A cleat receptacle for footwear. The cleat receptacle includes a
cleat-engaging structure surrounded by a flange. The flange includes
portions that are sloped with respect a plane perpendicular to the axis
of the cleat-engaging structure. The receptacle is molded into a shoe
outsole. Outsole material adjacent to sloped portions of the flange
resists twisting of the receptacle as cleats are inserted into or removed
from the receptacle. Paddle projections may be attached to the flange to
further resist twisting of the receptacle.