A footwear construction including an articulated welt. The footwear includes an upper and an outsole secured together with a welt in the forward portion of the footwear. The welt terminates short of the heel region of the footwear. In one embodiment, the outsole in the heel region is secured to a heel cradle which is further secured the upper. The footwear provides the durability of a welt construction in the forward portion of the shoe and the comfort and cushion of an athletic construction in the heel region of the shoe. A method for constructing the footwear includes securing an outsole to an upper with a welt in a forefoot and/or arch region of the shoe but not the heel region 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 in the heel region.

A supinator strap integrated with an athletic shoe, sock, or brace for preventing foot and ankle injuries. In the shoe, the supinator strap includes an arch support band that extends from the bottom of the shoe, just under the arch area, around the inner side of the shoe and over the top of the shoe, toward the outer side of the shoe. The supinator strap further includes a rear ankle support band that extends laterally from the arch support band and wraps from the inner side of the shoe, around the rear ankle/heel and toward the outer side of the shoe. In a preferred embodiment, both the foot and rear ankle support band and the arch support band are fully adjustable. The supinator strap provides additional support and stability to the foot and ankle when the shoe is worn, thereby helping to prevent injuries caused by excessive supination or pronation of the foot and ankle. A bridge support helps cushion the foot. An ankle stabilizing strap helps prevent ankle injuries by stabilizing the forefoot, heel, and ankle. In the sock and the brace, the supinator strap operates in a similar manner.

An article of footwear that includes a bottom assembly, the bottom assembling including at least a wear sole and an element for reinforcing the bottom assembly, and an upper including a reinforcement element coupled to the reinforcement element of the bottom assembly. The coupling of the element for reinforcing the bottom assembly and of the element for reinforcing the upper is flexible at least in a transverse direction.

An article of footwear is disclosed having an upper secured to a longitudinal sole with a frame preferably having a stabilizing band extending between axially decoupled heel and opposite forefoot portions of the sole. The band has a central portion extending above the heel and forefoot portions of the sole and adjacent to an upper such that the forefoot and heel portions of the sole may axially pivot about a longitudinal axis parallel to and above the longitudinal axis of the heel and forefoot portions while resisting deflection in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the sole, thereby supporting a foot along its entire longitudinal length while permitting the article of footwear to conform with the axial movements of an athlete's foot while running. In a preferred embodiment, the axis of axial pivoting is the axis of pronation of a foot while running in the shoe.

The present invention is an article of footwear having a stabilizing element incorporated into a sole structure. The stabilizing element is located primarily in the midfoot region of the footwear but extends into both the forefoot and heel regions. In one embodiment, the stabilizing element includes five stabilizing members that extend from a connecting member. The function of the stabilizing members is to provide support along the longitudinal length of the foot so as to limit non-axial, vertical flexion in the midfoot and heel regions; permit the forefoot to axially flex in relation to the heel; and permit forefoot flexion.