Abstract: A compartmentalized, variable cushioning sole construction in footwear having a top attached to an inner sole. The construction includes an outer sole and a flexible wall structure joining the peripheral edges of the inner and outer soles to form an enclosed space therebetween. This space is partitioned into fluid-tight, independently inflatable compartments corresponding to the heel, arch and ball regions of a foot. Resilient support structure in each of the compartments provides resilient weight support between the inner and outer soles when the compartments are deflated.