Footwear soles, footwear items and associated methods of manufacturing are provided. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole in a form of a single unitary layer composed of a composition having unique and beneficial qualities. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole wherein the composition comprising: ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), and rubber. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole wherein the composition comprising: EVA, rubber, and at least one agent selected from a bulking agent and a foaming agent. Some aspects of the invention provide a method of preparing a footwear sole composed of a single unitary layer, comprising: forming, by mixing while heating, a molten composition comprising: EVA, rubber, and at least one agent selected from a bulking agent and a foaming agent; inserting the molten composition to a mold; and forming the sole while curing the molten composition in the mold.

Footwear soles, footwear items and associated methods of manufacturing are provided. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole in a form of a single unitary layer composed of a composition having unique and beneficial qualities. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole wherein the composition comprising: ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), and rubber. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole wherein the composition comprising: EVA, rubber, and at least one agent selected from a bulking agent and a foaming agent. Some aspects of the invention provide a method of preparing a footwear sole composed of a single unitary layer, comprising: forming, by mixing while heating, a molten composition comprising: EVA, rubber, and at least one agent selected from a bulking agent and a foaming agent; inserting the molten composition to a mold; and forming the sole while curing the molten composition in the mold.

An insert for a ballet pointe shoe includes an aft section positionable adjacent the heel of the shoe or between the heel and the box of the shoe, and a forward section positionable adjacent the platform and under the box. A distal end of the forward section is shaped in complement to the platform. The insert is formed of carbon fiber. The construction resists breaking down with use and can significantly reduce the cost of pointe shoes for ballet dancers while also decreasing the risk of injury.

An insert for a ballet pointe shoe includes an aft section positionable adjacent the heel of the shoe or between the heel and the box of the shoe, and a forward section positionable adjacent the platform and under the box. A distal end of the forward section is shaped in complement to the platform. The insert is formed of carbon fiber. The construction resists breaking down with use and can significantly reduce the cost of pointe shoes for ballet dancers while also decreasing the risk of injury.

Articles of footwear and methods of making articles of footwear including one or more continuous threads wound around anchor points. The winding of the one or more continuous threads forms a thread pattern that imparts desired characteristics to components of the article of footwear. Thread lines of the thread pattern may be bonded together. In some embodiments, thread lines may be bonded with a bonding layer.