Present aspects are directed to a braided upper comprising a tubular braided structure, which comprises an internal cavity and a plurality of apertures. The yarn of the tubular braided structure surrounds a perimeter of each of the plurality of apertures. The braided upper comprises a midsole positioned within the internal cavity and comprising a plurality of braid-receiving features mated with the yarn of the tubular braided structure. The braided upper and the midsole are keyed to one another when the yarn is mated with the plurality of braid-receiving features.

Present aspects are directed to a braided upper comprising a tubular braided structure, which comprises an internal cavity and a plurality of apertures. The yarn of the tubular braided structure surrounds a perimeter of each of the plurality of apertures. The braided upper comprises a midsole positioned within the internal cavity and comprising a plurality of braid-receiving features mated with the yarn of the tubular braided structure. The braided upper and the midsole are keyed to one another when the yarn is mated with the plurality of braid-receiving features.

A method and apparatus for printing onto a curved surface of an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include receiving the article and extruding a composite yarn from a nozzle. A method may include attaching the composite yarn to the curved surface by moving the nozzle in a direction aligned with a first axis and a direction aligned with second axis along the curved surface. The first axis may be approximately normal to the print surface and the second axis may be approximately normal to the first direction. The article may be repositioned during printing to accommodate nozzle movement.

A method and apparatus for printing onto a curved surface of an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include receiving the article and extruding a composite yarn from a nozzle. A method may include attaching the composite yarn to the curved surface by moving the nozzle in a direction aligned with a first axis and a direction aligned with second axis along the curved surface. The first axis may be approximately normal to the print surface and the second axis may be approximately normal to the first direction. The article may be repositioned during printing to accommodate nozzle movement.

An article of footwear having a removable outsole, midsole, and upper is provided. A portion of the upper may have a perimeter lip that may be coupled to a perimeter channel in an upper surface or side of the outsole. The midsole may be securely placed into the upper to further secure the upper to the outsole. The fit of the outsole, upper, and midsole generates a securely assembled article of footwear ready for user wear. In aspects, the removable outsole, midsole, and upper may be changed to customize the article footwear for the user.

An article of footwear having a removable outsole, midsole, and upper is provided. A portion of the upper may have a perimeter lip that may be coupled to a perimeter channel in an upper surface or side of the outsole. The midsole may be securely placed into the upper to further secure the upper to the outsole. The fit of the outsole, upper, and midsole generates a securely assembled article of footwear ready for user wear. In aspects, the removable outsole, midsole, and upper may be changed to customize the article footwear for the user.

Described is a shoe upper for a shoe, in particular an athletic shoe, wherein the shoe upper is laceless and comprises: (a.) a lateral portion; (b.) a medial portion; and (c.) at least an elastic intermediate portion between the lateral portion and the medial portion, wherein the stiffness of at least one of the lateral portion and the medial portion is at least 2 times higher than the stiffness of the elastic intermediate portion.

Sole structures including a plate including a first polyolefin resin, and an edge portion comprising a second resin are disclosed herein. The edge portion is more flexible or less rigid than the plate. Articles of footwear formed from the sole structures are also provided. Methods of making the polyolefin resin compositions, plates, edge portions, sole structures, and articles of footwear are also provided. In some aspects, the first polyolefin resin composition includes an effective amount of a polymeric resin modifier.

Methods of forming an article of footwear using a multipart strobel structure and a resulting article of footwear comprising an upper with a transition strip are described. The transition strip that has an outer perimeter edge, an inner perimeter edge, and a width between the outer perimeter edge and the inner perimeter edge, with the inner perimeter edge defining an internal opening of the transition strip, and the inner strobel that has an outer perimeter edge. The inner strobel is positioned in an overlapping relationship with the transition strip and temporarily attached.

Provided is, among other things, a shoe having a sole that includes multiple layers and an upper attached to and extending above the sole. In addition, the shoe includes a tab having: (1) a first portion, located between adjacent layers of the sole and thus hidden from view, that is imprinted with identification information pertaining to the shoe and (2) a second portion that is visible during ordinary use of the shoe.