The sole unit (12) for a shoe includes a directional element (16), a
cushioning element (18) and a heel cradle (20). The sole unit (12) may be
attached to a shoe upper (14) by conventional methods, such as by gluing,
stitching, or other means of bonding or physical attachment. The sole unit
(12) provides foot support, cushioning, energy return, stability, torsion
control, and optionally abrasion resistance to the user. The functional
advantages of this construction of the sole unit (12) are primarily
achieved through the directional elements (16) and cushioning element
(18), each of which handle certain distinct functions of the shoe (10).
