Abstract: An adjustable mechanically cushioned heel for a shoe comprises a recess adjacent one of the lateral borders of the heel area and ground-engaging members removably attached to the recess. Each of the ground-engaging members includes a relatively stiff spring element to provide a cushioning effect at the one lateral border of the heel area. Independent adjustable couplings between the ground-engaging members and the recess allow the user to independently alter the spring constant of each spring element to vary the cushioning effect at the lateral border of the heel.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanically cushioned heel for a shoe comprises a heel insert attached to the heel area of the shoe and a ground-engaging member removably attached to the insert. The ground-engaging member includes a relatively stiff spring element to provide a cushioning effect in the heel area. An adjustable coupling between the ground-engaging member and the insert allows the user to alter the spring constant of the spring element to vary the cushioning effect of the heel.