Abstract: An athletic shoe with an energy return system is provided. The shoe includes a shoe sole assembly having a midsole, at least one stabilizer plug in a recess in the midsole, and at least one outsole member. In an aspect, the stabilizer plug has at least one trampoline recess disposed in an upper surface thereof, and at least one projection extending from a lower surface thereof that substantially underlies at least a portion of the at least one trampoline recess. An upper surface of the outsole is adapted to complimentarily receive the at least one projection extending from the lower stabilizer plug surface such that when a force is applied to the lower outsole surface during a foot strike, the at least one trampoline recess receives underlying portions of the stabilizer plug to accommodate elastic deflection of the underlying portions of the stabilizer plug and the outsole.

Abstract: In one implementation, the present invention provides for a shoe comprising a shoe sole assembly and a shoe upper assembly. The shoe sole assembly comprises a midsole, at least one stabilizer plug, and at least one outsole member. The midsole has an upper midsole surface, a lower midsole surface, a midsole forefoot portion, and a midsole heel portion. The at least one stabilizer plug has an upper stabilizer plug surface, a lower stabilizer plug surface, at least one trampoline recess disposed in the upper stabilizer plug surface, and at least one projection extending from the lower stabilizer plug surface. The at least one projection substantially underlies at least a portion of the at least one trampoline recess. The lower midsole surface defines at least one stabilizer plug recess sized and shaped to receive a corresponding stabilizer plug. The at least one outsole member has an upper outsole surface and a lower outsole surface.