Abstract: Described herein is a plurality of athletic shoes including a sole portion comprising a toe end and a heel end having a medial side edge extending from a midline of the heel end to a midline of the toe end and a lateral side edge extending from a midline of the heel end to the midline of the toe end; an upper portion comprising a medial portion having a lower edge attached to the medial side edge of the sole portion and extending from the midline of the toe end to around the medial side; the medial portion comprising a heel end portion for contacting with at least a portion of a wearer's heel and having a forefoot portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's forefoot; and a lateral portion having a lower edge securely attached to the lateral side edge of the sole portion and extending from the midline of the toe end along the lateral side to a point before the midline of the heel end; the lateral portion comprising a heel end portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's hee

Abstract: An article of footwear that exhibits enhanced whole boot breathability and reduced wet pickup is provided. The footwear article includes an upper having an inferior and superior compartment; a mechanism for joining the superior and inferior compartments together; a protective cover; and an outer sole.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure extends longitudinally from a back edge to a front edge of the article of footwear and transversely from a medial side to a lateral side of the article of footwear. The sole structure includes an outsole having a ground-contacting layer. A first rib projects upward from the ground-contacting layer. The rib has side walls and an end wall. A channel is defined by the side walls and end wall. The channel opens downward through the ground-contacting layer and has a depth extending above the ground-contacting layer. The rib may have a multi-stage vertical stiffness profile. The sole structure may include a midsole attached to the outsole. An article of footwear having the sole structure attached to an upper is also provided.

Abstract: A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a shoe having the steps of providing an upper, a sole, and a stitching; washing the upper for achieving a weathered appearance of the upper without subjecting the stitching and sole to the washing; and softening the sole. The method also comprises stitching the sole and the upper together with the stitching; working the sole to weather an appearance of the sole; drying the upper and sole together for disfiguring the upper and sole and for achieving a generally uniform weathered appearance; cyclically working the sole to match the appearance of the upper; and cyclically working the upper to match the appearance of the sole. The invention also includes the shoe.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear having a direct attach sole component includes providing an upper and a receptacle shell that defines a receptacle adapted to receive a cushion insert. A molding insert is placed into the receptacle, and the upper is joined with the receptacle shell. A mold is closed about the receptacle shell and at least a portion of the upper to form a mold cavity corresponding to the direct attach sole component. Material is introduced into the mold cavity to form the direct attach sole component. The mold insert protects the shell from deformation during the molding process. The mold insert is removed and replaced with a cushioning insert after the molding process. The footwear can optionally include a partially transparent shell that supports a sole component that receives a cushion insert, such that the cushion insert and/or sole component are visible through the shell.

Abstract: A novel shoe construction provides a unique fit and feel to the shoe wearer's foot. The shoe construction is a variation in what is typically called vulcanized shoe construction. Wherein the conventional vulcanized shoe construction bands of flexible material are permanently adhered or vulcanized to the shoe sole and to a portion of the upper adjacent the shoe sole, in the shoe construction of the invention upper sections of the bands are let loose by being unattached to the shoe upper. In addition, a toe cap of the shoe and a heel counter of the shoe are secured to the shoe sole, but are unattached to the shoe upper. This construction results in a shoe that not only has a unique appearance, but also has a unique feel to the shoe wearer's foot with the upper surrounding the foot being free floating along the sides of the foot as well as across the toes and heel of the foot.

Abstract: Articles of footwear that include a flexible or rigid sole portion with a shape and size as to correspond to a foot of a wearer, a sole portion having a periphery, a toe region in the front area of the sole portion, a heel region in the back area of the sole portion, and an instep region between the toe and heel regions. Also included is an upper portion connected to the sole portion to form a partially open enclosure for receiving and containing a part of the foot of the wearer and a flexible tubular sleeve which is attached to the sole portion's instep region. The flexible sleeve includes an attachment portion for attaching the flexible sleeve to the instep region of the sole portion, an outwardly opened toe portion for containing the front part of the foot and the toes of the wearer, an outwardly opened heel portion for containing the back part of the foot and the heel of the wearer, and an insertion portion for enveloping the ankle of the wearer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having a sole with a first part, a second part, and a top surface extending from the first part to the second part. The shoe also includes a welt attached to a localized area of a perimeter of the second part and an upper having an inside and an outside, where the outside is attached to the welt in the second part of the sole and where the inside is attached to the top surface in the first part of the sole.

