| CPC A43B 13/188 (2013.01) [A43B 7/1425 (2013.01); A43B 7/1435 (2013.01); A43B 7/144 (2013.01); A43B 7/1445 (2013.01); A43B 7/148 (2013.01); A43B 13/125 (2013.01); A43B 13/127 (2013.01); A43B 13/187 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |

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1. A sole comprising:
a midsole;
a first sole region, wherein the first sole region comprises particle foam comprising particles of an expanded material; wherein the particles of an expanded material comprise expanded polypropylene (ePP), expanded polyamide (ePA), expanded polyether-block amine (ePEBA), expanded thermos-plastic polyurethane (eTPU), or combinations thereof;
a deformation region comprising an open space within the midsole, wherein the deformation region comprises a volume greater than that of a single expanded particle and is positioned so that it allows a sideward deformation of the particle foam into the deformation region under a pressure load on the sole; and
a frame element, which completely encircles the midsole except in a toe region and which limits the sideward deformation of at least a portion of the midsole under the pressure load on the sole.
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