A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

An article of footwear with a braided upper is disclosed. The article includes a braided upper with a bottom opening and a bottom peripheral portion surrounding the bottom opening. An article can include an insole component with a projecting portion that fits though the bottom opening. An article may otherwise include a midsole component with an upper projecting portion that fits through the bottom opening. A midsole component and/or an insole component may be attached directly to the bottom peripheral portion of the braided upper using a bonding agent.

A shoe comprising an upper forming an interior portion for a foot, the interior portion including toe and heel cavities, is provided. The shoe further comprises a midsole having toe and heel ends and inner and outer sides. The midsole is stitched to the upper thereby forming a bottom to the interior portion. Heel and toe outsole patches are respectively stitched onto the midsole. An insole is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion. A spacing between the heel and toe outsole patches extends from the inner to the outer side and occupies a position intermediate the toe and heel ends thereby permitting the shoe to fold about an axis running through the spacing. The shoe folds between an extended state, in which the shoe is worn, and a folded state in which a portion of the upper comprising the toe cavity is tucked into the heel cavity.

A shoe comprising an upper forming an interior portion for a foot, the interior portion including toe and heel cavities, is provided. The shoe further comprises a midsole having toe and heel ends and inner and outer sides. The midsole is stitched to the upper thereby forming a bottom to the interior portion. Heel and toe outsole patches are respectively stitched onto the midsole. An insole is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion. A spacing between the heel and toe outsole patches extends from the inner to the outer side and occupies a position intermediate the toe and heel ends thereby permitting the shoe to fold about an axis running through the spacing. The shoe folds between an extended state, in which the shoe is worn, and a folded state in which a portion of the upper comprising the toe cavity is tucked into the heel cavity.

A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

Presented are systems, methods, and devices for manufacturing articles of footwear using sacrificial straps to secure segments of the footwear to a manufacturing fixture. A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, includes providing first and second segments of the footwear's upper, such as the vamp and heel counter. A sacrificial strap is removably attached at opposing ends thereof to the first segment, e.g., proximate a read edge of the vamp. The first segment is placed on a manufacturing fixture, such as a foot-shaped last, and securely attached to the fixture by positioning the sacrificial strap around and against the fixture. The second segment of the upper is attached, e.g., via stitching or bonding, to the first segment. Once attached, the upper is removed from the manufacturing fixture, and the sacrificial strap is cut, torn or otherwise permanently disconnected from the footwear.

Presented are systems, methods, and devices for manufacturing articles of footwear using sacrificial straps to secure segments of the footwear to a manufacturing fixture. A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, includes providing first and second segments of the footwear's upper, such as the vamp and heel counter. A sacrificial strap is removably attached at opposing ends thereof to the first segment, e.g., proximate a read edge of the vamp. The first segment is placed on a manufacturing fixture, such as a foot-shaped last, and securely attached to the fixture by positioning the sacrificial strap around and against the fixture. The second segment of the upper is attached, e.g., via stitching or bonding, to the first segment. Once attached, the upper is removed from the manufacturing fixture, and the sacrificial strap is cut, torn or otherwise permanently disconnected from the footwear.

An article of footwear may include a sole assembly and an upper, positioned above the sole assembly, formed from a stretchable material such as a stretchable canvas. The upper may include stitching, with a stretchability of the stretchable canvas being maintained in an area of the upper where the stitching extends. The stitching may include, for example, double needle cover stitching.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper secured to the sole structure. The upper is configured to receive a foot of a wearer and has a peripheral region. Further, the upper includes a ribbon structure formed of a plurality of ribbon sections, and a plurality of ribbon loops extending from a peripheral region of the upper.