Abstract: A split sole shoe has a front outer sole with an outwardly facing recessed section and a heel member with an inwardly facing recessed section, the outwardly facing recessed section being connected to the inwardly facing recessed section in an overlapping configuration so as to form an interior relief groove exposing a portion of the inwardly facing recessed section and an exterior relief groove exposing a portion of the outwardly facing recessed section, thereby increasing the flexibility of the shoe in the region which flexes while taking a heel-to-toe step. A toe cap portion is formed together with the front outer sole so as to provide a smooth and continuous transition from the top of the toe cap to the bottom of the front outer sole, thereby enabling an infant or child to drag the toe portion of the shole without stumbling or tripping on a protuberance in the transition region.

Abstract: Footwear for infants and toddlers which allow the child's foot to relax in a natural, "barefoot" condition, i.e., without exerting substantial pressure on the toes and sides of the foot, and which facilitate the fitting of the shoe onto the foot. The shoe comprises a sole and an upper fastened to the sole for surrounding the sides and heel of the foot. The upper includes a pair of flexible side regions having a respective pair of edge regions which extend rearwardly substantially from a forward end of the toe portion of the sole in mutually spaced relationship for overlying the toe and instep regions of the foot. A tongue is fastened to the upper at its forward end and only to a side region of the upper which itself is fastened to the forward end of the toe portion of the sole so that the side edges of the tongue are unconnected to any part of the upper. The tongue extends rearwardly for covering both the toe and instep regions of the foot.