Disclosed herein is a shoe construction for providing increased cushioning
effects. The shoe includes a sole, a footbed, and a layer of a plurality of deformable
protrusions disposed between at least a portion of the sole and the footbed, particularly
in the heel and the forefoot area of the shoe. Each of the protrusions includes
a tip facing and freely movable with respect to a lower surface of the footbed.
Each of the protrusions also includes a base fixedly attached to the sole so that
the base does not move relative to said sole. The protrusions provide cushioning
by bending when a foot presses down upon them. An alternate embodiment shows the
cushioning sole adapted for use in a sandal.