The invention relates to a sole (1) of a shoe, particularly of an athletic shoe, wherein the sole (1) has an extension in a longitudinal direction (L) and an extension in a vertical direction (V) perpendicular thereto, wherein a number of recesses (2) is introduced into the sole (1), wherein the recesses (2) extend in a transverse direction (Q) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and perpendicular to the vertical direction (V) and permeate the sole (1) at least in part. In order to influence the spring behaviour of the sole in a desired, specified manner, according to the invention, there is a first group of recesses (2′) which, without external forces on the sole (1), are larger in the vertical direction (V) than in the longitudinal direction (L), and that there is a second group of recesses (2″) which, without external forces on the sole (1), are smaller in the vertical direction (V) than in the longitudinal direction (L), wherein at least in sections, at least one row (3, 4) of recesses (2′, 2″) is arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction (L), wherein a recess (2″) of the second group is arranged between two recesses (2′) of the first group.