to the wearer's foot. By optimizing the number and the configuration of the tongues, both the wearer's comfort and protection are maximized.