Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having a sole with a first part, a second part, and a top surface extending from the first part to the second part. The shoe also includes a welt attached to a localized area of a perimeter of the second part and an upper having an inside and an outside, where the outside is attached to the welt in the second part of the sole and where the inside is attached to the top surface in the first part of the sole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe for providing enhanced comfort and protection to a user's foot having a sole with a top surface, an upper placed above the top surface, an optional arch made of a single unit of malleable material and placed between the top surface and upper, and an optional metatarsal guard made of a single unit of malleable material and placed between the top surface and upper. A bootie having a bottom is removably attached to the top surface by a securing mechanism placed between the top surface and bottom of bootie. The invention also includes a method for making the shoe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having a sole with a first part, a second part, and a top surface extending from the first part to the second part. The shoe also includes a welt attached to a localized area of a perimeter of the second part and an upper having an inside and an outside, where the outside is attached to the welt in the second part of the sole and where the inside is attached to the top surface in the first part of the sole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having a sole with a periphery and a recess. The recess extends laterally across the sole from periphery to periphery and the recess also slopes downwardly toward a rear of the shoe. An insole having a flexible material and placed on top of the recess is provided and wherein the flexible material flexes in cooperation with the recess for enhancing flexibility of the shoe.

Abstract: Footwear and its method of construction are provided. An insole forepart is attached to the bottom of the sock liner. An upper having a vamp lining with a toe part is provided where toe part is stitched to the sock liner such that the vamp lining and the sock liner together define a volume for receiving a wearer's foot. A steel toe is positioned substantially around the toe part of the vamp lining. An outsole having a forward portion formed of a material having a first resiliency characteristic is provided. A stiffener is positioned between the forward portion of the outsole and the insole forepart where the stiffener is formed of a material having a second resiliency characteristic less than the first resiliency characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a shoe with a footbed, an insole having a first layer and a second layer, where the first layer includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The second layer includes a top surface, a bottom location, and a hole extending from the top surface to the bottom location. Additionally, the shoe includes a protrusion extending from the footbed through the first layer to the bottom location of the second layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a shoe with a footbed, an insole having a first layer and a second layer, where the first layer includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The second layer includes a top surface, a bottom location, and a hole extending from the top surface to the bottom location. Additionally, the shoe includes a protrusion extending from the footbed through the first layer to the bottom location of the second layer.

Abstract: Footwear and its method of construction are provided. An insole forepart is attached to the bottom of the sock liner. An upper having a vamp lining with a toe part is provided where toe part is stitched to the sock liner such that the vamp lining and the sock liner together define a volume for receiving a wearer's foot. A steel toe is positioned substantially around the toe part of the vamp lining. An outsole having a forward portion formed of a material having a first resiliency characteristic is provided. A stiffener is positioned between the forward portion of the outsole and the insole forepart where the stiffener is formed of a material having a second resiliency characteristic less than the first resiliency characteristic.

Abstract: Footwear for protecting a wearer's foot includes an upper an upper that defines an opening for receiving a wearer's foot and an outsole attached to the upper, the upper further including a vamp having a proximal and a distal region, an elastic instep guard positioned on an instep portion of the upper to protect a metatarsal region of the foot, the elastic instep guard extending from the distal region to the proximal region of the vamp which is attached to the toe portion of the steel toe. The instep guard has a plurality of hollow passages.

Abstract: Footwear and its method of construction are provided. An insole forepart is attached to the bottom of the sock liner. An upper having a vamp lining with a toe part is provided where toe part is stitched to the sock liner such that the vamp lining and the sock liner together define a volume for receiving a wearer's foot. A steel toe is positioned substantially around the toe part of the vamp lining. An outsole having a forward portion formed of a material having a first resiliency characteristic is provided. A stiffener is positioned between the forward portion of the outsole and the insole forepart where the stiffener is formed of a material having a second resiliency characteristic less than the first resiliency characteristic.

Abstract: Footwear and its method of construction are provided. An insole forepart is attached to the bottom of the sock liner. An upper having a vamp lining with a toe part is provided where toe part is stitched to the sock liner such that the vamp lining and the sock liner together define a volume for receiving a wearer's foot. A steel toe is positioned substantially around the toe part of the vamp lining. An outsole having a forward portion formed of a material having a first resiliency characteristic is provided. A stiffener is positioned between the forward portion of the outsole and the insole forepart where the stiffener is formed of a material having a second resiliency characteristic less than the first resiliency characteristic.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an outer boot having a sole and an upper that together define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements, an outer waterproof bootie sized and shaped to fit snugly within the volume, and an inner bootie disposed within the outer bootie. The outer bootie has a waterproofing layer impervious to penetration by water for keeping the wearer's foot dry in wet conditions, and a thermal insulating layer for preventing thermal loss. The inner bootie includes another thermal insulating layer for further preventing thermal loss.

Abstract: Footwear for protecting a wearer's foot includes an upper an upper that defines an opening for receiving a wearer's foot and an outsole attached to the upper, the upper further including a vamp having a proximal and a distal region, an elastic instep guard positioned on an instep portion of the upper to protect a metatarsal region of the foot, the elastic instep guard extending from the distal region to the proximal region of the vamp which is attached to the toe portion of the steel toe. The instep guard has a plurality of hollow passages.

Abstract: Footwear for protecting a wearer's foot includes an upper an upper that defines an opening for receiving a wearer's foot and an outsole attached to the upper, the upper further including a vamp having a proximal and a distal region, an elastic instep guard positioned on an instep portion of the upper to protect a metatarsal region of the foot, the elastic instep guard extending from the distal region to the proximal region of the vamp which is attached to the toe portion of the steel toe. The instep guard has a plurality of hollow passages.