Abstract: A shoe with a breathable and waterproof sole and upper, including a breathable and waterproof sole, an assembly associated with the sole in an upward region, an external breathable upper, an internal lining and, between them, a breathable and waterproof membrane, and an at least partially perforated or breathable insole, which is joined at least to the upper and to the breathable and waterproof membrane. The shoe thereby has a sole that is joined hermetically and peripherally to the assembly at the connecting region between the upper and the breathable and waterproof membrane.

Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper, a midsole including a midsole flange, and an outsole shell including an outsole flange. The flanges can project outwardly, away from the upper in the forefoot portion. The flanges can be joined with a direct attach bond and a lock stitch. The flanges can each terminate short of the heel portion. The lock stitch can terminate short of the heel portion, and can be visible above and below the joined flanges. The midsole can include a fully exposed and viewable portion in the heel portion of the footwear. The midsole can include a heel cup integrally formed with the midsole flange. A method for constructing the footwear includes direct attaching a midsole to an upper and an outsole including an outsole flange. The midsole can form with a midsole flange, and the midsole flange and outsole flange can be stitched together with a lock stitch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to a construction method wherein a first front portion of a shoe is manufactured by a first method and a second rear portion of the shoe is manufactured by a second different adhesive gluing method. The present invention provides a novel incorporation differing shoe construction methods to overcome substantial manufacturing detriments while retaining the ability of the shoe construction to respond to fashion or appearance type needs.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to sole structure and the upper is formed from three layers: a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is formed from a polymer material and molded to the first layer, but the second layer may alternately be molded to the third layer. The third layer is joined with at least one of the first layer and the second layer such that the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer.

Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper secured to a platform defining an aperture, a cushion at least partially in the aperture, a California construction joined with the upper that wraps the platform, and an outsole. The California construction can terminate short of the heel, and the upper can join the platform via another construction, for example, by adhering the upper to the platform, in the heel. The cushion insert can define one or more recesses, such as concave contours in which the toe(s) of a wearer can rest to reduce the profile of the toe(s) above the cushion insert. A method for making the footwear is provided, including: joining an upper with a platform defining an aperture on a last; placing a cushioned insert within the aperture; wrapping a California flange around a portion of the platform; and joining an outsole with the platform, the cushioned insert and/or the upper.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of an upper and a segmented sole structure. The sole structure may include an insole portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements disposed within an outsole unit. The insole is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of flexible regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for reinforcing the connection between the vamp and the outsole, and includes: a vamp including a lateral vamp and a bottom vamp; a connecting medium member including a first part enclosing the lateral vamp, a second part extending perpendicularly from a lower portion of outside of the first part, a third plane extending perpendicularly from an inside of a lower portion of the first part, an outside connected to the connecting medium member and the lateral vamp. The second part includes holes whose axes are perpendicular to the bottom vamp. A material forming the outsole fills a gap between third part and the bottom vamp, and the holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe and method for providing a shoe having an outsole with an outside surface, an upper, a liner with an inside surface, and a stitch extending from the outside surface through the upper to the inside surface, where the stitch is a sole securing mechanism for securing the outsole, upper, and liner together. The stitch secures the outsole, upper, and liner together without cement.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a watertight, breathable shoe structure in which the shoe structure comprises an exterior upper with a lower end, an interior upper with a lower end, an insole with a continuous outer edge and an outsole, with the interior upper having a watertight, water vapour permeable functional layer on the side facing towards the exterior upper, characterised in that at least one of the sewn seam joints relating to the interior upper with the watertight, water vapour permeable functional layer is formed such that a tape made from a thermoplastic material is first placed between the parts of the shoe structure to be joined, in the area of the intended sewn seam, said tape having a melting temperature in the range from 60° C. to 85° C., that the parts are then sewn together and that after sewing the tape is caused to melt at least in the area of the sewn seam.

