A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

The present disclosure concerns a sock-lined footwear upper defining a foot-receiving cavity and comprising a sock having an outer surface and an inner surface at least partially delimiting the foot-receiving cavity and comprising a heel counter area; an outer layer covering at least partially the outer surface of the sock; and a heel pad at least partially secured to the inner surface of the sock in the heel counter area thereof. The present disclosure also concerns such a heel pad, an item of sock-lined footwear comprising such an upper and a method for manufacturing such an item of sock-lined footwear.

The present disclosure concerns a sock-lined footwear upper defining a foot-receiving cavity and comprising a sock having an outer surface and an inner surface at least partially delimiting the foot-receiving cavity and comprising a heel counter area; an outer layer covering at least partially the outer surface of the sock; and a heel pad at least partially secured to the inner surface of the sock in the heel counter area thereof. The present disclosure also concerns such a heel pad, an item of sock-lined footwear comprising such an upper and a method for manufacturing such an item of sock-lined footwear.

An article of footwear has an upper and a compressible structure secured to the upper. The compressible structure can include one or more materials with physical properties that singly or in vertical aggregate, generally conform to those of a spring, following Hooke's Law, F=kx, whereby the ratio of k/k.sub.ideal approaches a value of 1.0, wherein the ideal k value is defined as k.sub.ideal=F.sub.impulsex.sub.s-max, for a compressible structure region located adjacent to the corresponding region of the foot that generates the force impulse.

An article of footwear has an upper and a compressible structure secured to the upper. The compressible structure can include one or more materials with physical properties that singly or in vertical aggregate, generally conform to those of a spring, following Hooke's Law, F=kx, whereby the ratio of k/k.sub.ideal approaches a value of 1.0, wherein the ideal k value is defined as k.sub.ideal=F.sub.impulsex.sub.s-max, for a compressible structure region located adjacent to the corresponding region of the foot that generates the force impulse.

A footlet (1) is provided with a heel portion (2), a toe portion (6) and a middle portion (4) interposed between the heel portion and the toe portion. The middle portion comprises lateral sides extending between the heel portion and the toe portion on either side. The footlet is completely manufactured by reciprocating knitting. The heel portion is provided with a thread comprising an anti-slip agent, which thread is incorporated in the heel portion by knitting.

A footlet (1) is provided with a heel portion (2), a toe portion (6) and a middle portion (4) interposed between the heel portion and the toe portion. The middle portion comprises lateral sides extending between the heel portion and the toe portion on either side. The footlet is completely manufactured by reciprocating knitting. The heel portion is provided with a thread comprising an anti-slip agent, which thread is incorporated in the heel portion by knitting.

A shoe includes: a sole made of an elastic material and including a planta support configured to support a plantar surface of a foot; an upper attached to the sole and configured to cover the foot; and a heel counter provided above the planta support, arranged in a heel area of the upper, and covering a region of the foot from a medial side portion to a lateral side portion. The heel counter includes, in a lower rear portion of the heel area, a notch (deformation allowance portion) which is configured to allow impact deformation caused by upward movement of a rear portion of the planta support when the sole receives impact.

A shoe includes: a sole made of an elastic material and including a planta support configured to support a plantar surface of a foot; an upper attached to the sole and configured to cover the foot; and a heel counter provided above the planta support, arranged in a heel area of the upper, and covering a region of the foot from a medial side portion to a lateral side portion. The heel counter includes, in a lower rear portion of the heel area, a notch (deformation allowance portion) which is configured to allow impact deformation caused by upward movement of a rear portion of the planta support when the sole receives impact.

A plate for an article of footwear includes a substrate, a first strand portion attached to the substrate via first stitching, and a second strand portion disposed on the first layer. The first strand portion includes first segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate. The second strand portion includes second segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a second layer on the first layer.