Articles of sports equipment, such as striking implements (e.g., sticks) and wearable articles (e.g., skates, helmets) for playing hockey or other activities, in which at least one of the characteristics (e.g., stiffness) of the articles of sports equipment is adaptable and can be altered during use of the sports equipment, such as by comprising an alterable component coupled to a controller, by comprising an alterable component that is autonomously alterable, and/or by an alterable component that can be altered in response to a command of a remote device.

A calf muscle enhancement pad; the calf muscle enhancement pad includes a pad with a body having a concave first-side and a second-side opposing the first-side. The first-side includes an adhesive layer for removably securing the pad to a calf portion of a leg of a user-wearer. The adhesive layer may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pad further includes a removable cover for concealing the adhesive layer before use. The second-side includes a calf-muscle-like extension having a profile of a sculpted calf muscle for enhancing a natural appearance of the calf portion and overall leg of the user-wearer during wear.

A pad may be worn to prevent abrasion or provide a fulcrum during exercise. The pad has a tapering thickness profile to provide support and leverage to the wearer. The pad may have an adhesive side for adhering either to a garment or directly to a wearer. Also disclosed is a variety of garments including pockets in which the pad may be removably retained.

A pad may be worn to prevent abrasion or provide a fulcrum during exercise. The pad has a tapering thickness profile to provide support and leverage to the wearer. The pad may have an adhesive side for adhering either to a garment or directly to a wearer. Also disclosed is a variety of garments including pockets in which the pad may be removably retained.

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.

There is no other self-inflatable football collar in the American football equipment market. Upon impact to the helmet, this collar is designed to catch in lower lip of the football helmet and transfer the force from the head and neck of the collar and shoulders.

An athletic garment generally includes a short member, a supporter, and a plurality of straps. The short member may include a front panel, rear panel, two side panels, and a waistband. The supporter is dimensioned to releasably receive an athletic protective cup. The straps are coupled to one end of the supporter and are attached to the opposing rear panel of the short member.

A skate boot comprising an outer shell with a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; an ankle portion for receiving the ankle, the ankle portion comprising a rear portion for facing at least partially the lower part of the Achilles tendon; and medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively. The skate boot also comprises a tendon guard extending upwardly from the ankle portion of the outer shell for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, the tendon guard comprising a recess for receiving an insert. The tendon guard has a first flexion mode when no insert is received in the recess and a second flexion mode when the insert is received in the recess. The second flexion mode is different from the first flexion mode.

Systems and methods for sensing and monitoring various athletic performance metrics, e.g., during the course of a game, a practice, a training session, training drills, and the like, are described. These systems and methods can provide useful metrics for players and coaches relating to athletic performances in various sports, including various team sports.

An MMA fighting glove is disclosed herein which has a smooth front profile especially at the top and lateral side of the glove when the glove is clenched. In this manner, the glove is less likely to cut an opponent's skin or training partner's skin when the lateral side grazes the opponent or training partner. Moreover, a sleeve may cover a strap mechanism of the MMA glove described herein or a prior art MMA glove to cover any protrusions or aberrations of the strap mechanism to further mitigate cutting of the opponent or training partner.