A sole component for footwear combining the desirable response
characteristics of a fluid filled chamber and an elastomeric material is
disclosed. The chamber can be formed as a single bladder chamber in
contact with an elastomeric midsole or as a single chamber by a sealing a
void in elastomeric material. Alternately, an insert having the shape of
the bladder, and potentially formed from foam, may be positioned within
the chamber. The interface between the chamber and elastomeric material
is sloped and gradual so that the shape of the chamber and its placement
in a midsole determine the combination of response characteristics in the
sole component. The chamber has a relatively simple shape with one axis
of symmetry with a rounded portion and a narrow portion.