Abstract: A shoe including an upper; a bottom located below the upper and facing the ground; and a flexible plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an interior portion and peripheral portions is disclosed. The flexible plate is positioned between at least a portion of the bottom and at least a portion of the upper. The peripheral portions are restrained from movement in a substantially vertical direction relative to the interior portion, so that the interior portion is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a substantially vertical direction. The flexible plate has a width that is greater than one-half the width of the upper. At least one opening is in the bottom of the shoe. The lower surface of the flexible plate is in air communication with the outside of the shoe through the at least one opening in the bottom of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe including a heel support integrally formed of a material different from the midsole material of a rear sole for supporting the foot of a user. The heel support includes a wall along at least one of the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe that extends vertically at least in part and includes at least one window through which at least a portion of the midsole material of the rear sole is exposed to and visible from outside the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe including a heel support integrally formed of a material different from the midsole material of a rear sole for supporting the foot of a user. The heel support includes a wall along at least one of the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe that extends vertically at least in part and includes at least one window through which at least a portion of the midsole material of the rear sole is exposed to and visible from outside the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe including an upper; a bottom located below the upper and facing the ground; and a flexible plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an interior portion and peripheral portions is disclosed. The flexible plate is positioned between at least a portion of the bottom and at least a portion of the upper. The peripheral portions are restrained from movement in a substantially vertical direction relative to the interior portion, so that the interior portion is capable of being deflected relative to the peripheral portions in a substantially vertical direction. The flexible plate has a width that is greater than one-half the width of the upper. At least one opening is in the bottom of the shoe. The lower surface of the flexible plate is in air communication with the outside of the shoe through the at least one opening in the bottom of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe having an open interior, a plate positioned between the bottom of the shoe and a portion of the upper, and at least one opening extending from the bottom of the shoe into the midsole for providing air communication with the interior of the upper. In one embodiment, the opening has a height as measured from the bottom of the shoe along a vertical central axis that is greater than one-half the thickness of the rear sole. In another embodiment, the opening extends through the plate.