A lightweight, flexible gymnastic shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes an upper formed of a lightweight synthetic fabric. A relatively broad closure strap has a first end fixed to a medial inside surface of the upper in the area of the arch and a second free end for detachable attachment to the medial outside of the upper. A hook and pile fastener selectively fastens the second end of the closure strap to the upper. A sole is attached to an outer bottom surface of the upper, and is formed of a relatively thin resilient material located only below the toe, ball and heel areas. A liner is located inside the upper and extends along substantially the entire length of the inside top surface of the upper. The liner is formed of a relatively low density cushioning material. A metatarsal pad is located along the liner only in the area of the first and second metatarsal heads of a wearer's foot, and a heel pad is located along the liner in the heel area. The pads are formed of a shock-absorbing material different from and having a higher density than the material of the liner. An arch support is formed of a built up area of material positioned below the medial arch area.

In an instep support for footwear, as for example in athletic shoes, strap or band member(s) extend upwardly and angularly forwardly from the insole, or the insole insert, for the shoe, and incorporate a fastening device at the band ends, so that they can be either secured together over the instep of the foot, or applied and held in place by connecting with the surface of a component of the shoe; the band members may also extend upwardly from an approximate central location for the insole, so that not only will the instep portion of the foot be embraced by the support, but the lateral portions of the arch will likewise be snugly retained by the elastic band members to assure full arch support in addition to a firm embracing of the instep of the foot as contained within the constructed shoe. In addition, a harness integrally connects with the band members and extends rearwardly therefrom for extending around the heel of the foot in order to enhance the support of the foot during application of the shoe.

An orthotic foot device that can be fastened to a person's bare foot is provided. The orthotic has a U-shaped hindfoot supporting region and an arched midfoot supporting region. A method for stabilizing and supporting a bare foot with the orthotic is also provided. The orthotic can be taped to a bare foot so that the foot is held in a neutral position upon foot impact. The orthotic is particularly suitable for bare foot athletes such as dancers and gymnasts.

The invention relates to a shoe having an arch support extending from an interior of a shoe to an exterior of a shoe. The arch support can be adjusted from the exterior of the shoe. The arch support includes straps which each have a slide groove formed therein. On one end of each strap are strap eyelets. The shoe includes an upper having a slit opening separating an upper paneling and a lower paneling. The arch support is located within the shoe, and extends through the slit opening. Rivets connect the upper paneling and the lower paneling. The rivets are also aligned with and extend through the slide grooves on the arch support. Accordingly, the arch support straps may slide along the rivets to tighten or loosen the arch support within the shoe.