An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure coupled with the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole that is coupled to the upper along an upper surface of the midsole and to an outsole along a lower surface that is opposite the upper surface. Both the upper surface and the lower surface are curved along a width of the sole structure to curve away from the upper and toward the outsole within a forefoot region, thus forming a rounded surface that extends throughout the forefoot region. A stiffening member is coupled to the midsole and extends from a heel end toward a toe end. The stiffening member includes a base disposed within at least a midfoot region and a plurality of tines that extend into the forefoot region from the base.

Systems and methods for providing a golf shoe comprising a heel cup with an asymmetrical padding configuration to reduce foot movement during a golf swing. The asymmetrical padding configuration may include one or more heel pads that fit the contour of the heel area of the wearer's foot to provide proper support and fit to a golfer to reduce the voids of space that normally occur around the heel portion in a shoe. The support may lead to a better fit for increased comfort and more stability during the golf swing by reducing foot movement during the swing. The heel pad(s) may be provided between an outer and inner layer of material forming the shoe's upper and may be made of a variety of different materials that may give different stiffness and comfort to the heel area of the wearer's foot. In some examples, the shoe may be waterproof.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a first member that extends away from the sole structure. The first member at least partially defines a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear. Moreover, the second member has a body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The body is attached to the first member such that the first member and the body cooperate to define a void that is configured to receive a foot. The body is also attached to the sole structure. The first support arm is attached to the first member on the medial side, and the second support arm is attached to the first member on the lateral side.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a first member that extends away from the sole structure. The first member at least partially defines a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear. Moreover, the second member has a body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The body is attached to the first member such that the first member and the body cooperate to define a void that is configured to receive a foot. The body is also attached to the sole structure. The first support arm is attached to the first member on the medial side, and the second support arm is attached to the first member on the lateral side.

An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes a single fabric portion including a base layer having breathability. The single fabric portion includes: a strength portion including the base layer, a breathable layer, and a strength layer; and a breathable portion including only the base layer or only the base layer and the breathable layer. The base layer has a shape extending from a toe region located at a front end in a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear to reach a heel region located at a rear end thereof. The strength portion includes: a toe strength portion disposed in the toe region; and a heel strength portion disposed in the heel region. The breathable portion includes an intermediate breathable portion disposed in an intermediate region located between the toe region and the heel region.

A protective device, in particular a safety toe cap, for use with an article of footwear is provided. A safety toe cap of the present technology includes one or more strain hardened portions configured to strengthen or reinforce sections of the safety toe cap against impact, particularly from above. The one or more strain hardened portions have increased strength in relation to adjacent non-strain hardened portions and therefore may maintain adequate protection of a user's toes and foot, while simultaneously allowing for lowered material use and a device with a lightweight, streamlined profile.

An upper comprising a flexible layer configured to receive a foot, a bladder coupled to an outer surface of the flexible layer, and an inflation mechanism operatively coupled to the bladder for inflating the bladder such that the flexible layer is drawn toward the foot. The bladder extends from a lateral side in a heel region across a throat region to a medial side in the heel region. The bladder comprises a plurality of fluidly connected segments, each segment forming an angle with an adjacent segment.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

The present invention relates to a high-heeled shoe comprising an insert (E) and a base body (G), wherein the base body (G) is produced as a single part via a 3D printing process. The insert (E) comprises a surface (EF) that has an upper side (EO) and a lower side (EU), wherein a heel (A) is formed on the lower side (EU). The base body (G) comprises a base surface (F) and an inner flap (I), wherein the base surface (F) has an upper side (FO), a lower side (FU) and a first cavity (H1), and the inner flap (I) has an upper side (IO) and a lower side (IU), wherein the lower side (IU) of the inner flap (I) is joined with the upper side (FO) of the base surface (F) of the base body (G) such that, between the lower side (IU), the upper side (FO) and the first cavity (H1), a second cavity (H2) is formed which forms an overall cavity (HG) with the first cavity (H1), wherein the overall cavity (HG) essentially corresponds to the shape of the insert (E). The insert (E) is positioned in the overall cavity (HG) such that the lower side (EU) of the surface (EF) of the insert (E) is completely contacted with the upper side (FO) of the base surface (F) of the base body (G), and the lower side (IU) of the inner flap (I) completely covers the upper side (EO) of the surface (EF) of the insert (E). The present invention furthermore relates to a process for producing the high-heeled shoe and to the use of an inner flap (I) for completely covering the upper side (EO) of the surface (EF) of an insert (E) in a high-heeled shoe.