An article of footwear comprising: a sole (105; 1405) including a forefoot portion (103; 1403), an arch portion (108; 1408) and a heel portion (104, 1404); a resilient curved plate (120; 1420) configured for deflection when a force is applied to an upper surface of the sole (105; 1405) and to recover to a non-deflected state when the force is removed; the curved plate (120; 1420) further including a central portion (140; 1440) and at least one leg portion (151, 152, 153; 1452) extending outwardly away from the central portion (140; 1440); a plurality of tread members (380; 1480) including a first tread member (381, 383; 1481) and a second tread member (382, 384; 1482) disposed on a peripheral sole portion (199; 1499) of the sole (105; 1405), the first tread member (381, 383; 1481) and the second tread member (382, 384, 1482) being separated by a gap (391, 392, 393; 1383); characterized in that the curved plate (120; 1420) includes a peripheral portion (122; 1422) which is associated with the peripheral sole portion (199; 1499) of the sole (105; 1405) and is disposed outwards of the central portion (140; 1440), wherein the peripheral portion (122; 1422) partially surrounds the central portion (140; 1440) and the at least one leg portion (151, 152, 154; 1452) joins the central portion (140; 1440) to the peripheral portion (122; 1422); and in that an outer end portion (161, 171, 181) of the at least one leg portion (151, 152, 153; 1452) is disposed adjacent to the gap (391, 392, 393; 1483), wherein the at least one leg portion (151, 152, 154; 1452) extends to the peripheral portion (122, 1420) through the gap (391, 392, 393; 1383) between the tread members and wherein a portion of the at least one leg portion (151, 152, 153; 1452) which is inserted in the gap (391, 392, 393; 1383) between the first tread member (381, 383; 1481) and the second tread member (382, 384; 1482) when the sole (105; 1405) is compressed is pushed downward through the gap (391, 392, 393; 1383) when the curved plate (120; 1420) is deflected downward when the force is applied to the upper surface of the sole (105; 1405). a sole (105; 1405) including a forefoot portion (103; 1403), an arch portion (108; 1408) and a heel portion (104, 1404); a resilient curved plate (120; 1420) configured for deflection when a force is applied to an upper surface of the sole (105; 1405) and to recover to a non-deflected state when the force is removed; the curved plate (120; 1420) further including a central portion (140; 1440) and at least one leg portion (151, 152, 153; 1452) extending outwardly away from the central portion (140; 1440); a plurality of tread members (380; 1480) including a first tread member (381, 383; 1481) and a second tread member (382, 384; 1482) disposed on a peripheral sole portion (199; 1499) of the sole (105; 1405), the first tread member (381, 383; 1481) and the second tread member (382, 384, 1482) being separated by a gap (391, 392, 393; 1383); the curved plate (120; 1420) includes a peripheral portion (122; 1422) which is associated with the peripheral sole portion (199; 1499) of the sole (105; 1405) and is disposed outwards of the central portion (140; 1440), wherein the peripheral portion (122; 1422) partially surrounds the central portion (140; 1440) and the at least one leg portion (151, 152, 154; 1452) joins the central portion (140; 1440) to the peripheral portion (122; 1422); and in that an outer end portion (161, 171, 181) of the at least one leg portion (151, 152, 153; 1452) is disposed adjacent to the gap (391, 392, 393; 1483), wherein the at least one leg portion (151, 152, 154; 1452) extends to the peripheral portion (122, 1420) through the gap (391, 392, 393; 1383) between the tread members and wherein a portion of the at least one leg portion (151, 152, 153; 1452) which is inserted in the gap (391, 392, 393; 1383) between the first tread member (381, 383; 1481) and the second tread member (382, 384; 1482) when the sole (105; 1405) is compressed is pushed downward through the gap (391, 392, 393; 1383) when the curved plate (120; 1420) is deflected downward when the force is applied to the upper surface of the sole (105; 1405).