US Patent 9516916 Footwear with improved sole

An article of footwear including an outer sole assembly and an upper, the outer sole assembly extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise between a surface for contact with the ground and a surface for connecting to the upper, the sole assembly including a first reinforcing layer extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise between a distal surface and a proximal surface, the first reinforcing layer having transverse slits. The sole assembly includes a wear layer and a first damping layer, the wear layer demarcating the contact surface. The first damping layer is located between the wear layer and the first reinforcing layer.