An item of footwear

An item of footwear comprising:

• a securing means for securing the item of footwear to a foot of a user;
• and
• a sole for engaging a foot of a user in use, the sole having a heel region for supporting the heel of a wearer in use and a forward region for supporting the forefoot of a wearer in use, wherein:
• the sole has first and second lateral edges;
• the thickness of the sole along the first and second edges tapers in the forward region so as to reduce in the forward direction;
• and
• in the forward region between the first and second lateral edges the sole comprises a first central region in which the thickness of the sole is maintained or increased in the forward direction.

A method of manufacturing a sole for an item of footwear, the method comprising:

• providing a midsole material comprising a thermoplastic elastomer;
• placing the midsole material in a mould;
• and
• heating the midsole material so that it expands to fill the mould, wherein:
• the midsole material has an expansion ratio of from 1.55 to 1.7.