A method for manufacturing an article of footwear includes arranging a three-dimensional upper on a last and placing a plurality of elongated support structures on the three-dimensional upper arranged on the last using an automated placement assembly. The method further includes heating the plurality of elongated support structures to secure the plurality of elongated support structures to the upper.

Aspects herein include a knit component having a non-reflective portion formed from a first knit segment that is knit with the first yarn and the second yarn in a plated relationship, where the first yarn forms the non-reflective portion on a technical face of the knit component. A reflective portion is formed from a second knit segment that is knit with the second yarn, where the second yarn forming the reflective portion is on the technical face of the knit component. The second knit segment is integrally knit with the first knit segment along the knit course.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a knitted component for use in an article of footwear may include a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer at least partially overlapping the first knitted layer. The knitted component may also include an interlooped area comprising the first knitted layer interlooped with the second knitted layer and a knitted loop structure that is adjacent the interlooped area and that comprises the first knitted layer freely separable from the second knitted layer to comprise a passageway. The first knitted layer has a first edge comprising a first opening of the passageway and a second edge comprising a second opening of the passageway. Each of the first edge and the second edge extend in a course-wise direction and the passageway extends between the first opening and the second opening in a wale-wise direction.

The embodiments relate to an article of footwear and method of manufacturing that includes a first layer and a second layer configured to form a plurality of tunnels configured to receive a cord system. The manufacturing includes steps of placing a first layer, placing a cord on the first layer, securing the cord on the first layer, placing a second layer on the first layer and the cord, attaching the second layer to the first layer, and detaching the cord from the first layer. When the cord is secured with a thread, the thread may be removed by dissolving or cutting. The attaching of the second layer to the first layer can be completed by stitching or thermal welding, for example.

An article of footwear having an upper with enhanced transition properties is described herein. The transition properties may be incorporated in an ankle collar trim transition region, a heel stay reinforcing structure, and/or a heel padding structure. Additionally, a method for manufacturing the article of footwear with enhanced transition properties in a heel region is provided.

A method for the manufacture of a sporting goods component including the steps of: selecting a first textile, wherein the first textile has a first shrinkage ratio under a predetermined shrinking condition; forming a first portion of the component using the first textile; selecting a second textile, wherein the second textile has a second shrinkage ratio under the predetermined shrinking condition, wherein the second shrinkage ratio is higher than the first shrinkage ratio; forming a second portion of the component using the second textile; and attaching the first textile and the second textile together.

A system for stitching two parts of a shoe together includes a stitching machine with a head and a cylinder bed. The head has a needle base disposed on a lower end adjacent the cylinder bed such that the two shoe parts can be stitched together therebetween. A positioning mechanism has a curved drive frame and is capable of moving the curved drive frame in a rotating motion along the circumference of the curved drive frame and in a linear direction generally along an axis of the curved drive frame. A jig positions the two shoe parts with respect to one another and is coupled to the curved drive frame. The jig includes a curved support surface for supporting the two shoe parts.

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.

An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. The article of footwear comprises a sole structure and an upper fixedly attached thereto. The upper comprises a base layer and a plurality of scrap material pieces. The scrap material pieces comprise appliqués disposed on and coupled to a surface of the base layer. The scrap material pieces are collectively positioned on the surface of the base layer in a custom arrangement. The method of manufacture is designed to be an environmentally-friendly and sustainable process, wherein the scrap material of a first footwear application is utilized in a second footwear application. The method of manufacture comprises dividing the scrap material of a first footwear application into scrap material pieces and coupling the scrap material pieces, in the custom arrangement, to the exterior surface of the base layer of the upper of a second footwear application.

An article of footwear may include an upper that has a plurality of discrete sections secured to one another. Each discrete section may include a base layer and a cover layer. Each cover layer may be secured to and may cover the outer side of a corresponding base layer. Each cover layer may be configured to be selectively removable from the base layer independently of each other cover layer to expose the outer side of the base layer. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear may include providing the plurality of base layers and providing the plurality of cover layers. The method may further include securing the cover layers to the base layers so that the cover layers cover the outer sides of the base layers.