Present aspects are directed to an interlocking braided shoe and midsole system comprising a midsole insert having a plurality of protruding studs and a braided upper comprising a tubular containment structure. The tubular containment structure has a first zone comprising a first braid density and first braid configuration defining a plurality of apertures located on a top surface of the braided upper and a second zone having a second braid density and a second braid configuration defining a plurality of apertures located on the bottom surface of the braided upper. The plurality of apertures of the second braid configuration correspond to the plurality of protruding studs such that the plurality of protruding studs extend below an exterior surface of the braided upper through the plurality of apertures of the second braided configuration, coupling the bottom surface of the midsole insert with the braided upper.

The invention relates to a self-assembled shoe and a method of manufacturing thereof. The self-assembled shoe comprises one or more locking systems for connecting a shoe base with one or more shoe components. The locking system is manually releasable upon actuation by a user at an actuating portion of the shoe base, and is substantially covered from view from an exterior of the shoe when assembled. The locking system further comprises an actuator arranged to be in direct contact with a medium of shoe base at the actuating portion, such that actuation at the actuating portion of the shoe base is directly transmissible through the shoe base medium to the actuator of the locking system to thereby actuate the locking system. The invention also relates to a covering member adapted to substantially cover one or more recesses defined by a female locking member of the locking system for the self-assembled shoe as described above. The covering member comprises one or more extensions configured to conform with the respective one or more recesses thereby, when the covering member is arranged to engage the female locking member, the one or more extensions are receivable by the respective one or more recesses to substantially cover the one or more recesses.

A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

Systems and processes for reinforcing components of articles of wear are disclosed. The processes can include applying a thermoplastic powder to a component of an article of wear and levelling at least a portion of the thermoplastic powder. The processes can also include applying thermal energy to the component and the thermoplastic powder. Further, the processes can include compressing the thermoplastic powder and the component.

Systems and processes for reinforcing components of articles of wear are disclosed. The processes can include applying a thermoplastic powder to a component of an article of wear and levelling at least a portion of the thermoplastic powder. The processes can also include applying thermal energy to the component and the thermoplastic powder. Further, the processes can include compressing the thermoplastic powder and the component.

An upper may be included with an article of footwear. The upper may include a textile portion, the textile portion forming a throat area of the upper. The upper may further include a base portion, the base portion extending to a biteline area of the upper. The upper may further include a tie structure, the tie structure extending through a first opening of the textile portion and a second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion.

An upper may be included with an article of footwear. The upper may include a textile portion, the textile portion forming a throat area of the upper. The upper may further include a base portion, the base portion extending to a biteline area of the upper. The upper may further include a tie structure, the tie structure extending through a first opening of the textile portion and a second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion.

The present invention relates to a sandal, in particular a trekking sandal, that comprises a sole for forming a separation layer between a foot area and the floor and at least one strap that is connected to the sole and serves the fastening of a foot in the sandal. The sandal is characterized in that the strap forms a loop that is adapted to deflect a strap guided through the loop in a fastening region by fastening two strap sections to one another.

A last for forming an upper of an article of footwear includes an exterior surface, where the exterior surface includes a plurality of three dimensional structural surface components disposed over at least 50% of the exterior surface of the last.