An orthotic insert formed of a resilient molded flexible plastic support member, a thin layer of vinyl applied to the upper surface, and a spongy resilient heel post mounted on the lower surface in the heel region. The insert extends from beneath the heel to a location proximal of the heel of the metatarsal joints of a user's foot. The insert is flexible enough to accommodate variations in individual feet without the need for custom fitting, yet resists flex sufficiently to beneficially limit excessive foot pronation and thereby minimize injuries associated therewith.

Shoe insoles comprise two layers of non-woven fibre fleece adhered to an impermeable plastics film. In preferred constructions at least one layer of woven reinforcing fabric is included and more than one plastics film layer may also be included in the insoles.

A shoe construction characterized by flexible layers of inelastic material sandwiching a resilient mid-sole serves to provide stability to the length and width of the sole over a trailing portion thereof.

An insert for a shoe sole is provided which includes a strip made of an elastic material disposed between an outer sole portion and an upper sole portion of the sole of a shoe. The strip extends from the outer heel area of the shoe to the border of the large toe area of the shoe. The strip forms a rocker bottom which cradles the first metatarsal head of the foot of the wearer. The roll point of the rocker bottom is disposed in a range of from the toe break of the wearer to approximately 2.5 centimeters behind the toe break of the wearer.

Apparatus is provided for maintaining the tuckboard of footwear in a particular shape. The apparatus includes a tuckboard member made from a sheet of deformable material such as a fiberboard. Retention members are attached to the opposite surfaces of the tuckboard at localized positions such as where the tuckboard has been or is to be deformed. One of the retention members is in compression and the other is in tension. Each of the retention members may be thermosetting or a thermoplastic composite material formed from fibers (preferably non-woven) impregnated and covered with a thermoplastic material. The fibers may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass and aramid. The thermoplastic material may be an acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate or ABS. The retention members help to maintain the tuckboard in a particular shape. The retention members may be initially attached to the tuckboard, and the retention members and the tuckwear may subsequently be deformed to the desired shape. Alternatively, the tuckboard and the retention members may be separately deformed to the desired shapes initially and the retention members may be subsequently attached to the tuckboard. In either alternative, the inner sole and the outsole are then attached to the tuckboard. This embodiment has a particular utility to ladies shoes.