A variable friction shoe includes a midsole and an outsole. The outsole includes at least a first high-friction surface and at least a first low-friction surface, wherein the first low-friction surface remains prominent if vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs) are low and wherein the high-friction surface is prominent in response to increasing GRFs.

A boot form for a hockey skate is made of multiple plastic materials having different hardness properties, or different flexural moduli, and is formed via an injection-molding process or another similar process. One or more of the plastic materials may be reinforced with fibers of glass, carbon, aramid, or another stiffening material to strengthen one or more regions of the boot form. For example, pellets of a first plastic material having a flexural modulus of approximately 190 MPa (e.g., a polyamide elastomer block amide) may be injected into a mold to form a softer upper region of the boot form. And pellets of a second plastic having a flexural modulus of approximately 20,000 MPa (e.g., a Nylon 12 with long glass fibers) may be injected into the mold to form a stiffer lower region of the boot form. Additional skate components may then be attached to the boot form.

An upper for an article of footwear is disclosed. The upper can include a plurality of layers, such as an inner layer, a middle knit layer, and an outer layer. Each of the plurality of layers can provide different functionalities to the upper. The combination of the inner layer, middle knit layer, and the outer layer can be effective at transferring a load from the underfoot region to a position above the biteline.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a knitted component for use in an article of footwear may include a first layer with a multi-bed first area having a first surface and an opposite facing second surface. The knitted component may include a second layer with a second area overlapping the first area. The second area may have a first surface and an opposite facing second surface. The knitted component may include a plurality of interlayer knit stitches interlooping at least one yarn of the first layer with at least one yarn of the second layer at an interface between the second surfaces of the first and second areas. The interior surfaces of the first area and the second area may define at least part of a freely separable area between the first and second areas.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides knitted component comprising with a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing opposite the second surface. A pod may have the first surface and the second surface, and an edge region may have the first surface and the second surface, where the edge region at least partially demarcates the pod. A first yarn may substantially form the first surface of the pod, where the first yarn is a fusible yarn. A second yarn may substantially form the second surface of the pod, and the second yarn may substantially form the first surface of the edge region.

A sole for an article of footwear includes a continuous dispensed component forming a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is disposed directly on top of the second layer. The continuous dispensed component forms a medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall. The first layer includes a starting point where the continuous dispensed component is first dispensed. The continuous dispensed component continuously transitions from the first layer to the second layer at the starting point.

An upper for an article of footwear may include a first knit layer, a second knit layer, and a third layer located between the first knit layer and the second knit layer, the third layer including a material with a melting point of 150° C. or less, where the first knit layer and the second knit layer are secured via the material of the third layer. A first zone may be included, where the first knit layer, the second knit layer, and the third layer are coextensive in the first zone. A second zone may be included, where the first knit layer, the second knit layer, and the third layer are coextensive in the second zone. The first zone may have a first stretch resistance and the second zone may have a second stretch resistance, where the first stretch resistance is greater than the second stretch resistance.

A method may include one or more of the following steps: knitting a first knit layer and a second knit layer on a knitting machine, where the first knit layer and the second knit layer each include a plurality of intermeshed loops, and where at least one loop of the first knit layer is intermeshed with at least one loop of the second knit layer; inlaying an inlaid strand between the first knit layer and the second knit layer during the knitting of the first knit layer and the second knit layer, where the inlaid strand includes a thermoplastic material having a melting point; and applying heat to at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the inlaid strand such that the portion of the thermoplastic material rises to a temperature at or above the melting point.

A double layer knitted element includes a first layer comprising a first yarn, a second layer comprising a second yarn, and a third yarn arranged at least in part between the first and second layer. The third yarn is attached to at least one of the first layer and the second layer by a plurality of tuck stitches, wherein there is at least one miss stitch between two successive tuck stitches of the third yarn.

Hot melt sequins and methods of applying these sequins are disclosed. A method of attaching two components includes stitching a hot melt sequin to one of the components and heating the hot melt sequin to bond the two components together. Sequins can also be applied to articles to create structural elements such as heel counters, toe covers, and lace cages. Sequins can be applied in 1D, 2D, and 3D patterns as well as in dispersive patterns. Sequins can be applied to vary the abrasion properties of a portion of an article.