Abstract: A tread pattern for a shoe is provided that improves the comfort, grip, and/or other aspects of the shoe as perceived by a consumer when the shoe is worn. The tread pattern comprises a plurality of tread members positioned on at least a portion of the bottom surface of the outsole of the shoe. In some instances, the plurality of tread members may be arranged in nested rows to form the tread pattern. In other instances, the plurality of tread members may be arranged in other configurations to form different tread patterns. Additionally, the tread members may be substantially V-shaped and include a first arm, a second arm, and a vertex. Each tread members may be contoured such that at least a portion of the tread member protrudes a greater distance from the bottom surface of the outsole of the shoe than at least another portion of the tread member.

Abstract: An insole board for a high-heel shoe, said insole board includes a heel supporting area having a concave heel cup adapted to underlie a heel of the wearer, a medial arch support area adapted to underlie the arch of the wearer's foot and extending toeward of but short of the ball of the wearer's foot, and a forefoot area adapted to underlie the ball of the foot and forefoot of the wearer. The medial arch support area has a raised contour for supporting a portion of a sole of the wearer's foot underlying the wearer's arch, and the forefoot support area includes a hollow having a resiliently deformable material therein.