Patent ID: 8490302

Claim:
An article of footwear comprising: an upper for receiving a foot of a wearer; and a sole structure attached to the upper and positioned generally below the foot, the sole structure having at least one opening formed therein extending through the sole structure and being constructed to allow a portion of the foot of the wearer to contact a ground surface; wherein the sole structure comprises: a heel portion configured to receive a heel of a wearer and cover at least a portion thereof so as to provide cushioning and protection to the heel of the wearer; and ball portion configured to receive a ball of the foot of the wearer and cover at least a portion thereof so as to provide cushioning and protection to the ball of the foot of the wearer; and wherein the at least one opening comprises an opening formed in a midfoot region of the sole structure, between the heel portion and the ball portion, in an area adjacent to a metatarsal arch of the wearer.