A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure including a forefoot region and a heel region. The sole structure further includes a chassis plate, an outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, the outsole plate including a recess disposed in a top surface, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the chassis plate, and a cushioning element disposed within the recess.

A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure including a forefoot region and a heel region. The sole structure further includes a chassis plate, an outsole plate extending from the forefoot region to the heel region, the outsole plate including a recess disposed in a top surface, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the chassis plate, and a cushioning element disposed within the recess.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

A support interface apparatus removably couplable to a cleated cycling shoe to enable the user to walk on an underlying substrate with minimal slipping on the substrate and/or minimal damage to the underlying substrate by the cleat. The apparatus includes a base pad and a cleat cavity located in the front portion of the base pad. The cleat cavity includes a perimeter, a base, and a cleat-retaining space established by the perimeter and the base. The base pad of a first embodiment is formed of two layers of material and a second embodiment is formed of three layers of EVA material. The cleat cavity is arranged for removably retaining the cleat of the cycling shoe therein so that the user may walk on the underlying surface without the heel and the cleat making direct contact with the underlying substrate.

A footwear sole structure may include a plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements defined by a plurality of sipes. The sipes may include a plurality of sipes that extend in a transverse direction across the sole structure and a plurality of sipes that extend in an oblique direction relative to the transverse sipes. A plurality of sipes may also subdivide the hexagonally-shaped sole elements into one or more diamond-shaped sole element portions. The sole structure may include additional features such as non-hexagonal sole elements and lugs distributed across a bottom surface of the sole structure.

A footwear sole structure may include a plurality of discrete hexagonally-shaped sole elements defined by a plurality of sipes. The sipes may include a plurality of sipes that extend in a transverse direction across the sole structure and a plurality of sipes that extend in an oblique direction relative to the transverse sipes. A plurality of sipes may also subdivide the hexagonally-shaped sole elements into one or more diamond-shaped sole element portions. The sole structure may include additional features such as non-hexagonal sole elements and lugs distributed across a bottom surface of the sole structure.

A sole structure, having a forefoot region; a mid-foot region; and a heel region; wherein the sole structure includes a midsole including a cushioning element disposed in the heel region and having a top surface, and a heel stabilizing element disposed in the heel region and around a portion of an exterior surface of the midsole, the heel stabilizing element extending from a first end disposed on a medial side of the sole structure to a second end disposed on a lateral side of the sole structure, wherein the first end of the heel stabilizing element is offset from the second end of the heel stabilizing element along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear.

A plate for an article of footwear includes a base layer, a first strand layer, and a second strand layer. The base layer has a peripheral edge defining a medial side and a lateral side extending between a heel region and a forefoot region. The first strand portion is attached to the base layer via first stitching that crosses over the first strand portion and penetrates the base layer at first attachment locations that are spaced apart from the first strand portion. The first strand portion further includes adjacent segments that form a first layer on the base layer. The second strand portion is disposed on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer and is attached to the base layer via second stitching.

A plate for an article of footwear includes a base layer, a first strand layer, and a second strand layer. The base layer has a peripheral edge defining a medial side and a lateral side extending between a heel region and a forefoot region. The first strand portion is attached to the base layer via first stitching that crosses over the first strand portion and penetrates the base layer at first attachment locations that are spaced apart from the first strand portion. The first strand portion further includes adjacent segments that form a first layer on the base layer. The second strand portion is disposed on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer and is attached to the base layer via second stitching.