Abstract: A shoe construction wherein the upper is secured to the outsole by a stitch, and the upper folds inwardly in a first portion of the shoe and outwardly in a second portion of the shoe. The stitch allows an upper row of the stitching to be visible on the outside of the upper in one portion of the shoe but not visible on the outside of the upper in a different portion of the shoe.

Abstract: An item of footwear comprises an upper adapted to receive a foot of the wearer. A sole is secured to a bottom surface of the upper. A shell is positioned on a front-end portion of the upper so as to cover the toe region of the upper. The shell has an extension projecting below a junction between the upper and the sole to cover at least the junction in the toe region of the item of footwear.

Abstract: Articles of footwear include a textile upper member with an exterior constructed from knitted textile material, the exterior including a region with stability ribs and a second unribbed region. The region(s) having stability ribs may be located, for example: along a lateral midfoot side of the upper member; along a forefoot portion of the upper member; and/or along a medial midfoot side of the upper member. Other articles of footwear include an upper member having exterior and interior textile elements joined together in a stitchless manner at the foot-receiving opening of the upper member. The exterior surface of this upper member also may include one or more regions with stability structures. The stitchless textile engagement techniques can provide a smooth, non-bulky, and breathable joint that does not require thick layers of textile material in contact with or adjacent the wearer's foot.

Abstract: According to the invention, a shoe is produced by firstly forming a shoe upper piece (8), made up of an upper (7) and an inner sole (5), sewn to the upper (7), which is bonded to a sole (4) in the assembled shoe. A sole tread (2) is introduced into a casting mould (1) and then filled with a cork/latex mixture in a pasty state. A fillet (9) is then introduced into the shoe upper piece (8) and the unit thus produced, placed from above into the casting mould (1), such that the casting mould (1) is sealed thereby. It is important that only the sole edge (10) rests on the edge of the casting mould (11) and the fillet (7) is fixed internally to the inner sole (5), such that the shoe base material presses the inner sole (5) against the edge of the upper (12), lying on the fillet (9).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing footwear. The footwear has an upper and an outsole with an upraised portion, such as a toe bumper or a heel bumper. The method uses a mould comprising a last, upon which the upper is arranged, an upper mould part divided into two side parts being laterally movable in relation to a lower mould part between a first and second position, and the lower mould part being vertically movable in relation to the upper mould part between a third and fourth position.

Abstract: A structure of the bottom of shoes is provided. The bottom of shoes includes a bent portion whose top portion is shaped concavely between the rear heel and the rear heel; and an elastic restoring portion equipped in the bent portion, so that the bottom of shoes may adhere to the heel constantly. The rear heel of the bottom of shoes is lifted up toward the heel constantly, thereby coming off of the bottom of the shoes can be effectively prevented. Further, convenience in walking can be increased because coming of the bottom of the shoe can be prevented. Still further, an explosive muscular strength can be increased through increased adherence because the real heel of the bottom of shoes is adhered to the heel constantly. Still further, various foot-ware can be worn easily regardless of the size.

Abstract: This present invention describes a system of waterproof shoes with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) insteps, including vamp, instep and sole, in which the waterproof welt coated with waterproof glue is gummed on the seam between the vamp and the sole; the metal section, instep, mid-sole and inner welt is formed in integration by injecting with TPU polyurethane, in which the outer and inner welts are gummed with glue and sewn firmly with threads on the opposite sides of the instep; a metal piece is put between the thin bottom and the filling materials on the bottom side of the instep. The waterproof methods (the waterproof outer surface of the instep, and the waterproof welt coated with waterproof glue and gummed on the seam between the vamp and the sole reach the purpose of saving the materials and labor, obtaining the waterproof effects which is even better than those of the traditional waterproof shoes and may provide more functionality and better visual effects.

