IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FOOTWEAR

摘要

An item of footwear including an outsole, an insole and a midsole 101 with one or more shear force-reducing coupling elements 130a, 130b that permit limited displacement, in a plane parallel to the ground, of overlying components of the shoe. The elements provide less resistance to displacement in a first direction than in a second reverse direction. The midsole has upper and lower layers that can be sheets of synthetic plastics, foam or non-woven material and be between 2mm and 5mm thick. The coupling elements can be incorporated into the outsole and be in contact with the ground and can also permit lateral movement of the layers of the sole above them. The elements may be in the form of blocks made from rubber or elastomeric material. The footwear may be a running trainer or shoe for people susceptible to getting foot ulcers.