Footwear comprising a sole formed from a first resilient material for attenuating the shock of impact to a wearer during running or walking, and a second material harder than the first material for providing firm support for a foot. The sole has heel, arch and toe sections, each of which have medial and lateral regions. The sole also has a forefoot section having a first region for supporting the first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot, associated phalanges and metatarsal phalangeal joints, and the metatarsal necks associated with the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads, and a second region for supporting the metatarsal necks associated with the second and third metatarsal heads. The sole is formed so that the first resilient material is positioned in the lateral region of the heel section, the lateral region of the arch section, and the first region of the forefoot section, and so that the second harder material is positioned in the medial region of the arch section, and the second region of the forefoot section.