Abstract: A shoe has an activity level meter that displays, in a highly noticeable fashion, such as by lighting bright LEDs, the highest level of activity reached by a wearer of the shoe. In one embodiment, the display is a three-element LED display in which zero to three LEDs flash briefly, but brightly each time the weight of the wearer is fully pressed against the inner sole of the shoe during a period of activity. A period of time after the activity ends, the LEDs light again for a longer period of time to indicate the highest level of activity reached during the activity period.

Abstract: A shoe of the present invention comprises a sole, a flexible bladder, and a cushioning material. The sole has a recess configured to receive the flexible bladder. The flexible bladder has interior surface portions defining at least one chamber. The chamber includes a first region and a second region. A cushioning material occupies the first region and a compressible fluid occupies the second region. The compressible fluid provides a primary elastic response to an external pressure applied to an external surface of the bladder through compression of the compressible fluid. The cushioning material, elastically deformable but generally incompressible, provides a secondary elastic response to the external pressure applied to the external surface of the bladder through elastic deformation of the cushioning material.

Abstract: A shoe having a resilient sole, an upper secured to the sole, and a rockable member within a cavity in the sole. The rockable member is configured for side-to-side rocking in the sole cavity between a neutral position and a tilted position as the wearer's foot is moved relative to the sole between a neutral position and a tilted position.

Abstract: A shoe of the present invention comprises a sole, an upper secured to the sole, and a lateral support member. The sole includes an outsole and a midsole. At least a portion of the midsole overlies at least a portion of the outsole. The lateral support member is positioned generally between the midsole and outsole. The lateral support member includes a transverse portion and an upstanding portion. The transverse portion comprises an inner section spaced laterally from the upstanding portion and a ramped section between the inner section and the upstanding portion. The transverse portion extends laterally relative to the midsole from an area generally adjacent a first side of the midsole toward an opposite second side of the midsole. The ramped section inclines upwardly from a bottom section of the upstanding portion toward the inner section of the transverse portion. The upstanding portion is connected to and extends upwardly from the ramped portion adjacent the first side of the midsole.

Abstract: A method of making a shoe having a midsole, an upper, and an outsole. The method comprises providing a shoe midsole having a cavity in an underside thereof. The cavity is filled with a fluid which is curable to an elastomeric solid condition, and the fluid is allowed to cure to such solid condition. An outsole is secured to the underside of the midsole so that the outsole underlies the cavity, and an upper is secured to the midsole.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a shoe sole containing a cushioning fluid filled bladder and a clip holding the bladder in a set position in the shoe sole and providing enhanced lateral and medial stability to the sole.