Abstract: A sandal having easily adjustable straps that allows a user to quickly modify the tightness of the sandal to adjust to the exact dimensions of the user's foot in order to secure the most comfortable grip for either casual or athletic activities. The sandal exhibits a lightweight, robust, high strength, flexible construction including an elongated sole for supporting a foot, where the sole has a toe end and a heel end, a center toe strap, an interior strap, and an exterior strap. The toe strap is anchored in the toe and includes a distal end fixedly connected to a pivot means, such as a buckle, for securing and redirecting the side straps. The interior and exterior straps are fixedly secured near the middle of the sole of the sandal and extend forwardly with a slip fit through the front pivot means, then rearwardly back upon themselves.

Abstract: Methods for making footwear products include: (a) applying cement to a surface of an upper and/or midsole; (b) cooling the upper and/or midsole so that these parts will move relative to one another despite the cement's presence; and (c) placing the midsole in the upper. Additional methods include: (a) providing an upper having an interior chamber; (b) placing a prelast member including a midsole allowance part into the chamber; (c) removing the prelast member; and (d) placing a midsole in the chamber. The upper and/or midsole may have cement applied thereto and may be cooled before the insertion step, as described above. When sufficiently cooled, the cement will not immediately bind the parts contacting it, but it will allow relative movement of these parts. After the midsole is positioned in the upper, the assembly may be heated to activate the cement and fix the parts together.

Abstract: The invention comprises an item of footwear, comprising: a) an upper sole, shaped to receive a user's foot, and including a toe cap portion, a heel portion, and a sole portion, which is formed from a lightweight, thermally insulative plastics material; b) a lower sole, formed from a resilient plastics material, the lower sole attached to and at least partially covering the sole portion of the upper sole and operative to protect the upper sole from direct physical contact with the ground and to minimize wear on the upper sole; and c) an upper attached to the upper sole.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system to enable shoes with a removable swappable toe-piece which also provides for a plurality of toe-covers that matingly engage an existing shoe toe cover that may change the contour of the existing toe cover in addition to coloration changes.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that is at least partially formed from a base layer and thread sections that lie adjacent a surface of the base layer. The thread sections are positioned to provide structural elements that, for example, restrain stretch in directions corresponding with longitudinal axes of the thread sections. In some configurations of the footwear, a first portion of the thread sections may extend between forefoot and heel regions of the footwear, and a second portion of the thread sections may extend vertically. An embroidering process may be utilized to position the thread sections on the base layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a shoe which comprises at least an upper, an insole and an outsole. The lower edge of the upper is formed with a plurality of teeth-like extensions, and the insole has a plurality of slits for allowing the teeth-like extensions passing downward therethrough and to be glued and bonded with the outsole. The shoe structure may further include a peripheral shielding band stitched around the lower portion to avoid the rain, liquid or water running along the teeth-like extensions and penetrate through the slits.

Abstract: A method of making a sole for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic adhesive film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe, especially to a sports shoe, with a shoe upper (1) and a sole (2, 3) consisting of at least two parts, wherein at least one part of the sole (2) is arranged in the forefoot region and at least on part of the sole (3) is arranged in the rearfoot region, wherein the shoe upper (1) has at least two cutouts (4, 5) in the region facing the ground, wherein the size and the shape of the cutouts (4, 5) correspond to those of the parts of the sole (2, 3) in their contact region with the shoe upper (1), wherein the parts of the sole (2, 3) are inserted into or are placed at the cutouts (4, 5) and are connected with the shoe upper (1) permanently.

