An apparatus to assist in making an orthotic, insole or other footwear insert that is customized to a plantar surface of an individual's foot is provided. The apparatus includes a portable housing; a heater unit to selectively heat the orthotic or a heel cap of the footwear insert to increase its pliability; at least one alignment device to assist in positioning and orientating the individual's foot prior to conforming the orthotic or the heel cap to the plantar surface of the individual's foot; and a vacuum system to selectively apply a vacuum around the individual's foot to bring the orthotic or the heel cap into conformance with the plantar surface of the individual's foot prior to setting of the orthotic or the heel cap. Related methods of making custom orthotics, insoles and other footwear inserts are also provided.

An apparatus to assist in making an orthotic, insole or other footwear insert that is customized to a plantar surface of an individual's foot is provided. The apparatus includes a portable housing; a heater unit to selectively heat the orthotic or a heel cap of the footwear insert to increase its pliability; at least one alignment device to assist in positioning and orientating the individual's foot prior to conforming the orthotic or the heel cap to the plantar surface of the individual's foot; and a vacuum system to selectively apply a vacuum around the individual's foot to bring the orthotic or the heel cap into conformance with the plantar surface of the individual's foot prior to setting of the orthotic or the heel cap. Related methods of making custom orthotics, insoles and other footwear inserts are also provided.

A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability.

A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability.

A vamp with loop protection eyelets and a manufacture method thereof are disclosed. The vamp comprises a vamp body including a middle part having a notch which functions as a shoe tongue part. The vamp body is one-piece knitted fabric or a sheet-splice-vamp. Strings are projectively fixed on the upper surface of the vamp body. Threads embroider and fix the strings on the vamp body along a path of the length direction of the strings. The strings not only form a pattern on the vamp body but also leave loops on the shoe tongue part. Loops protrude inwards from both side edges of the shoe tongue part. The vamp has ventilation and has good supportability and straightness, is not only esthetic but also can protect feet. Protection eyelets are connected very firmly and do not come off easily. The pattern with a stereoscopic visual effect is formed on the vamp.

A vamp with loop protection eyelets and a manufacture method thereof are disclosed. The vamp comprises a vamp body including a middle part having a notch which functions as a shoe tongue part. The vamp body is one-piece knitted fabric or a sheet-splice-vamp. Strings are projectively fixed on the upper surface of the vamp body. Threads embroider and fix the strings on the vamp body along a path of the length direction of the strings. The strings not only form a pattern on the vamp body but also leave loops on the shoe tongue part. Loops protrude inwards from both side edges of the shoe tongue part. The vamp has ventilation and has good supportability and straightness, is not only esthetic but also can protect feet. Protection eyelets are connected very firmly and do not come off easily. The pattern with a stereoscopic visual effect is formed on the vamp.

An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a plurality of support elements, and each of the support elements include a shell and a core. The shell defines an interior void and is formed from a polymer material that extends around substantially all of the void. The core has a shape of the void and is located within the void, with at least a portion of the core being a polymer foam material. The polymer foam material of at least two of the support elements may have different densities.

An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a plurality of support elements, and each of the support elements include a shell and a core. The shell defines an interior void and is formed from a polymer material that extends around substantially all of the void. The core has a shape of the void and is located within the void, with at least a portion of the core being a polymer foam material. The polymer foam material of at least two of the support elements may have different densities.

An apparatus to assist in making an orthotic, insole or other footwear insert that is customized to a plantar surface of an individual's foot is provided. The apparatus includes a portable housing; a heater unit to selectively heat the orthotic or a heel cap of the footwear insert to increase its pliability; at least one alignment device to assist in positioning and orientating the individual's foot prior to conforming the orthotic or the heel cap to the plantar surface of the individual's foot; and a vacuum system to selectively apply a vacuum around the individual's foot to bring the orthotic or the heel cap into conformance with the plantar surface of the individual's foot prior to setting of the orthotic or the heel cap. Related methods of making custom orthotics, insoles and other footwear inserts are also provided.

An apparatus to assist in making an orthotic, insole or other footwear insert that is customized to a plantar surface of an individual's foot is provided. The apparatus includes a portable housing; a heater unit to selectively heat the orthotic or a heel cap of the footwear insert to increase its pliability; at least one alignment device to assist in positioning and orientating the individual's foot prior to conforming the orthotic or the heel cap to the plantar surface of the individual's foot; and a vacuum system to selectively apply a vacuum around the individual's foot to bring the orthotic or the heel cap into conformance with the plantar surface of the individual's foot prior to setting of the orthotic or the heel cap. Related methods of making custom orthotics, insoles and other footwear inserts are also provided.