Provided is a footwear article (100) which comprises a generally elongate sole (10) for engagement with and support of the foot of a person. Said sole (10) has an upper surface and a lower surface, a first portion (16) being for interaction with at least the heel region of the foot of the person and a second portion (18) for interaction with at least the metatarsal region of the foot of the person and a foot engagement means (20) for securing the footwear article (100) to the foot of the person. The first portion (16) of the sole (10) includes a first material having a first material property, and the second portion (18) of the sole (10) includes a second material property having a second material property; and said first portion (16) and said second portion (18) extend at least to the upper surface of the sole (10) and the first material property provides for dampening of load impacted to the foot of the person upon contact with a surface.