Abstract: At least one invention pertains to an article of footwear having a foot-receiving portion and a sole portion attached via at least one binding element. In one aspect, an article of footwear includes a foot-receiving portion configured to extend over a portion of a foot of a wearer, and the foot-receiving portion being configured to extend to medial and lateral side of the foot, and the foot-receiving portion including a binding element. A sole portion having a top surface for contacting the foot and a lower surface for a least a portion provided ground engagement. A plurality of apertures extending through the top surface and lower surface, the apertures are configured to receive the binding element therein to attach the foot-receiving portion to the sole portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe having an outsole with an inside surface and an outside surface. The shoe also has an upper placed above the inside surface and a stitch that extends through the upper and the outsole for securing the upper and outsole together, wherein the stitch also extends from the outside surface to the upper in generally alternating diagonal directions so that the stitch intersects itself.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper that is at least partially formed from a base layer and thread sections that lie adjacent a surface of the base layer. The thread sections are positioned to provide structural elements that, for example, restrain stretch in directions corresponding with longitudinal axes of the thread sections. In some configurations of the footwear, a first portion of the thread sections may extend between forefoot and heel regions of the footwear, and a second portion of the thread sections may extend vertically. An embroidering process may be utilized to position the thread sections on the base layer.

Abstract: A shoe according to embodiments of the present invention includes an upper, a footbed including a wing that extends around at least a portion of a periphery of the footbed, with the upper attached to the wing, and an outsole configured to receive the upper and the footbed. The wing may be bendable away from the footbed to permit easy and sturdy stitching of the upper to the footbed. The wing may extend beyond a bottom surface of the footbed, and an intermediate piece may be placed under the footbed before the footbed and upper are attached to an outsole, such that the intermediate piece substantially fills the space between the footbed and the outsole.

Abstract: A footwear construction including an upper secured to a platform defining an aperture, a cushion at least partially in the aperture, a California construction joined with the upper that wraps the platform, and an outsole. The California construction can terminate short of the heel, and the upper can join the platform via another construction, for example, by adhering the upper to the platform, in the heel. The cushion insert can define one or more recesses, such as concave contours in which the toe(s) of a wearer can rest to reduce the profile of the toe(s) above the cushion insert. A method for making the footwear is provided, including: joining an upper with a platform defining an aperture on a last; placing a cushioned insert within the aperture; wrapping a California flange around a portion of the platform; and joining an outsole with the platform, the cushioned insert and/or the upper.

Abstract: Shoe with slipper function both open and closed, of the type realised by means of perimetrical sewing (3) of the upper (2) on the sole (1), having the following characteristic: I—use of an elastically yielding flexible expanded plastic material sheet with alternatively variable thickness >2 mm and <8 mm, pierced (F) and bossed on its surface (e) and ribbed (i) on the opposite surface, the piercings being made in the thinness zones and then alternated by bossings (e); II—punching of said sheet in soles (1) and uppers (2); III—perimetrical sewing at the sole edge (3) of the upper (2) to the sole (1); IV—with the characteristic that said bossings (c) are placed towards the outside of the shoe both for the sole (1), thus toward the, floor, and for the upper, thus towards outside.

Abstract: A method of constructing an article of footwear having a molded integrated vamp and sole is described. The method comprises molding the integrated vamp and sole with an external cavity formed in an exterior surface of a heel portion of the integrated vamp and sole. A plug is formed for close fit in the cavity. The plug has inner and outer surfaces and a contour side wall. In one embodiment of assembly, a heat reactive glue is applied to a bottom surface of the cavity and the inner surface of the plug, and at least a portion of the heel portion, having the cavity, and the plug are heated whereby to soften the glue to effect a bond between the bottom surface of the cavity and the inner surface of the plug when the plug is placed in the cavity with the inner surface of the plug facing the bottom surface of the cavity. Pressure is applied across the heel portion and the plug to bond the plug in the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides method to help connect the vamp and the outsole, comprising: a vamp, comprising a lateral vamp and a bottom vamp; a connecting medium apparatus, comprising a first plane enclosing said lateral vamp, a second plane connected to said first plane and extending outward, a third plane connected to said second plane and extending downward, and a forth plane connected to said third plane and extending inward, wherein said second plane comprises a plurality of holes: and an outsole enclosing said connecting medium apparatus and said bottom vamp, wherein a material forming said outsole fills a gap between said forth plane of said connecting medium apparatus and said bottom vamp and said holes in said second plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a shoe having a sole with a top surface, a fore area, and a rear area. The shoe also includes a lip extending above the top surface and around a periphery of the fore area of the sole and around a periphery of the rear area of the sole. The shoe further includes an upper with a fore area and a rear area and being in contact with the lip. A first stitch is used to connect the fore area of the upper to the lip proximate to the fore area of the sole and a second stitch is used to connect the rear area of the upper to the lip proximate to the rear area of the sole.

