The present disclosure is directed to uncured compositions that comprise a mixture of an uncured rubber with a polymeric hydrogel which, when cured to form crosslinks in the rubber, form elastomeric materials. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of using the uncured compositions and the elastomeric materials. The elastomeric materials can be used to make and/or incorporated into various types of articles (e.g., footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, or components of each).

The present disclosure, in general, provides for elastomeric materials which, when they contact water, take up water reversibly, and undergo a dry to wet “character change” in which the appearance of the elastomeric material, its physical properties, or both, is altered.

A shoe assembly includes a base shoe (10), a removable outsole (25) and a removable cover (22). The base shoe (10) is defined by a skeleton insole (11) having a lower surface, a heel component (12), and an upper (13) rising from the periphery of the skeleton insole (11). The upper (13) defines a foot-retaining element. The removable outsole (25) is connected to the skeleton insole (11) to overlie the lower surface thereof. There is a releasable mechanism having a first part on the skeleton insole (11) and a second part on the outsole (25) to interconnect the two. The removable cover (22) is for the upper (13), and fits over the base shoe (10) to overlie the foot-retaining element. The cover (22) has a sole region provided with a sole opening for accommodation of the releasable mechanism interconnecting the outsole (25) with the skeleton insole (11). The cover (22) also has a heel opening (23) through which at least a part of the heel component (12) passes. A part of the cover (22) is located between the lower surface of the skeleton insole (11) and the outsole (25), to retain the cover (22) on the base shoe (10).

A shoe assembly includes a base shoe (10), a removable outsole (25) and a removable cover (22). The base shoe (10) is defined by a skeleton insole (11) having a lower surface, a heel component (12), and an upper (13) rising from the periphery of the skeleton insole (11). The upper (13) defines a foot-retaining element. The removable outsole (25) is connected to the skeleton insole (11) to overlie the lower surface thereof. There is a releasable mechanism having a first part on the skeleton insole (11) and a second part on the outsole (25) to interconnect the two. The removable cover (22) is for the upper (13), and fits over the base shoe (10) to overlie the foot-retaining element. The cover (22) has a sole region provided with a sole opening for accommodation of the releasable mechanism interconnecting the outsole (25) with the skeleton insole (11). The cover (22) also has a heel opening (23) through which at least a part of the heel component (12) passes. A part of the cover (22) is located between the lower surface of the skeleton insole (11) and the outsole (25), to retain the cover (22) on the base shoe (10).

A knitted component for an article of footwear may have an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion, a first yarn, where the first yarn at least partially forms the overfoot portion and at least partially forms the underfoot portion, and a second yarn, where the second yarn at least partially forms the overfoot portion and at least partially forms the underfoot portion. The first yarn may include a first material composition with a first melting point and the second yarn may include a second material composition with a second melting point. The first melting point may be at least 20 degrees Celsius higher than the second melting point.

A knitted component for an article of footwear may have an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion, a first yarn, where the first yarn at least partially forms the overfoot portion and at least partially forms the underfoot portion, and a second yarn, where the second yarn at least partially forms the overfoot portion and at least partially forms the underfoot portion. The first yarn may include a first material composition with a first melting point and the second yarn may include a second material composition with a second melting point. The first melting point may be at least 20 degrees Celsius higher than the second melting point.

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.

Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

A sole assembly and a high heel footwear having the same and methods for manufacturing the sole assembly and the high heel footwear are disclosed. The sole assembly includes an insole board comprising a forefoot portion, a heel portion, and a raised outer edge, wherein the heel portion is elevated with respect to the forefoot portion forming an arch therebetween; and an insole platform positioned above the insole board, the insole platform comprising a plurality of contours on an upper surface and a plurality of holes at a lower surface.