A method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe/boot includes steps of cutting waterproof leather, arranging and stacking vamp section, forming through hot pressing, sewing heel section, hot-pressing heel section, combining midsole, and injecting sole to accompany fabrication of a waterproof shoe/boot, in which fabrication of a vamp section and a shaft section is accomplished through hot pressing the waterproof leather that is coated with a hot-melt adhesive; a sewing line of a heel section is covered by a heel water-resistant plate that is attached thereto through hot pressing to provide an effect of waterproofness; and a sewing line between a midsole and the vamp section is covered by an upper rim of a sole to achieve an effect of waterproofness. The vamp section and the shaft section are made with the waterproof leather that is light and thin so that the weight of the waterproof shoe/boot is greatly reduced.

A pre-tensioned article and method of making an article of footwear involving pre-tensioning a sole structure during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of apertures that provide an auxetic effect. In further embodiments, the upper may also be pre-tensioned in a similar manner as the sole structure.

A pre-tensioned article and method of making an article of footwear involving pre-tensioning a sole structure during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of apertures that provide an auxetic effect. In further embodiments, the upper may also be pre-tensioned in a similar manner as the sole structure.

A method for manufacturing a light-weight waterproof shoe/boot includes steps of cutting waterproof leather, arranging and stacking vamp section, forming through hot pressing, sewing heel section, hot-pressing heel section, combining midsole, and injecting sole to accompany fabrication of a waterproof shoe/boot, in which fabrication of a vamp section and a shaft section is accomplished through hot pressing the waterproof leather that is coated with a hot-melt adhesive; a sewing line of a heel section is covered by a heel water-resistant plate that is attached thereto through hot pressing to provide an effect of waterproofness; and a sewing line between a midsole and the vamp section is covered by an upper rim of a sole to achieve an effect of waterproofness. The vamp section and the shaft section are made with the waterproof leather that is light and thin so that the weight of the waterproof shoe/boot is greatly reduced.

A shoe has an upper, an insole, and a bottom with a base having an edge extending vertically upwards to define a perimeter abutment. A method of making the shoe includes providing an open upper, bringing into contact an internal perimeter edge of the upper with the insole, placing a first seam between the upper and the insole to obtain an insole-upper unit, and positioning the same in the bottom so that a lower portion of the insole-upper unit abuts the bottom and the perimeter portion of the insole-upper unit abuts the internal face of the perimeter abutment, obtaining an insole-upper-bottom assembly. References are marked on the external side of the upper of the insole-upper-bottom assembly adjacent the edge of the bottom's perimeter abutment to guide positioning of the insole-upper-bottom assembly, with placement of a second seam joining the bottom to the upper of the insole-upper unit.

Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expense.

Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expense.

A sole includes an outer sole assembly including a plurality of outer sole members spaced apart from each other by a plurality of gaps. In addition, the sole includes a middle sole assembly defining a plurality of grooves, and an intermediate layer comprising an elastomer. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer sole assembly and the middle sole assembly. The intermediate layer connects the middle sole assembly to the outer sole assembly. The intermediate layer is more elastic than each of the plurality of outer sole members. The intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly. At least one of the gaps is vertically aligned with one of the grooves.

A sole includes an outer sole assembly including a plurality of outer sole members spaced apart from each other by a plurality of gaps. In addition, the sole includes a middle sole assembly defining a plurality of grooves, and an intermediate layer comprising an elastomer. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer sole assembly and the middle sole assembly. The intermediate layer connects the middle sole assembly to the outer sole assembly. The intermediate layer is more elastic than each of the plurality of outer sole members. The intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly. At least one of the gaps is vertically aligned with one of the grooves.