Ventilating footwear provides air circulation under and around the foot.
Apertures in the heel and/or sole and/or midsole communicate with an air
compartment in the heel and/or sole and/or midsole, and as the wearer
strides, the heel and/or sole and/or midsole are compressed, expelling
the air from the compartment and into the footwear upper. The top side
surface of the sole or midsole may also be provided with a plurality of
air channels which direct and circulate air from the compartment around
and underneath the wearer's foot. The footwear may also provide shock
absorbence and energy return through the compressible heel and/or sole
and/or midsole, and may have a rigid or semi-rigid midsole, which
provides support, as well as cushioning below the midsole for comfort.