An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an outsole secured to the midsole, and one or more plates positioned within the midsole. Each of the plates has a downwardly-facing concave side and an upwardly-facing concave side. The downwardly-concave side may be positioned on a medial side (or a lateral side) of the footwear, and the upwardly-concave side may be positioned on the lateral side (or the medial side) of the footwear. The undulating medio-lateral configuration of each plate may increase the overall support provided to a wearer's foot during a side-to-side or banking movement.

Sole structures and/or articles of footwear include: (a) a frame with a first sidewall that has an opening defined through it; and (b) an interior midsole component including a second sidewall that extends along the first sidewall of the frame. The interior midsole component includes an outwardly extending stem projecting sideways and into the opening. This stem: (a) may extend at least to a location at or adjacent an outer surface of the first sidewall, (b) may be complementary shaped with respect to an interior surface of the opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the opening, and/or (c) may extend beyond an outermost extent of the opening.

Sole structures and/or articles of footwear include: (a) a frame with a first sidewall that has an opening defined through it; and (b) an interior midsole component including a second sidewall that extends along the first sidewall of the frame. The interior midsole component includes an outwardly extending stem projecting sideways and into the opening. This stem: (a) may extend at least to a location at or adjacent an outer surface of the first sidewall, (b) may be complementary shaped with respect to an interior surface of the opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the opening, and/or (c) may extend beyond an outermost extent of the opening.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole, an outsole secured to the midsole, and one or more plates positioned within the midsole. Each of the plates has a downwardly-facing concave side and an upwardly-facing concave side. The downwardly-concave side may be positioned on a medial side (or a lateral side) of the footwear, and the upwardly-concave side may be positioned on the lateral side (or the medial side) of the footwear. The undulating medio-lateral configuration of each plate may increase the overall support provided to a wearer's foot during a side-to-side or banking movement.