A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a first cushioning layer, a second cushioning layer, and a third cushioning layer. The first cushioning layer has a central portion, and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The first cushioning layer, the second cushioning layer, and the third cushioning layer are stacked with the second cushioning layer directly overlying the peripheral portion of the first cushioning layer, and the third cushioning layer overlying the second cushioning layer and directly overlying the central portion of the first cushioning layer. The first cushioning layer has a domed lower surface extending away from the second cushioning layer and the third cushioning layer and substantially centered under the central portion.

An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. An automated tensioning system can be configured to provide and perform a variety of functions associated with the fastening of the article of footwear. The automated tensioning system may tighten and loosen the article of footwear through the operation of a motor. The automated tensioning system may also be able to store and recall a preset tension level.

The system of the present application includes a battery structure, a control board, a charging port, a switch, and a light. The battery structure is configured to provide a source of power to illuminate the light. The switch controls the passage of power to the lights and is configured to optionally regulate a pattern of illumination. The charging port is configured to allow for the recharging of the battery structure. The control board is configured to regulate the communication of the switch to the light. The system is configured to provide a method of illuminating an area about the user. The system permits for the selective recharging of the power supply. The system is configured to permit optional remote control capabilities to allow a user to adjust, manipulate, and control one or more features of the lighting system from a device remote from the shoe.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

A surface element including a recycled polyurethane and a glycol or polyol additive is provided. The surface element has an increased tearability as compared to the recycled polyurethane. An article of footwear and methods of preparing an article of footwear are also provided.

An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a base layer, a plurality of strand segments, and a deposition layer. The base layer has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The strand segments are located adjacent to the first surface and extend substantially parallel to the first surface for a distance of at least five centimeters. The deposition layer is deposited upon the first surface and the strand segments, and the deposition layer is joined with the first surface and the strand segments. The deposition layer is applied using a screen printing process. Different inks can be used during the screen printing process to form the deposition layer and an indicia layer.

An article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity with a heel region, and a heel support device extending around the rear of a heel region from a lateral side to a medial side. The heel support device may include a plurality of slats and a base, the plurality of slats providing a progressive gradient of lengths and/or widths, and/or one or more pegs extending from the device for attachment to a footwear upper, and/or an elongated tip that may be disposed in a cavity of an extension of a heel collar of the upper.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper, a sole secured to the upper and including a stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper, where the stabilizing member includes a groove that separates the stabilizing member into a medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member, and the medial balancing member and the lateral balancing member move independently of each other to provide balance and stability on different terrains, and a support plate is positioned between the upper and the sole.

A fastener has an elastic body that extends to opposed ends, and a three dimensional sphere-like head connected to each of the ends of the elastic body. A plurality of apertures are formed through the elastic body, sized to enable one of the three dimensional sphere-like heads to be pushed through the aperture for securing the fastener. The fastener may be wrapped around two elements, and the head or heads may each be inserted through one of the apertures so that the fastener secures the two elements together.

The present invention discloses a swim fin, including an outsole, a middle sole and a shoe upper sequentially provided from bottom to top; wherein the shape and size of the outsole match the shape and size of a human foot, the outsole is a rubber outsole made of a rubber; the middle sole includes a support part matching the shape and size of the outsole, and a webbed paddling part extending outward along a peripheral of a sole part of the support part; the middle sole is a polyurethane middle sole made of polyurethane; the shoe upper is formed by sewing diving suit fabric; and the middle sole is integrally formed by an upper-containing injection moulding process using the polyurethane, the middle sole is respectively connected to the shoe upper and the outsole during the integral forming process of the upper-containing injection moulding process.