Abstract: A method of making a deep pile fabric that closely resembles natural sheepskin fleece. The method includes forming a length of pile fabric having fibers on one side and a scrim on an opposing side, where at least a portion of the fibers are natural wool fibers, and finishing the pile fabric as natural sheepskin by polishing the fiber side of the pile fabric, including guiding the length of pile fabric over at least two polishing rolls, where the two polishing rolls rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method of making a deep pile fabric that closely resembles natural sheepskin fleece. The method includes forming a length of pile fabric having fibers on one side and a scrim on an opposing side, where at least a portion of the fibers are natural wool fibers, and finishing the pile fabric as natural sheepskin by polishing the fiber side of the pile fabric, including guiding the length of pile fabric over at least two polishing rolls, where the two polishing rolls rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A shoe has a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion and comprises a sole having a base layer, a heel pedestal extending from the base layer, a lateral stabilizer pedestal extending from the base layer and positioned at least partially beneath the cuboid bone, and a medial stabilizer pedestal extending from the base layer and positioned at least partially beneath the navicular bone. During bipedal locomotion, the weight of a person wearing the shoe is supported on at least one of the heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal, thereby transferring the person's weight from the heel pedestal, to the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and to the medial stabilizer pedestal. The heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal include an outsole and a compressible base layer between the outsole and the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A shoe has a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion and comprises a sole having a base layer, a heel pedestal extending from the base layer, a lateral stabilizer pedestal extending from the base layer and positioned at least partially beneath the cuboid bone, and a medial stabilizer pedestal extending from the base layer and positioned at least partially beneath the navicular bone. During bipedal locomotion, the weight of a person wearing the shoe is supported on at least one of the heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal, thereby transferring the person's weight from the heel pedestal, to the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and to the medial stabilizer pedestal. The heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal include an outsole and a compressible base layer between the outsole and the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A shoe body including an upper operably connected with an outsole. The shoe body has a front portion and a back portion. An insole is disposed inside the shoe upper and has a substantially inelastic heel portion and a substantially elastic toe portion. A substantially rigid pressure plate is adjacent to the substantially elastic toe portion.