Abstract: A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear includes an outer peripheral band; a traction area defined within the outer peripheral band and including a removable traction member; and a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between the traction area and the outer peripheral band. The traction area includes an exterior ground engaging surface and an interior surface opposite thereto and the interior surface includes a peripheral flange defining a traction member receiving pocket, such that the removable traction member is insertable into and removable from the traction member receiving pocket.

Abstract: A shoe insole element includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a plurality of upper projections and a plurality of voids located alongside the upper projections. The lower portion includes a plurality of lower projections which extend into the voids to resist flexing of the upper projections toward one another under the action of a wearer's foot. The lower portion can be made selectively separable from the upper portion by the wearer to release the resistance to such flexing, or the lower portion can be permanently bonded to the upper portion. The stiffness of the upper and lower projections can be mutually different. The insole element can be configured for use in different regions of a shoe, such as the heel and/or arch regions, or it can constitute the entire insole.

Abstract: An athletic shoe support structure may include a midsole constructed to resiliently support a foot and a cradle positioned underneath the midsole. The cradle has a bottom and a sidewall upwardly extending from the bottom, where the cradle is arranged to receive the midsole in nesting relation. The cradle sidewall has at least one aperture and the midsole has at least one protrusion, where the protrusion is sized and shaped to engage the at least one aperture in the sidewall. The cradle and/or the midsole may be made of a foamed material.

Abstract: Shoes and shoe package assemblies include a scent-generating material for emitting a scent unusual to footwear, e.g., for attracting consumers and/or creating an impact in marketing.