An article of footwear with a dynamic support system that controls arrays of tiles in the upper of the footwear to adjust the level of support provided in different regions of the upper. Sensors in the sole of the footwear, in the upper of the footwear and/or in an article worn by the wearer of the footwear measure the level of stress or other characteristics and provide input to one or more microprocessors that control motors located in the sole or in the upper of the footwear. When the motors are activated, they may compress or loosen arrays of tiles to adjust the stiffness of the upper in one or more regions of the upper.

An interchangeable boot attachment is provided. An interchangeable boot attachment comprising a buckle strap affixed to a baseplate around a heel of the baseplate and an insert. The baseplate having an insert channel along a bottom of the baseplate that tapers from an opening at the heel towards a toe end of the baseplate. The insert having a tapered projection that tapers in an identical formation to the insert channel and is coupled to the insert channel during assembly such that a dovetail joint is formed between the opening, the insert channel and the tapered projection. The opening providing access to the insert channel for the insert. The buckle rotated and snapped to apply tension along the strap to secure the insert. The buckle decoupled and released from the strap to remove the strap from the opening to allow for removing the insert.

An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components such as a lighting apparatus. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include a chamber designed to receive the lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus can be installed in the chamber after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the lighting apparatus can include provisions for facilitating the installation of the lighting apparatus in the chamber, including a removable handle portion that can help guide the lighting apparatus within the chamber.

The present invention relates to an interchangeable footwear device. The device may include a flip-flop sandal design wherein the device may include interchangeable structural features to allow a user to change features as associated with a particular terrain. The interchangeable footwear device includes a gripping system to traverse a number of different terrains. The footwear may include a sole member having a thong member attached to a top of the sole and a heel strap selectively attached to the sole. The heel strap may be selectively attached to the sole with a fastener that may be manually adjusted in a secured or unsecured position to remove the heel strap from the sole. In particular, the interchangeable footwear device may include a gripping unit selectively attached to the sole member of the footwear. The gripping unit may include a toe grip pad and a heel grip pad.

An article of footwear for climbing is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a sole structure including at least an outsole and having a concave shape; and an upper secured to the sole structure. The upper includes a textile including an active region and a secure region, the active region being between a lateral side of the upper and a medial side of the upper at least in an area of the upper at a toe side of an area corresponding to a ball of a foot disposed in the article of footwear. The article of footwear provides for stretchibility in the active region and support in the secure region.

An invention pertaining to footwear is described, including a flexible protection plate, an insole, and a shoe with three forefoot pads and three toe compartments. The sections of the protection plate are hinged or separated to allow a greater degree of independent movement of the three main groups of muscles and bones in the forefoot in response to varying walking, hiking and running terrain. A separate insole is described that incorporates the forefoot protection plate and that can be inserted into and removed from footwear in order to provide additional protection as needed. A shoe including outersole, midsole and upper, are also described in which the forward portion is divided into three toe compartments that are configured to allow independent articulation of corresponding individual toes and/or pairs of toes inserted in the footwear.

An article of footwear including a tensioning system is disclosed. The tensioning system is adjustable and includes a first layer and a second layer that is moveable and extends over the first layer. The article can include elements that are capable of distributing tension over the article. The article may include a tensile element, guide elements, and one or more strap guides attached to an underside of the second layer.

An article of footwear for climbing is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a sole structure including at least an outsole and having a concave shape; and an upper secured to the sole structure. The upper includes a textile including an active region and a secure region, the active region being between a lateral side of the upper and a medial side of the upper at least in an area of the upper at a toe side of an area corresponding to a ball of a foot disposed in the article of footwear. The article of footwear provides for stretchability in the active region and support in the secure region.

Articles of footwear and soles are disclosed. The article of footwear may include an upper, a midsole with a midsole core and a midsole rim, and an outsole. The midsole core may be manufactured from a plurality of portions that are arranged in a particular order before being placed in a mold. The plurality of portions may be arranged so that the portions at least partially overlap each other. The plurality of portions may be arranged in longitudinal strips. The plurality of portions may be arranged in lateral portions. The plurality of portions may be adhered to each other before being placed in the mold. The mold may apply heat and pressure for a predetermined amount of time to form the midsole.

An article of footwear with a dynamic support system that controls arrays of tiles in the upper of the footwear to adjust the level of support provided in different regions of the upper. Sensors in the sole of the footwear, in the upper of the footwear and/or in an article worn by the wearer of the footwear measure the level of stress or other characteristics and provide input to one or more microprocessors that control motors located in the sole or in the upper of the footwear. When the motors are activated, they may compress or loosen arrays of tiles to adjust the stiffness of the upper in one or more regions of the upper.