Abstract: An athletic shoe is provided with means for increasing lateral stability of the heel area to increase ankle stability and reduce the possibility of ankle fatigue due to misalignment of the ankle joint and the possibility of promotion or supination injury. The heel peripheral area of a midsole or heel lift portion is made of a harder material than the heel central area, and extensions of the outsole are provided at the sides of the heel portion to interconnect the outsole and a heel counter member to stabilize the heel counter, without inhibiting heel cushioning, and may be glued to a covering of the heel counter, and to the peripheral edges of the midsole and heel lift portions.