Footwear with Metatarsal Offloading

Abstract

A high heeled shoe and shoe sole insert are provided that are configured to provide relief from the forces on the foot created by walking in high heels. The shoe comprises a layered sole having an outsole, a midsole, and an insole. The midsole of the shoe comprises a cutout that is positioned over the metatarsal pressure point of the user's foot when positioned within the shoe. The cutout is filled with a shock absorbing material, such as Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, and includes a layer of paperboard for further cushioning. The shoe sole insert similarly includes a metatarsal padded region and a medial longitudinal arch pad to provide a layer of cushioning above the midsole of a user's footwear. The present invention provides relief while wearing high heels by cushioning the user's foot in high pressure zones, thereby relieving the pressure and reducing injuries or soreness.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A high heeled shoe, consisting of:
 a sole comprising an outsole, a midsole, an insole, a forward toe portion, a metatarsal head region and a rear heel portion;   the forward toe portion configured to correspond in position to a toe region of a wearer's foot;   the metatarsal head region configured to correspond in position to a metatarsal region of the wearer's foot;   whereby the midsole is covered by a coextensive layer of material disposed between the midsole and the insole;   the midsole and the coextensive layer of material comprising a single cutout positioned at the metatarsal head region, the single cutout contained entirely within the metatarsal head region;   the single cutout having a depth less than a depth of the midsole, wherein the single cutout extends through more than one layer of the sole;   a shock absorbing material positioned within and enclosed by the single cutout, the shock absorbing material disposed between the insole and a lower surface of the single cutout;   whereby the shock absorbing material is adapted for attenuating forces in the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot while walking.   
     
     
         2 . A high heeled shoe, consisting of:
 a sole comprising an outsole, a midsole, an insole, a forward toe portion, a metatarsal head region, and a rear heel portion;   the forward toe portion configured to correspond in position to a toe region of a wearer's foot;   the metatarsal head region configured to correspond in position to a metatarsal region of the wearer's foot;   whereby the midsole is covered by a coextensive layer of material disposed between the midsole and the insole;   the midsole and the coextensive layer of material comprising a single cutout positioned at the metatarsal head region, the single cutout contained entirely within the metatarsal head region;   the single cutout having an upper edge and an opposing lower edge, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge are disposed entirely on distinct planes parallel to one another each plane traversing an outermost lateral edge of the sole to an outermost medial edge of the sole;   wherein the single cutout extends entirely from the outermost lateral edge of the sole to the outermost medial edge of the sole;   a shock absorbing material positioned within and enclosed by the single cutout, the shock absorbing material disposed between the insole and a lower surface of the single cutout;   whereby the shock absorbing material is adapted for attenuating forces in the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot while walking.