Abstract: A heel-counter stabilizer is provided for attachment to an athletic shoe having a heel member of resilient material. The stabilizer is adhesively bonded to the exterior of the shoe in a manner which provides both vertical and longitudinal support and bracing between the shoe counter and heel member. The stabilizer is particularly effective to counteract counter "run-over" and heel wear caused by either pronation or supination. It also helps to prevent compression and blowout of the midsole and heel wedge.

Abstract: A foot bed insertable into a shoe and heat moldable to conform to the user's foot is provided. The foot bed comprises a three layer laminate in which the base, or bottom, layer comprises a relatively thick, heat deformable foam rubber material which maintains a compression set upon cooling. The middle layer is of foamed elastomer which is highly resistant to permanent deformation both of ambient temperature and at the moderately elevated temperatures used in molding the base layer. A top, or face, layer which is thinner and less compressible than the middle layer acts to uniformly distribute compression loads to the middle layer and to transmit lateral movements for absorption within the middle layer.

Abstract: A protective inner sole having a laminated, two layer foam construction is provided. The lower or base layer comprises an elastomeric foam having high resilience and elasticity and the top or face layer is less resilient and less elastic. The thickness of the base layer is substantially greater than that of the face layer.