A piece of natural wood can be immersed in a first solution at a first temperature less than 100? C. and then immersed in a second solution at a second temperature greater than 100? C. so as to form a piece of partially-delignified wood. In some embodiments, the first and second solutions can be the same solution, and the immersion at the second temperature can be heating the solution from the first temperature to the second temperature. The immersion in the first and second solutions can be effective to remove 45-90% of lignin from the piece of natural wood and to destroy a structure of the ray cells in the piece of natural wood while retaining cell walls of the other cells. The partially-delignified wood can then be dried. After drying, the partially-delignified wood can be clastic along its tangential direction but inelastic along its radial and longitudinal directions.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a flexible, form-fitting, slide-type sandal, which includes a footbed and a strap affixed to the footbed on two sides. The strap comprises an underlay that spans the width of the footbed, as well as lateral and medial overlays with an expansion joint therebetween. The expansion joint between the lateral and medial overlays allows the underlay to flex and provide a better fit for the wearer.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a flexible, form-fitting, slide-type sandal, which includes a footbed and a strap affixed to the footbed on two sides. The strap comprises an underlay that spans the width of the footbed, as well as lateral and medial overlays with an expansion joint therebetween. The expansion joint between the lateral and medial overlays allows the underlay to flex and provide a better fit for the wearer.

A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a sole coupled to a cord structure. The cord structure may include interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article.

The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for production of three-dimensional constructs with high mechanical strength and/or stiffness.

The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for production of three-dimensional constructs with high mechanical strength and/or stiffness.

A footbed having a cork foot-contacting surface for use in footwear is provided. The foot-contacting surface includes portions that are altered in thickness in order to form a network of channels that cross the foot-contacting surface of the footbed. The channels facilitate dryness, reduced foot slippage within the footwear, and provide a comfortable fit.

A footbed having a cork foot-contacting surface for use in footwear is provided. The foot-contacting surface includes portions that are altered in thickness in order to form a network of channels that cross the foot-contacting surface of the footbed. The channels facilitate dryness, reduced foot slippage within the footwear, and provide a comfortable fit.

Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for making a shoe outsole and to shoe outsoles made using such techniques. In one such technique, a sheet of composite material is produced by extruding a base material together with a sheet of fabric material. The sheet of composite material is then cut into an outsole component, and a shoe outsole is fabricated using the outsole component.

Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for making a shoe outsole and to shoe outsoles made using such techniques. In one such technique, a sheet of composite material is produced by extruding a base material together with a sheet of fabric material. The sheet of composite material is then cut into an outsole component, and a shoe outsole is fabricated using the outsole component.