A boot including an outsole, an upper attached to the outsole, where the upper has a vamp portion including a first layer, a second layer, and a layer of plates disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The layer of plates are arranged in one or more rows across the vamp portion. The shape of the layer of plates conforms to a shape of the upper. And in the layer of plates, a first individual row of the one or more rows stretches with respect to a second individual row of the one or more rows. The location of the layer of plates may correspond to a region of the foot within the boot including the metatarsus. The location of another layer of plates may correspond to a region of the leg within the boot including a portion of the tibia.

A system and method of manufacturing an article of footwear about a footwear last that is shaped to approximate a human foot for the type of footwear being manufactured. Layers of material may be deposited on or in proximity to first and second zones of the footwear last, which may be rotated relative to a nozzle that deposits the material. For instance, the material may be deposited on a substrate provided on the footwear last.

A method for making a footwear upper assembly, including knitting a tube to form first and second sock portions integrally joined at an intermediate portion; defining a first sock void and a first opening in the first sock portion; turning the second sock portion inside out, folding relative to the intermediate portion, and moving the second sock portion into the first sock void; inserting a footbed through the first opening into a footbed void formed between first and second lower panels of respective first and second sock portions; and closing the first opening to trap the footbed between the first and second lower panels. Alternatively, the method includes placing the knit tube on a last, placing a footbed adjacent the first lower panel, turning the second sock portion right-side out and moving it around an exterior of the first sock portion, and trapping the footbed within the footbed void.

A bonded mesh composite panel can be used to form a three-dimensional upper shell that includes extensions used for double-lasting and/or to otherwise provide a shelf to support foam padding. The foam padding may be, e.g., a foam midsole. The extensions of the upper shell may be located in a lower portion of the shell and may be bonded to the foam midsole in a heel, midfoot and/or forefoot regions.

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 midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot 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 fiber bound engineered material is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. A fiber layer is entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections. Variations in the fibers and/or inclusion of scrim materials prior to entanglement allows for an intended characteristic (e.g., a functional characteristic) at an intended relative location (e.g., a position determined by an article to be formed therefrom).

A foot cover including a stretchable lattice configured to be worn over a foot of a user. The stretchable lattice being fitted to a shape of a human foot. The stretchable lattice is an elastomer. The stretchable lattice defines a first plurality of openings and a second plurality of openings. The foot cover includes a first end of the stretchable lattice enclosing toes of the foot of the user. The foot cover includes a second end of the stretchable lattice defining an opening for receiving the foot of the user, wherein first end includes the first plurality of openings that are smaller than the second plurality of openings associated with a body of the stretchable lattice.

Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. 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.

A last for forming an upper of an article of footwear includes a first portion including a lateral side and a medial side that opposes the lateral side, and a second portion connected with and extending upward and transversely outward in an angled manner away from the first portion such that a terminal end of the second portion is distanced from the first portion. An exterior surface of the last can include a plurality of three dimensional structural surface components disposed over at least 50% of the exterior surface of the last.

Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. 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.