The present invention teaches a method of making a custom article of footwear. Further, the article of footwear can include a knitted upper and means for cushioning. In addition, the components of the article of footwear can be selected from a wide range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired.

A shoe system includes a sole and a shoe upper connected with the sole. A gap is disposed between a first upper portion and a second upper portion. The shoe system also includes a first permanent connector permanently connected to the first upper portion; a second permanent connector permanently connected to the second upper portion, and a removable and printable connector strap connectable with the shoe upper. First and second releasable connector portions of the removable and printable connector strap are releasably connectable with the first and second permanent connectors, respectively.

An article of footwear, such as a shoe, includes an upper and a sole. The upper may be formed with an outer layer and a floating textile layer relative to one or more portions of the outer layer. The floating textile layer has an apparent elongation that is less than an apparent elongation of the outer layer in response to an equal tensile force applied to each of the floating textile layer and the outer layer along a same axis of orientation. The differential in apparent elongation of the outer layer and the floating textile layer may increase wearability and functionability of the upper.

An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing are provided. The article comprises an upper fixedly attached to a sole structure. The upper may comprise a wall wherein an inner layer is coupled to an outer layer, such that the inner layer and the outer layer define a closed pocket therebetween. A layer of scrap particulate matter is disposed in the closed pocket, and is at least partially visible through the outer layer, which is formed of a sufficiently transparent material. The sole structure is fabricated from a mixture of discrete pieces of scrap particulate matter and virgin polymer material, such that the discrete pieces of scrap particulate matter are at least partially visible on the outer surface of the sole structure. The sole structure is further substantially covered in a plurality of cavities and a plurality of protrusions, such that the outer sole surface has a crater-like texture.

An article of footwear includes an upper, a heel element, a sole structure, a medial side, and a lateral side. The upper includes an outer surface that defines a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The upper includes a membrane layer and a material layer. The material layer includes a knit fabric and defines a first knit zone and a second knit zone. The first knit zone has a tighter knit than the second knit zone.

An article of apparel includes a first layer and a second layer. An auxetic structure penetrates the first layer. The auxetic structure includes a plurality of interconnected members forming an array of cell units. Each of the plurality of interconnected members form cell walls with interior recesses defined within the cell walls. The second layer is coupled to the first layer via the auxetic structure.

An antibacterial and deodorizing leather includes a leather body and an antibacterial and deodorizing layer. The antibacterial and deodorizing layer includes a water-based foaming material and an antibacterial deodorant. The water-based foaming material and the antibacterial deodorant are mixed and arranged on the leather body and then bonded with the leather body by hot pressing. By uniformly mixing the antibacterial deodorant and a bactericide through the water-based foaming material to become gelatinous, the antibacterial and deodorizing layer is arranged on the leather body according to the size of the leather body. Then, the antibacterial and deodorizing layer is tightly bonded with the leather body by hot pressing, achieving the effects of saving costs, simplifying the manufacturing process, and environmental protection.

An article of footwear has an upper and a heel system. The heel system may include a heel cage secured to a heel portion of the upper, and a heel counter. The heel counter may extend along the rear of the heel portion to an upper extent above the upper bar.

Footwear for covering a foot of a wearer includes an outsole configured for supporting the foot of the wearer, an upper secured to the outsole and configured for covering the foot of the wearer, an insole located above the outsole within the upper, a midsole located above the outsole and below the insole and first and second laterally adjacent shanks located above the outsole and below the insole. The first shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a lateral side of the middle portion and the second shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a medial side of the middle portion to form an acute angle therebetween and provide balance and torsional stability for sides of the wearer's foot

The invention is a high heel shoe with an upper that will provide comfort and flexibility for the wearer. In a preferred embodiment the upper consists of two at least two materials: 1) a firm fabric, such as leather, that will hold the shape of the design and have limited flexibility; 2) a flat knitted elastic, such as knit elastic, which will not narrow, or not narrow significantly, when stretched. In addition, the firm fabric is configured to have a flex-point and in a preferred embodiment is formed of two pieces of the firm material having a “split” between them providing the desired flex-point.