A footwear base (320) and a structurally designed footwear bracing system (340) including a footwear base is provided. The footwear bracing system reduces the likelihood of ankle injuries when incorporated in a variety of footwear. The footwear bracing system permits the production of a very high structurally designed footwear base (320) by coupling it to and working in unison with a simple articulated but structurally designed support system (340). Very large forces can exist with this footwear and moderate but very injurious forces can be experienced in many types of footwear and these forces cannot be controlled by the ankle alone. Using the principles of the present invention these forces can be transferred to and resisted by the lower leg. The support system controls the forces generated by the footwear height or ground unevenness and relieves the ankle of this task. The support structure enables articulation of the ankle joint and therefore allows the wearer to move in a normal manner safely and with ease.