Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole. The sole includes an upper sole member and a lower sole member of different materials. The lower sole member has a hole extending from its lower side to its upper side, and a projection of the upper sole member extends downwardly into the hole. The lower sole member further includes a longitudinal flex groove extending from a toe region to a front end of the hole, and from a rear end of the hole to a sole heel end. The longitudinal flex groove and hole combine to facilitate transverse flexion of the lower sole member in response to gait forces from the ground and a wearer's foot.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole. The sole includes an upper sole member and a lower sole member of different materials. The lower sole member has a hole extending from its lower side to its upper side, and a projection of the upper sole member extends downwardly into the hole. The lower sole member further includes a longitudinal flex groove extending from a toe region to a front end of the hole, and from a rear end of the hole to a sole heel end. The longitudinal flex groove and hole combine to facilitate transverse flexion of the lower sole member in response to gait forces from the ground and a wearer's foot.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has a lower sole member, a heel member, a shank member, a heel cushion, and a foot pad. The heel member extends downwardly from the lower sole member. The heel member includes a heel outer peripheral surface and an open top heel cavity. The lower sole member includes a top surface and a lower sole cavity extending downwardly from the top surface. The shank member has a shank midfoot portion and a shank heel portion. The shank midfoot portion is in the lower sole cavity and the shank heel portion is in the heel cavity. The heel cushion is in the heel cavity. The shank heel portion is sandwiched between the heel cushion and the heel member.

Abstract: A wedge shoe includes a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has a wedge member, a wedge cushion, and an inner sole member. The wedge member has an open top cavity. The wedge cushion is in the cavity of the wedge member. The inner sole member has a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The central portion has a central portion durometer hardness and the peripheral portion has a peripheral portion durometer hardness greater than the central portion durometer hardness. The upper is lasted to the peripheral portion of the inner sole member. The central portion of the inner sole member overlies the wedge cushion.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has a lower sole member, a heel member, a shank member, a heel cushion, and a foot pad. The heel member extends downwardly from the lower sole member. The heel member includes a heel outer peripheral surface and an open top heel cavity. The lower sole member includes a top surface and a lower sole cavity extending downwardly from the top surface. The shank member has a shank midfoot portion and a shank heel portion. The shank midfoot portion is in the lower sole cavity and the shank heel portion is in the heel cavity. The heel cushion is in the heel cavity. The shank heel portion is sandwiched between the heel cushion and the heel member.