Patent ID: 8631590

Claim:
An article of footwear, comprising: an upper; and a sole system having a bottom surface configured to contact a ground surface; the bottom surface comprising an arch portion, a medial portion and a lateral portion; the arch portion including at least a first V-shaped slot portion and a second V-shaped slot portion separated by a separating portion; and each of the first V-shaped slot portion and the second V-shaped slot portion having a wide portion open to the medial portion and a narrow portion disposed on the lateral portion; wherein the first and second V-shaped slot portions and the separating portion form a continuous recessed periphery portion of the bottom surface and a portion of the upper is exposed through the first and second V-shaped slot portions adjacent the continuous recessed periphery portion of the bottom surface; and wherein the at least first and second V-shaped slot portions are configured to provide flexibility to the arch portion.