The invention relates to heeled footwear such as a shoe or boot comprising a sole assembly and a heel part. The heel part comprises an insert formed in a first material. The insert comprises a core body delimited by an upper surface, a lower bottom surface, and an outer surface connecting the upper and lower surfaces. At least a part of the outer surface is encased in a second material different from the first material. The outer material forms an outer contour layer of the heel part, and the sole assembly comprises an outsole formed in the second material, said second material being softer than the first material. The outsole and the outer contour layer are designed to be formed in one piece providing an outer sole unit being one component.

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 midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot 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.

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 midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot 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.

Comfortable, protective, durable, and lightweight footwear with minimal component parts. Both the footwear and the method of constructing the same is streamlined.

Comfortable, protective, durable, and lightweight footwear with minimal component parts. Both the footwear and the method of constructing the same is streamlined.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes an outsole having a ground engaging surface and a midsole member disposed between the outsole and the upper. The midsole member has a pocket extending from a heel region to a forefoot region and a sole plate disposed within the pocket. The sole plate extends from the heel region into the forefoot region. In the heel region, the sole structure is shaped to define an entry region that is configured to increase contact at the ground engaging surface during a heel strike. The entry region defines an angled portion that is angled at an entry angle relative to a flat ground surface. The midsole member is a supercritical foam.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes an outsole having a ground engaging surface and a midsole member disposed between the outsole and the upper. The midsole member has a pocket extending from a heel region to a forefoot region and a sole plate disposed within the pocket. The sole plate extends from the heel region into the forefoot region. In the heel region, the sole structure is shaped to define an entry region that is configured to increase contact at the ground engaging surface during a heel strike. The entry region defines an angled portion that is angled at an entry angle relative to a flat ground surface. The midsole member is a supercritical foam.

An article of footwear includes a chassis, and the chassis includes a body having a toe end, a heel end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A distance from the top surface to the bottom surface is a thickness of the chassis, and the body defines a perimeter of the chassis. The chassis may include an aperture within the perimeter of the chassis that extends through the thickness of the chassis. A center region of the body between the toe end and the heel end may include a cored region having a cavity defined in the top surface of the body and at least one vertical support within the cavity. In some aspects, the body includes a non-uniform thickness.

An article of footwear includes a chassis, and the chassis includes a body having a toe end, a heel end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A distance from the top surface to the bottom surface is a thickness of the chassis, and the body defines a perimeter of the chassis. The chassis may include an aperture within the perimeter of the chassis that extends through the thickness of the chassis. A center region of the body between the toe end and the heel end may include a cored region having a cavity defined in the top surface of the body and at least one vertical support within the cavity. In some aspects, the body includes a non-uniform thickness.

An item of footwear and a method of modifying an existing item of footwear is provided that is compact, lightweight, resilient and stable. The item of footwear includes a sole; and a fibre reinforced shank extending along a length of the sole, to provide rigidity to the sole.