An article of footwear (100), apparel (500, 600), and/or sporting equipment (300, 400), and methods of manufacturing thereof, having a hydrogel present on at least a portion of an externally-facing side of the article. The hydrogel is effective in reducing soil accumulation on the article, and/or for reducing soil adhesion to the article.

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim at least partially defining an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component and an open space at least at a forefoot support area, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and an opposite ground-facing surface; and (b) a forefoot edge support extending along and defining at least a portion of a first forefoot edge of the ground-engaging component. A bottom surface of the forefoot edge support (which may engage the ground) slants in an outward and downward direction from a location adjacent the open space toward the first forefoot edge. In some shoe pairs, the forefoot edge supports may be provided on a lateral forefoot side edge of one shoe, e.g., the right shoe, and on a medial forefoot side edge of the other shoe, e.g., the left shoe. The ground-engaging component(s) further may have “directional traction” features designed to support plant and rotation of the different feet when running a curve (e.g., on a curved or banked track).

The invention relates to a method for the production of a shoe (1), especially of a sports shoe. To provide an effective and cost-efficient method for the shoe production, the invention comprises the steps: a) Production of a shoe upper (2) and of a shoe sole (3); b) Joining of the shoe upper (2) and the shoe sole (3) and inserting the joined shoe upper (2) and the shoe sole (3) into a flexible container element (4) which can be closed in an air-tight manner; c) Air-tight closing of the container element (4) and evacuating of the container element (4), so that the container element (4) presses together the joined shoe upper (2) and the shoe sole (3) within the container element (4); d) Connecting the shoe upper (2) and the shoe sole (3) within the container element (4) with another; e) Venting of the container element (4) and taking out the connected shoe upper (2) and shoe sole (3).

The invention relates to a method for the production of a shoe (1), especially of a sports shoe. To provide an effective and cost-efficient method for the shoe production, the invention comprises the steps: a) Production of a shoe upper (2) and of a shoe sole (3); b) Joining of the shoe upper (2) and the shoe sole (3) and inserting the joined shoe upper (2) and the shoe sole (3) into a flexible container element (4) which can be closed in an air-tight manner; c) Air-tight closing of the container element (4) and evacuating of the container element (4), so that the container element (4) presses together the joined shoe upper (2) and the shoe sole (3) within the container element (4); d) Connecting the shoe upper (2) and the shoe sole (3) within the container element (4) with another; e) Venting of the container element (4) and taking out the connected shoe upper (2) and shoe sole (3).

A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).

A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).

A massaging shoe and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The massaging shoe comprises a shoe body formed by a shoe sole (10) and a shoe vamp (20) connected together, and further comprises a sock sleeve (50) detachably arranged in the shoe body, the sock sleeve (50) is provided with at least one massaging air bag (30), the shoe sole includes a shoe sole body (11) having a containing cavity and a shoe board (12) covering on the containing cavity, and the containing cavity is provided therein with an air pump (41) communicating with the massaging air bag (30) and electronic components (40) controlling the air pump (41). In the present invention, the massaging air bag (30) is arranged in the sock sleeve (50), the sock sleeve (50) is arranged in the shoe body, and the massaging air bag (30) is communicated with the air pump (41) to form a massaging shoe. Since the sock sleeve (50) is detachable, it is convenient to detach and clean the sock sleeve (50) after use; if the massaging air bag (30) is damaged, the massaging air bag (30) and the sock sleeve (50) can be replaced directly, and the shoe body does not need to be disassembled, such that it is convenient to repair; moreover, this massaging shoe is simple in manufacture, has a high machining efficiency, and has low cost.

A massaging shoe and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The massaging shoe comprises a shoe body formed by a shoe sole (10) and a shoe vamp (20) connected together, and further comprises a sock sleeve (50) detachably arranged in the shoe body, the sock sleeve (50) is provided with at least one massaging air bag (30), the shoe sole includes a shoe sole body (11) having a containing cavity and a shoe board (12) covering on the containing cavity, and the containing cavity is provided therein with an air pump (41) communicating with the massaging air bag (30) and electronic components (40) controlling the air pump (41). In the present invention, the massaging air bag (30) is arranged in the sock sleeve (50), the sock sleeve (50) is arranged in the shoe body, and the massaging air bag (30) is communicated with the air pump (41) to form a massaging shoe. Since the sock sleeve (50) is detachable, it is convenient to detach and clean the sock sleeve (50) after use; if the massaging air bag (30) is damaged, the massaging air bag (30) and the sock sleeve (50) can be replaced directly, and the shoe body does not need to be disassembled, such that it is convenient to repair; moreover, this massaging shoe is simple in manufacture, has a high machining efficiency, and has low cost.

Shoe uppers having smooth seams and methods for producing them are disclosed. In one embodiment the upper uses thermoplastic seam tape which forms bonds between contiguous upper sections after being subjected to heat and/or pressure. In another embodiment, different parts of the shoe can be joined using hidden seams. Close seams can also be covered with a transfer material adapted to give the interior and/or exterior of the upper a smooth surface. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed which allows three-dimensional upper sections to be bonded on a last using thermoplastic seam tape.

Shoe uppers having smooth seams and methods for producing them are disclosed. In one embodiment the upper uses thermoplastic seam tape which forms bonds between contiguous upper sections after being subjected to heat and/or pressure. In another embodiment, different parts of the shoe can be joined using hidden seams. Close seams can also be covered with a transfer material adapted to give the interior and/or exterior of the upper a smooth surface. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed which allows three-dimensional upper sections to be bonded on a last using thermoplastic seam tape.