Described is a shoe upper for a shoe, in particular an athletic shoe, wherein the shoe upper is laceless and comprises: (a.) a lateral portion; (b.) a medial portion; and (c.) at least an elastic intermediate portion between the lateral portion and the medial portion, wherein the stiffness of at least one of the lateral portion and the medial portion is at least 2 times higher than the stiffness of the elastic intermediate portion.

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 apparel includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes a four way stretch material. The second layer, coupled to the first layer, includes an auxetic layer.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) infused mesh material that is molded to form at least a portion of a shoe. The TPU infused mesh may be formed as an upper, a portion of sole or other components of a shoe. The TPU infused mesh is formed, in an exemplary embodiment, through the application of liquid TPU to a surface of a spacer mesh. The liquid TPU infused spacer mesh is then cured, cut to a pattern, and heat molded to form a desired portion of the shoe. The heat molded TPU mesh is coupled to other portions of the shoe (e.g., sole) to form an article footwear in an exemplary embodiment.

A method of making an article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The method includes laying down ribbon elements in straight and winding sections. The method includes stitching or otherwise attaching the ribbon elements to a backing layer. The method also includes embroidering a periphery of the ribbon structure to tack down any raised portions of the ribbon at the periphery. The method also includes inserting a lace through loops in the ribbon structure.

Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. 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.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a knitted component. The knitted component may have a forefoot portion with a top layer and a bottom layer, where a void is formed between the top layer and the bottom layer, and where the top layer is secured to the bottom layer via at least one common knit structure. A heel area may extend from the bottom layer of the forefoot portion in a longitudinal direction and may be secured to the bottom layer of the forefoot portion via at least one common knit structure. At least one extension may extend from the heel area in a second direction, the second direction being different than the longitudinal direction.

The present disclosure is related to three-dimensionally printed articles for use in footwear and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a closed-cell foam. The closed-cell foam may have a gradient in and/or may be a single integrated material. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a sensor. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.

The invention relates to a method of processing a sheet material for use in the manufacture of a product. The method comprises providing a sheet material having a first surface and a second surface; providing a two-dimensional mark on the first surface of the sheet material; arranging one or more strengthening members at one or more of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet material; imposing an indentation on said first surface of the sheet material; wherein at least part of the indentation is arranged with respect to one or more of at least part of the two-dimensional mark and at least part of the one or more strengthening members to create a three-dimensional mark on said first surface. The invention also relates to a blank for at least part of a manufactured product. The blank comprises a sheet material shaped in accordance with the at least part of a manufactured product, the sheet material comprising a two-dimensional mark on a surface of the sheet material; one or more strengthening members arranged at one or more sides of the sheeting material; wherein one or more of at least part of the two-dimensional mark and at least part of the one or more strengthening members are positioned with respect to an indentation formed in the sheet material to thereby provide a three-dimensional mark on said surface.

The present invention generally relates to soles in particular midsoles for sports shoes. According to an aspect, an additively manufactured sole is provided. The sole comprises a lattice structure, the lattice structure comprising a plurality of cell elements. The sole further comprises a heel element, three-dimensionally encompassing the heel. Moreover, the sole comprises a base portion interconnecting the heel element and the lattice structure, wherein the base portion has an extension arranged to connect to a plurality of adjacent cell elements, wherein the plurality of adjacent cell elements is not positioned along an edge of the lattice structure.