Patent ID: 8671590

Claim:
A shoe comprising: a stability layer positioned within the shoe and dimensioned to flex to cup around a user's heel; a stability wall formed as one piece with the stability layer, wherein the stability wall extends downward from a heel portion of the stability layer and is dimensioned to angle outward from the stability layer when the stability layer is compressed under the user's heel, the stability wall comprising: a back section dimensioned to curve around a back side of the heel portion of the stability layer; a lateral side section and a medial side section, the lateral side section extending along a lateral side of the heel portion of the stability layer, the medial side section extending along a medial side of the heel portion of the stability layer, wherein the stability wall is continuous through the back section, the lateral side section, and the medial side section; a midsole layer positioned below the stability layer, the midsole layer comprising an opening, wherein: a hardness of the midsole layer is less than a hardness of the stability wall, the stability wall extends downward from a bottom surface of the stability layer and through a surface of the midsole layer such that the stability wall is positioned within the opening in the midsole layer, the stability layer is positioned over the stability wall and the midsole layer such that, when the stability layer is compressed under the user's heel, the stability wall forces sides of the stability layer to cup around the user's heel, the stability wall curves around a central heel portion of the stability layer in a generally U-shaped manner to form a void, and a heel portion of the midsole layer fills the void.