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 shoe includes a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has an outsole, a molded chassis, a forefoot cushion, and a heel cushion. The medial midfoot region of the outsole is devoid of the outsole such that the chassis member is visible as viewed in a bottom plan view. The molded chassis has a forefoot opening and a heel opening, with both the forefoot opening and the heel opening being through openings extending through the molded chassis. The forefoot opening is in one or more of the toe region and the ball region of the sole, and the heel opening is in the heel region of the sole. The forefoot cushion is in the forefoot opening, and the heel cushion is in the heel opening. The molded chassis is coupled to the outsole and coupled to the upper.

A shoe includes a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has a heel outsole member, a forefoot outsole member, a heel member, a chassis member, a heel cushion, a forefoot cushion, and a shank. The heel member extends downwardly from the chassis and the heel cushion is within an open top cavity in the heel member. The chassis member includes a through heel opening and a through forefoot opening with the heel opening overlying the open top heel cavity of the heel member. The heel cushion is in the heel opening of the chassis member. The forefoot cushion is in the forefoot opening of the chassis member. The shank has a through heel opening overlying the heel through opening in the chassis member. The heel outsole member is coupled to the heel member. The forefoot outsole member is in contact with the forefoot cushion.

The disclosure is directed to shoe accoutrements and methods of making and using the same. A shoe assembly for a shoe, can include an inner layer of first material; a support layer of second material, and the support layer including a slit, and a pocket being provided between the inner layer and the support layer. The shoe assembly can further include a first attachment plate attached to the inner layer; a second attachment plate, and the second attachment plate being magnetically attracted to the first attachment plate and positioned on the first attachment plate, and the second attachment plate being slidably removable out a top of the pocket, and the slit running along a back side of the pocket; a connection assembly attached to the second attachment plate; and an accoutrement, and the accoutrement supported by the connection assembly.

The disclosure is directed to shoe accoutrements and methods of making and using the same. A shoe assembly for a shoe, can include an inner layer of first material; a support layer of second material, and the support layer including a slit, and a pocket being provided between the inner layer and the support layer. The shoe assembly can further include a first attachment plate attached to the inner layer; a second attachment plate, and the second attachment plate being magnetically attracted to the first attachment plate and positioned on the first attachment plate, and the second attachment plate being slidably removable out a top of the pocket, and the slit running along a back side of the pocket; a connection assembly attached to the second attachment plate; and an accoutrement, and the accoutrement supported by the connection assembly.

An article of footwear includes a heel cup that is attached to the upper and extends from the sole structure to at least a portion of the rear heel collar of the upper. The heel cup may be uniformly molded with an upper portion, midportion, and lower portion and the upper portion has a smaller mediolateral length than the midportion, and the midportion and lower portion form a concave structure that receives the heel. The upper portion has a first configuration and is capable of distorting into a second configuration under a load of a user's foot when the user is donning the footwear. In the second configuration, at least part of the upper portion is lowered and is capable of returning to the first configuration after the load of the user's foot is removed. The midportion includes a peripheral portion that may be thicker than a central portion.

An article of footwear includes a heel cup that is attached to the upper and extends from the sole structure to at least a portion of the rear heel collar of the upper. The heel cup may be uniformly molded with an upper portion, midportion, and lower portion and the upper portion has a smaller mediolateral length than the midportion, and the midportion and lower portion form a concave structure that receives the heel. The upper portion has a first configuration and is capable of distorting into a second configuration under a load of a user's foot when the user is donning the footwear. In the second configuration, at least part of the upper portion is lowered and is capable of returning to the first configuration after the load of the user's foot is removed. The midportion includes a peripheral portion that may be thicker than a central portion.

A shoe with a sole, upper, and shaft, whose upper and shaft contain a number of modifications to increase flexibility of the shoe but maintain protection for the wearer of the shoe. These modifications fall into the general categories of notch and aperture. The upper also has a number of protrusions into the shaft to increase protection in the protrusion areas. The location, shape, and size of these notches, apertures, and protrusions are important for optimizing the flexibility and protective qualities of the shoe.

A shoe includes a shoe upper and a sole coupled to the shoe upper and that includes a lower surface comprising a first material. A heel insert is embedded in a heel portion of the sole and includes a second material having a coefficient of friction less than a coefficient of friction of the first material, such as less than half. The heel insert may include projections made of a low-friction material such as nylon or UHMW whereas the sole is made from rubber. The projections may be embedded in a frame that seats within an inverted U-shaped channel defined by the sole.

A shoe includes a shoe upper and a sole coupled to the shoe upper and that includes a lower surface comprising a first material. A heel insert is embedded in a heel portion of the sole and includes a second material having a coefficient of friction less than a coefficient of friction of the first material, such as less than half. The heel insert may include projections made of a low-friction material such as nylon or UHMW whereas the sole is made from rubber. The projections may be embedded in a frame that seats within an inverted U-shaped channel defined by the sole.