An insole embedded with germanium includes a upper layer, a lower layer and a germanium-plated blade interposed between the upper layer and the lower layer. The germanium-plated blade includes a metal sheet covered by a germanium-plated layer. The germanium element of the germanium-plated blade can release drifting negative electrons to prevent breeding of microbes and improve blood circulation of user's sole.

Disclosed is footwear including a ventilation and shock-absorbing device having an air pump and a check valve for passing air supplied by the air pump. The footwear includes an air chamber provided at a front of the check valve for storing the air supplied through an inlet passage connected to the check valve, and an air tube having one or more discharge holes for discharging the air stored in the air chamber into the footwear.

A shoe protection device comprises a metal or plastic member having an arcuate backwall and integrally formed sidewalls which project toward curved distal ends. The device may be formed of an elastically deflectable core part having an outer coating or overmolded layer or a removable sleeve, or the sidewalls and backwall may be formed of a single solid part. The device is adapted to be slipped over the heel of a shoe or boot to protect same while the wearer of the shoe or boot is driving a motor...

Shoe comprising an upper (30), a sole (50) and an insole (40; 140), characterized in that it uses an insole (40) formed by at least one element (20; 120) of soft material joined on top of an element (10; 110) of rigid material.

A midsole includes a thick plate-shaped or column-shaped cushioning portion. A plurality of grooves is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cushioning portion. The respective grooves are helically formed around a substantially vertical line. The respective grooves are arranged substantially parallel with each other. A range .alpha. in which each of the grooves is formed is larger than a range of 15 degrees around the axial line and is smaller than a range of 180 degrees around the axial ...

A footwear cushioning system including an insole and a midsole that define a chamber containing multiple, hollow, inverted, truncated cones. The insole includes a plate having a downwardly extending rib to define a recess. The midsole includes a midsole plate including an upwardly extending wall and multiple upwardly opening hollow, inverted frusto-conical cushion cells. The wall interfits within the rib, and the cushion cells abut against the insole plate. An outsole shell is direct-attached to...

According to the invention, a cleat for sport shoes has a locking pin for automatically locking the pin in a receptacle of the sole of the shoe through a spring, and a release mechanism for moving the spring to a releasing position upon rotation of the cleat for releasing the cleat.

A sandal comprising a sole having a plurality of lace holes, grooves, and rings used for arranging at least one lace in a variety of styles when securing the sandal to the foot of the wearer. In other embodiments, the lace can be illuminated and the sole can have multiple layers.

Ergonomic systems which provide medical therapy, comfort and enhanced function are provided. Surfaces are provided with adjustable contour, transient force damping and temperature. The technologies are applied to footwear, seating surfaces an cryotherapy devices. The cooling and cryotherapy system employ an evaporator in close proximity to skin, and therefore employ methods to reduce risk of frostbite. Advanced control and power supply options are disclosed.

Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts includes a sole having an elastomeric mid-sole with elastomeric pads combined in a heel recess thereof such that the pads act in series with each other and in parallel with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof. At least one of the pads includes a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient. In another embodiment, the heel of the mid-sole is replaced by a toroidal gas cushion and an elastomeric pad inclu...