Sole with cushioning and braking spiroidal contact surfaces

A sole (12) for an athletic shoe (10) includes a oase member (42) having a main lower surface (22). A contact surface (26) extends downwardly from the oase member (42) to below the main lower surface - (22) in order to contact the ground or floor before the main lower surface (22) as the shoe (10) descends. The contact surface (26) includes a horizontally elongate, resiliently flexible spiroidal member (38). The spiroidal member (38) has a plurality of involutions - (56). Each involution (56) has a plurality of longitudi- ial portions (52-54) and a plurality of transverse portions (48-50). Portions (48-54) have flat bottom surfaces (30) for frictionally gripping the ground or loor disposed opposite the portions' attachments - (96) to base member (42). Portions (48-54) provide a braking, shock-absorbing and anti-slipping action in esponse to horizontal shear forces normal to them. In a preferred embodiment, contact surface (26) includes an endless member (34) that aids in entrap- ping a cushion of air upon downward force being exerted by the wearer's foot on the floor or ground. In a preferred embodiment, both a plantar contact surface (26) and a heel contact surface (28) are provided.