Shoe having cushioning means localized in high impact zones

摘要

A shoe having improved sole component composed of a closed cell foam mid-sole which is adhered to at least a portion of the shoe's upper component. The mid-sole component has multiple thickened zones which are separated by multiple flex grooves between the zones. The thickened zones are provided in a fore foot and rear foot portions and underlie only the high impact regions of a wearer's foot during a wearer's gait cycle. An outer sole is attached to the outer bottom surface of the thickened zones of the mid-sole with the thickened zones being between the out sole and a portion of the upper component.