Abstract

A molded outsole for an athletic shoe including molded, non-metallic studs or cleats includes a plurality of first substantially identical studs and a plurality of second substantially identical studs. The first studs have a shape characterized by three partially-overlapping frustoconical shapes, blended together to present an outline which does not retain dirt, in a triangular pattern, and produce a stud shorter than a second stud. The second studs have a shape characterized by a large frustoconical portion bounded by two partially-overlapping smaller frustoconical portions, of equal height, arranged to define a generally arcuate shape presenting a concave face and a convex face, the large frustoconical portion and the two small frustoconical portions being appropriately filleted to produce a smooth surface which does not retain dirt. These second studs may be oriented to support traction primarily in a predetermined direction, and to allow pivoting. The smaller studs may be oriented appropriately to provide lateral traction and to prevent an edge of the outsole from digging in. The disclosed outsole is useful without modification for the sports of baseball and football, and similar sports, and may be easily modified, by the removal of a stud, to be appropriate for the sport of soccer.