An outsole for an athletic shoe that includes a heel section and a forefoot section. The heel and forefoot sections are on the outer surface of the outsole. The forefoot section includes a tread pattern that provides first and second ground friction forces. The first ground friction force promotes rotation in a first rotational direction about a rotation point of the forefoot section. The second ground friction force restricts rotation in a second rotational direction about the rotation point. The second rotational direction is opposite of the first rotational direction and the second ground friction force is greater than the first ground friction force.

The soft boot and liner include a moisture transfer system that includes an inner fabric layer carefully selected from technically advanced fabrics. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, spacer fabrics and breathable membranes, in various orders. Encapsulation technology and waterproofing are used as well. The outer fabric layer is also capable of working with the other layers to promote the transfer of moisture. Frothed foams and flocking with fibers are further characteristics of the present invention. The moisture transfer system is incorporated into a soft boot or skate or as a removable liner for a shell boot. Numerous other modifications and applications are disclosed.

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim is shaped such that the outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component tapers or curves inward moving from a forefoot support area to an arch support area, and wherein a narrowest dimension from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge of the outer perimeter boundary rim is located in a heel support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a support structure extending into or at least partially across the open space. The ground-engaging component may have a narrower width dimension in a central heel or rear heel support area than in the arch support area.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A climbing shoe comprising: a shoe-upper which is shaped so as to accommodate and cover substantially the whole foot of the user; a sole made of polymeric material, which is fixed to the bottom of the shoe-upper so as to cover the front part of the bottom of said shoe-upper; a front tensioning band made of elastomeric material, which is substantially U-bent and is fixed to the toe of the shoe-upper so as to embrace/surround the front part of the bottom of the shoe-upper, while joining to the front sole; a rear patch made of soft and flexible material, which is arranged astride of the rear part of the shoe-upper, in the area above the heel portion of the shoe-upper; and a rear tensioning band which is substantially U-bent and is firmly fixed to the shoe-upper so that the central elbow/bend of the rear tensioning band covers the plantar arch portion of the bottom, and the two branches of the rear tensioning band extend obliquely along the two lateral sides of the shoe-upper up to reach and firmly join said rear patch.

A test system with detection feedback works with a robot to which a test object is attached. The test system includes a server and a force sensor disposed to the robot. The server controls the robot to drive the test object to contact a test platform while the force sensor detects at least one reaction force on the test object to generate a sensing feedback signal for the server. When the reaction force corresponding to a direction and indicated by the sensing feedback signal does not match a force setting value, the server adjusts a level to which the robot drives the test object to move relative to the test platform so that the reaction force corresponding to the direction can match the force setting value. Therefore, the resistance acting on the test object moving relative to the test platform may be automatically maintained at the preset degree.

A test system with detection feedback works with a robot to which a test object is attached. The test system includes a server and a force sensor disposed to the robot. The server controls the robot to drive the test object to contact a test platform while the force sensor detects at least one reaction force on the test object to generate a sensing feedback signal for the server. When the reaction force corresponding to a direction and indicated by the sensing feedback signal does not match a force setting value, the server adjusts a level to which the robot drives the test object to move relative to the test platform so that the reaction force corresponding to the direction can match the force setting value. Therefore, the resistance acting on the test object moving relative to the test platform may be automatically maintained at the preset degree.

Systems and methods for prescribing athletic activity to be performed by a user, and for adapting the prescribed athletic activity based on completed (e.g. ongoing) athletic performances by the user. A coaching plan may be automatically created that prescribes personalized athletic activities as a user trains towards a goal date. The athletic information may be received from one or more sensor devices associated with a user, and the coaching plan may be continuously or intermittently updated based on the received sensor data.

Systems and methods for prescribing athletic activity to be performed by a user, and for adapting the prescribed athletic activity based on completed (e.g. ongoing) athletic performances by the user. A coaching plan may be automatically created that prescribes personalized athletic activities as a user trains towards a goal date. The athletic information may be received from one or more sensor devices associated with a user, and the coaching plan may be continuously or intermittently updated based on the received sensor data.