Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and an opposite ground-facing surface. The outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component. A matrix structure extends from the outer perimeter boundary rim (e.g., the ground-facing surface and/or the upper-facing surface) and across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells across the open space at least at the forefoot support area. The matrix structure defines one or more sets of adjacent open cells, the set(s) including at least three open cells that are substantially aligned in the forefoot support area along a line extending in a forward medial-to-rear lateral direction.

A sole constituting a part of footwear includes a shock-absorbing part provided at least in a rearfoot region, the shock-absorbing part cushioning an impact applied to a heel of a foot upon landing, and a support part provided at least in a midfoot region, the support part being higher in rigidity than the shock-absorbing part and supporting a midfoot portion of the foot, the support part includes a support surface, the support surface being provided forward of the shock-absorbing part and having a shape extending from one end to the other end in a width direction, and the shock-absorbing part includes a recessed surface located at a height position lower than the support surface, and a plurality of columnar bodies each having a shape extending from the recessed surface to a height position identical in height to the support surface.

A method of manufacturing a panel for an article of apparel includes stretching a base layer from a resting configuration to a stretched configuration. The method further includes coupling a reinforcement layer to the base layer when the base layer is in the stretched configuration. The method also includes applying an auxetic structure to the reinforcement layer when the base layer is in the stretched configuration. The auxetic structure includes a plurality of interconnected members defining a repeating pattern of voids, and each void has a reentrant shape. The method further includes releasing the base layer to allow the base layer to return to the resting configuration.

An insulating shoe insert including a core layer formed of a cellular material, and a top layer and a bottom layer bonded to opposing sides of the core layer, respectively, the top layer and the bottom layer being configured as thin sheets of aromatic polyamide material such that the top layer and bottom layer cooperate with the core layer to create a heat transfer resistance sufficient to resist transfer of heat through the core layer.

An article of footwear with a ball contacting surface is disclosed. The ball contacting surface includes a raised peak member at the top and gripping members along a medial side. The ball contacting surface enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory and to control the ball.

A footwear insole system for use with an article of footwear including a base insole component and an upper insole component. The base insole includes a chassis and first and a second shock absorbing inserts. The upper insole includes a spacer panel, first and a second gel insert members, and a fabric sheet layer. The insole system may be permanently secured to an article of footwear or the insole system may be replaceable or interchangeable for installation and removal to and from an article of footwear by a user.

An improved sole structure for article of footwear is disclosed herein. The sole structure includes a midsole and an outsole coupled to the midsole. The midsole includes a plurality of grooves disposed both centrally and on the sides of the bottom surface. The outsole includes a plurality of outboard plates, aligned on the sides of the outsole, and a plurality of inboard plates, centrally aligned on the outsole. A plurality of hinges couple the plurality of outboard plates to the plurality of inboard plates such that each of the plates are able to pivot independent of the other plates. The outsole further includes a series of slots and openings aligned with the plurality of grooves of the midsole. The combination of the independent pivotal plates of the outsole, the grooves of the midsole, and flexure of the midsole provide a dynamic and multi-directional flexing sole structure.

A footwear sole structure having a fluid-filled chamber including a tensile member is provided. The fluid-filled chamber includes a first barrier sheet, a second barrier sheet and the tensile member. The first barrier sheet is formed from a first thermoplastic material. The second barrier sheet is attached to the first barrier sheet and is formed from a second thermoplastic material. The first barrier sheet and the second barrier sheet cooperate to define an internal cavity. The tensile member is disposed within the internal cavity and is formed from a third thermoplastic material. A first weld attaches the first barrier sheet, the second barrier sheet, and the tensile member together by melding the first thermoplastic material of the first barrier sheet, the second thermoplastic material of second barrier sheet, and the third thermoplastic material of the tensile member.

A material that includes at least one layer made of an auxetic structure and articles of footwear having soles comprising the materials. When the material is under tension, it expands in both the direction under tension and in the directional orthogonal to the direction under tension. The articles of footwear have soles that have at least one layer made of a material that has a pattern of apertures to provide the auxetic structure. The apertures are surrounded by sole portions that can rotate or pivot to change the size of the apertures.

An article of footwear includes a midsole, an upper disposed above the midsole, and an outsole disposed below the midsole. The midsole includes a unitary lattice structure having an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side is a user-facing side and the lower side is a ground-facing side. The midsole further includes an upper rim integrally formed with the unitary lattice structure. The upper rim extends around an upper perimeter defined on the upper side of the lattice structure.