| 摘要 |
Footwear intended primarily for outdoor use, wherein a variety of ground conditions are likely to be encountered, has a sole with traction elements inspi red by the hoof of a mountain goat. In several embodiments, an interior region of the sole is provided with a plurality of pairs of relatively soft protruding pods, while a p erimetric region surrounding the interior region includes a plurality of relatively hard l ugs provided on opposite sides of the pod pairs. The pods extend downwardly below the lugs su ch that they will make initial ground contact and compress. The compression cushions ini tial impact and increases the area of ground contact to improve traction on firm smoo th surfaces. The compression also brings the lugs into ground engagement, followin g initial contact, to improve stability and traction on irregular and soft ground surfaces . Other embodiments of the invention implement similar principles, in soles having a mor e conventional (less goat hoof-like) appearance. In one embodiment, relatively sof t rubber outsole lugs take the place of the pods. In another embodiment, the sole include s combination lugs including relatively hard and soft portions of differing height . In a further embodiment, an interior region of a water sandal sole includes relativel y soft traction elements in the form of relatively large soft regions of the midsole co vered with a thin layer of rubber outsole material; the interior region is surrounded by a perimeter of hard lugs.
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