Abstract: A laced, lightweight athletic shoe which provides enhanced foot stability and comfort includes a top of a lightweight, flexible material, a U-shaped lacing margin stitched to the top and defining a lacing opening, and a reinforcing cover stitched to an overlying portion of the top. Inner and outer lateral straps form part of the reinforcing cover and extend upwardly from opposite sides of the front portion of the cover to the lacing opening and overlie the lacing margin. A stabilizing strap made of a non-stretchable material such as polyurethane underlies one or both of the lateral straps and extends from the lasting margin to the lacing opening to reinforce the upper and provide lateral stability to the foot of the wearer. The shoe further includes a removable insert comprising a resilient material having a pattern of resilient dimples over its bottom surface for shock absorption.