In certain aspects, the inventive subject matter is directed to production of constructs of footwear and components thereof by jet extrusion. The inventive subject matter contemplates novel processes for making such constructs using jets or streams of materials that solidify as fibers, and which form into two- or three-dimensional webs as they are collected. The webs may be in the nature of films, membranes, or mats. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter generally relates to nonwoven textiles consisting of webs of superfine fibers, i.e., fibers with diameters in nanoscale or micronscale ranges.

A process of making a family cell of homogenous inner bladders with varying elasticity includes a forming a plurality of inner bladders from a first material with a first elasticity. The inner bladders have interior surfaces during inner chambers and exterior surfaces exposed to an outside environment. The inner chambers are configured to store a fluid. A family cell is formed by fluidly connecting the inner bladders. One or more hybrid bladders are selected from the inner bladders and a second material having a second elasticity is applied to the hybrid bladders. The second elasticity is less than the first elasticity, such that the second material reduces the elastic qualities of the hybrid bladder.

A shoe insert includes a generally planar body having a perimeter defining a foot-shaped area on an upper side of the body, the foot-shaped area including first and second toe areas and a heel area configured respectively for placement of a first toe, a second toe, and a heel of a user. The upper side defines a channel extending along an axis passing through a space between the first and second toe areas and the heel area. A linear member may be placed in the channel to protrude from an upper surface of the body. When a user uses the insert, the user's foot may sense the channel (or linear member, if present) and activate mechano-receptors on the bottom of the foot along the channel, which, in-turn, may train the foot to extend in a predetermined position relative to the linear member to improve balance.

An insole which provides cushioning and support to a user's foot subjected to a high magnitude of ground reaction forces (GRF) encountered in playing court sports, such as basketball, is herein disclosed. The insole comprises a base having a bottom side which defines recesses adapted to receive pads having particular properties. The location and materials of the various pads and pods work together to provide ground reaction force modulation to the user's foot which is highly desirable for users engaged in basketball and similar activities.

An insole which provides cushioning and support to a user's foot subjected to a high magnitude of ground reaction forces (GRF) encountered in playing court sports, such as basketball, is herein disclosed. The insole comprises a base having a bottom side which defines recesses adapted to receive pads having particular properties. The location and materials of the various pads and pods work together to provide ground reaction force modulation to the user's foot which is highly desirable for users engaged in basketball and similar activities.

Improved cushioning elements for sports apparel, in particular for soles for sports shoes, are described. A cushioning element for sports apparel with a first deformation element is provided. The deformation element includes a plurality of randomly arranged particles of an expanded material, wherein there are first voids within the particles and/or between the particles.

Improved cushioning elements for sports apparel, in particular for soles for sports shoes, are described. A cushioning element for sports apparel with a first deformation element is provided. The deformation element includes a plurality of randomly arranged particles of an expanded material, wherein there are first voids within the particles and/or between the particles.

A wearable article such as an article of athletic gear (e.g., a skate, an article of protective athletic equipment such as a helmet, etc.) wearable by a user and comprising an expandable user-engaging structure that is configured to be expanded (e.g., by heat or another stimulus) after manufacturing of the wearable article to conform it to the user or otherwise improve a fit of the wearable article on the user.

A reusable, customizable shoe-insole having an encased viscoelastic material disposed on base of an insole and configured to assume an arch support structure in accordance with sole geometries of each additional user.

A reusable, customizable shoe-insole having an encased viscoelastic material disposed on base of an insole and configured to assume an arch support structure in accordance with sole geometries of each additional user.