Tripod Running Shoes

Abstract

A running shoe having an improved sole including one or more cushioning elements disposed at or around one or more of the foot's tripod strike points, wherein such cushioning elements may optionally be connected to each other by one or more bridges and the region bounded by the cushioning elements is vertically enlarged to provide added space for various structures of the foot to deform.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper;   a sole having a triangular shaped sole insert, wherein the triangular shaped sole insert includes:
 a heel impact elastomeric element; 
 a first metatarsal impact elastomeric element; 
 a fifth metatarsal impact elastomeric element; 
 a first bridge connecting the heel impact elastomeric element to the first metatarsal impact elastomeric element; 
 a second bridge connecting the heel impact elastomeric element to the fifth metatarsal impact elastomeric element; and 
 a third bridge connecting the first metatarsal impact elastomeric element to the fifth metatarsal impact elastomeric element; and 
 wherein the first bridge, second bridge, and third bridge each have a concave dome shape.