Abstract: A shoe and shoe sole insert having a heel portion slanted downwardly at a small acute angle from the medial side to the lateral side relative to the horizontal support surface, a forefoot portion slanted downwardly at a small acute angle from the lateral side to the medial side relative to the horizontal support surface, and a diagonally crossing ridge from the heel portion, across the midfoot portion to the forefoot portion. The heel portion has a central, resilient, compressible, calcaneal pad which is substantially unslanted, preferably with an air cavity therebeneath. The calcaneal pad protrudes upwardly above the upper surface of the heel portion. The metatarsal head pad extends upwardly above the upper surface of the forefoot portion. The pivot point or crossover point between the heel portion and the forefoot portion is preferably located a distance from the rear end of the insert equal to the insert length divided by 2.4.

Abstract: A shoe and polymeric shoe sole having a heel portion slanted upwardly at a small acute angle from the medial side to the lateral side relative to the horizontal support surface, a forefoot portion slanted upwardly at a small acute angle from the lateral side to the medial side relative to the support surface, and a diagonally crossing neutral zone in the midfoot portion. The heel portion has a central, resilient, compressible, calcaneal pad which is substantially unslanted, preferably with a downward, slightly convex configuration. The calcaneal pad protrudes downwardly below the slanted bottom surface at the lateral side of the heel portion and is recessed upwardly above the slanted bottom surface at the medial side of the heel portion. The metatarsal head pad extends downwardly below the slanted bottom surface at the medial side of the forefoot portion and is recessed above the slanted bottom surface at the lateral side of the forefoot portion.

Abstract: A walking shoe and walking shoe sole with the sole heel portion and forefoot portion having integral resilient flexible compression protrusions having maximum extension at the rear edge of the protrusion, curving upwardly forwardly therefrom, and bounded by a groove that extends along both side edges and across the rear vertically offset edge of the protrusion, the groove increasing in depth toward the rear of the protrusion. The rear of at least the forefoot protrusion is undercut. The upper surface of the sole has at least one transverse cavity just forwardly of the rear edge of the protrusion.

Abstract: A shoe construction is disclosed including a flexible forefoot portion having no rigid parts and which cushions the metatarsal head area of the foot when in use. A resilient memory pad, preferably of foam material, is positioned in an aperture formed in the metatarsal head support area in the bottom of the forepart of a force lasted shoe upper under a thin cover sewn around the aperture edges. The memory pad engages the top surface of an outsole. The memory pad and cover are compressible by the foot to the thickness of the upper bottom so that no protrusion or discomfort results when the foot is bearing weight. The outside bottom includes a molded pad, preferably of thermoplastic rubber, below and aligned with the memory pad for improved traction, gripping, wear resistance and cushioning. Various rear part constructions may be used including cement lasted assemblies.