Heeled footwear such as a shoe or boot including a sole assembly and a heel part may be provided. In one implementation, the heel part may include an insert formed in a first material. The insert may include 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 may be encased in a second material different from the first material. The outer material may form an outer contour layer of the heel part, and the sole assembly may include an outsole formed in the second material, the second material being softer than the first material. The outsole and the outer contour layer may be designed to be formed in one piece providing an outer sole unit being one component.

Heeled footwear such as a shoe or boot including a sole assembly and a heel part may be provided. In one implementation, the heel part may include an insert formed in a first material. The insert may include 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 may be encased in a second material different from the first material. The outer material may form an outer contour layer of the heel part, and the sole assembly may include an outsole formed in the second material, the second material being softer than the first material. The outsole and the outer contour layer may be designed to be formed in one piece providing an outer sole unit being one component.

The disclosure is directed to shoe accoutrements and methods of making and using the same. A shoe accoutrement assembly for attaching to a shoe may be provided, the shoe attachment assembly comprising: (a) a spine positioned adjacent a back surface of the shoe, the spine extending vertically along the back surface of the shoe; (b) at least one securement device attached onto the spine, the at least one securement device for securing the shoe accoutrement assembly to the shoe; and (c) at least one accoutrement that includes a mount portion and an embellishment, and the mount portion attached onto the spine, and the embellishment being a decoration of the accoutrement.

The disclosure is directed to shoe accoutrements and methods of making and using the same. A shoe accoutrement assembly for attaching to a shoe may be provided, the shoe attachment assembly comprising: (a) a spine positioned adjacent a back surface of the shoe, the spine extending vertically along the back surface of the shoe; (b) at least one securement device attached onto the spine, the at least one securement device for securing the shoe accoutrement assembly to the shoe; and (c) at least one accoutrement that includes a mount portion and an embellishment, and the mount portion attached onto the spine, and the embellishment being a decoration of the accoutrement.

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.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a U-shaped foamed ankle collar. The ankle collar may form the topmost region of the foot receiving shoe opening and the foamed ankle collar may extend at least partially around and over a foot receiving shoe opening. The ankle collar is capable of being compressed by the user's heel during foot insertion and the ankle collar may exert pressure on the user's ankle once the foot is inserted. The ankle collar may have a flattened region along its length forming a downward angle from the topmost region toward the front of the article of footwear. The ankle collar may be located along at least a portion of an inner surface of a heel cup and the heel cup may have a shoe-horn like configuration. The ankle collar may reduce the dimensions of the shoe opening when not compressed.

Footwear for covering a foot of a wearer includes an outsole configured for supporting the foot of the wearer, an upper secured to the outsole and configured for covering the foot of the wearer, an insole located above the outsole within the upper, a midsole located above the outsole and below the insole and first and second laterally adjacent shanks located above the outsole and below the insole. The first shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a lateral side of the middle portion and the second shank angles forward and outward from the heel portion to a medial side of the middle portion to form an acute angle therebetween and provide balance and torsional stability for sides of the wearer's foot.

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.