A method of printing a three-dimensional structure onto a base having irregularities on the surface is disclosed. A sensing device determines the depth of the irregularity on the surface. A computing system receives an image file including a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed onto the base. The predetermined thickness is adjusted based on the depth of the irregularity. A printing device prints a layer onto the base having the adjusted predetermined thickness print on the irregularity to make the surface substantially smooth.

A footwear article includes a collar elevator to raise an ankle collar from a lowered position to a raised position. For example, the ankle collar may be lowered when a wearer slides a foot into or out of the footwear article. The collar elevator may include a forwardly inclined angle. In addition, the footwear article may include a doffing ledge, in some instances, which includes characteristics based on the forwardly inclined angle.

A biocomposite material and methods and systems for forming a biocomposite material are provided. In one example, a biocomposite material includes a biopolymer material and an internal structure imparting zonal properties to the biocomposite material, where the biopolymer material at least partially surrounds and/or extends through the internal structure. The biopolymer material includes mycelium grown from a fungal strain.

Provided is a shoe member constituting a part of a shoe, including an injection molded article that includes an inner member and an outer member partially or fully enclosing the inner member, wherein the inner member and the outer member are each formed from a resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin, a shoe including the shoe member, and a method for producing the shoe member.

Provided is a shoe member constituting a part of a shoe, including an injection molded article that includes an inner member and an outer member partially or fully enclosing the inner member, wherein the inner member and the outer member are each formed from a resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin, a shoe including the shoe member, and a method for producing the shoe member.

A boot includes a rigid outer shell including a base portion adjacent to a portion of a foot of a subject, a leg portion adjacent to a portion of a leg of the subject, and an ankle support portion integral with and coupling the base portion of the main body with the leg portion of the main body, the ankle portion of the main body being adjacent to two opposing sides of an ankle of the subject, the ankle support portion of the main body having one or more removable elements. A first one of the one or more removable elements, adjacent to a first one of the two opposing sides of the ankle, is configured to be removed from the rigid outer shell to aid in preventing contact between an incision area on the first side of the ankle of the subject and the rigid outer shell.

An athletic shoe includes an upper section, a mid-sole, an outsole, and an extension. The outsole is coupled to the upper section and the mid-sole. The extension is coupled to the outsole and/or the mid-sole. The extension is on a medial side of the athletic shoe when worn on a dominant side and it extends from a toe section of the athletic shoe to a mid-foot section of the athletic shoe and, from a bottom perspective, extends beyond the upper section to provide an increase in force during performance of a rotational athletic task.

Disclosed herein are cushioning elements comprising a first layer including a depression defined by a first surface, and a first component disposed within the depression of the first layer, the first component comprising a plurality of affixed foam particles. The cushioning element can optionally include a second surface opposing the first surface, defining an interior of a chamber that can be at least partially filled with a fluid. The first component can be thermally bonded or adhesively bonded to the first surface or the second surface. Methods for manufacturing the cushioning element, and articles including the cushioning element, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are also provided. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Described are methods of estimating a physical property associated with a region of a sports article. The method includes determining a plurality of structural features within the region, determining, for each structural feature, a feature value, mapping each feature value to a physical property, wherein the mapping is based on a machine learning algorithm from a limited plurality of samples, and wherein each sample associates a feature value with a value of the physical property, and using the mapping to estimate the physical property for the region.