Abstract: An automatic manufacturing-vending machine for sandals according to the present invention comprises a sole housing portion housing a plurality of soles for sandals according to a plurality of sizes, an upper housing portion housing a plurality of uppers for sandals according to a plurality of sizes, a size selecting portion for a user to select a desirable size of soles and uppers, a size selecting portion for a user to select a desirable size of soles and uppers, a compensation paying portion for a user to pay compensation for manufacturing and vending desirable sandals, an attaching mechanism portion for attaching uppers desired by a user to soles desired by the user, and a sandal ejecting portion for ejecting sandals formed by attaching the uppers to the soles by the attaching mechanism portion into a takeout opening from which a user can take out the same, and these are housed in a housing.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure and at least two elements that join to form the upper and the sole structure. The elements each form a portion of the upper and a portion of the sole structure. With regard to the upper, the elements each form a strap portion that, in combination, secures a foot to the footwear. With regard to the sole structure, the elements each form a portion of the foot-supporting surface and the ground-engaging surface. The elements may be joined through a snap-fit system involving protrusions and apertures, or adhesives may be used.

Abstract: Footwear with an upper and a sole construction having an outsole, in which the upper is constructed with an outer material and with a waterproof functional layer at least partially lining the outer material on the inner side of the latter and having an upper end region on the sole side with an outer-material end region and a functional-layer end region, the outsole (19) is joined to the upper end region, the functional-layer end region has an overhang projecting beyond the outer-material end region and an adhesive zone which is closed in the direction of the sole periphery and comprises a reactive hot-melt adhesive which brings about waterproofness when in the fully reacted state is applied to the overhang.

Abstract: An insert having opposed permanent magnets is placed between upper and lower portions of a shoe sole to soften impacts and improve propulsion. The upper and lower sole portions are interconnected by tongue-and-groove connections. An magnetic spring insert for the heel of a shoe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shoe includes an upper made of a waterproof breathable laminate which is composed of at least one outer layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a waterproof vapor-permeable membrane laminated to the inner surface of the outer layer; and an inner sole which includes a bottom plate and an inner sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom plate. The inner sidewall is connected to a bottom end of the upper. The bottom end of the upper ends at a level not lower than the bottom plate.

Abstract: The present invention addresses an elastomeric sole having a sidewall with a height less that 0.625 inch, forming a cavity and a horizontally disposed rim extending from the top surface of the sidewall. The sole includes at least two upstanding regions extending upwardly from the cavity lower surface, each region formed from elastomer and having a different effective modulus of elasticity. The invention also includes the combination of an elastomeric sole and an upper and a method for sewing an elastomeric sole to an upper by means of a converted sewing machine.

Abstract: A footwear construction including a midsole joined with an upper and an outsole secured to a bottom surface of the midsole. The midsole is direct attached to the upper with a process that forms flashing along the length of the shoe substantially only on the bottom surface of the midsole, but not the sidewalls of the midsole. This flashing is trimmed to form trim lines, which are concealed simply by securing an outsole to the bottom surface of the midsole.

Abstract: An integrated article of footwear including a waterproofing membrane direct attached to an upper of the footwear. An outsole is further secured to the membrane and/or the upper. In one embodiment, the membrane includes a visible aesthetic bead in the footwear forefoot region, but not the heel region. The membrane may be of greater thickness in the forefoot region to provide added rigidity. A heel cradle is positioned in the footwear heel region between the upper and the outsole. The footwear provides the durability of a direct attach construction in the forefoot and the comfort and cushion of an athletic construction in the heel of the shoe. A method for constructing the footwear includes direct attaching the membrane to an upper of the shoe. Optionally, a heel cradle is disposed in the heel region of the shoe, and the outsole is secured to the heel cradle and/or upper there.