This invention relates generally to footwear such as a shoe, including an
athletic shoe, with a shoe sole, including at least one removable midsole
section formed by a midsole portion, wherein the removable midsole
section is non-orthotic. The removable midsole section is inserted within
the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole
includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be
formed in part by the removable midsole section. The removable midsole
section may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of
the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments
or components. The removable midsole section provides the capability to
permit replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out
in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole. The shoe
sole can, in another embodiment, include at least one compartment
containing a fluid, a flow regulator, a pressure sensor to monitor the
compartment pressure, and a control system such as a computer processor
capable of automatically adjusting the pressure in the compartment(s) in
response to the impact of the shoe sole with the ground surface.