A liner for a ski boot has a tongue with an outer substantially saddle-shaped generally stiff layer generally conforming to a dorsal surface of a foot, an inner padding layer contacting the dorsal surface and having a first and second portion. The second portion covers at least a part of a dorsalis pedis artery and is softer than the first portion. A support layer is outside the outer layer and at least partially overlaps the second portion. Also provided is a tongue for footwear having an outer substantially saddle-shaped generally stiff layer conforming to the dorsal surface, an inner padding layer contacting the dorsal surface and having a first and second portion. The second portion covers at least a part of a dorsalis pedis artery and is softer than the first portion. A support layer is outside the outer layer and at least partially overlaps the second portion.

A liner for a ski boot has a tongue with an outer substantially saddle-shaped generally stiff layer generally conforming to a dorsal surface of a foot, an inner padding layer contacting the dorsal surface and having a first and second portion. The second portion covers at least a part of a dorsalis pedis artery and is softer than the first portion. A support layer is outside the outer layer and at least partially overlaps the second portion. Also provided is a tongue for footwear having an outer substantially saddle-shaped generally stiff layer conforming to the dorsal surface, an inner padding layer contacting the dorsal surface and having a first and second portion. The second portion covers at least a part of a dorsalis pedis artery and is softer than the first portion. A support layer is outside the outer layer and at least partially overlaps the second portion.

A method of forming an upper for an article of footwear includes providing a first material layer over a shoe last, providing a second material layer over the first material layer such that the first and second material layers adhere to each other at an interface between the first and second material layers, where one or both of the first material layer and second material layer is provided by spray forming a polymer material onto the last. The material layers are removed from the last and turned inside out such that the first material layer includes an exposed surface that forms an exterior surface of the upper.

An article includes a receptacle defining an interior void and an adjustment element attached to the receptacle. The adjustment element includes bladder defining one or more chambers each having a compressible component disposed therein. The adjustment element is operable between a contracted configuration providing the receptacle with a first size and an expanded configuration providing the receptacle with a second size different than the first size by adjusting a pressure within the one or more chambers.

A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.

A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.

A powder application apparatus for an at least partially meltable powder to be applied onto a feeding element for producing reinforcing elements comprises a powder container. In the area of an outlet of the powder container a template for defining a basic shape of a reinforcing element to be produced is provided. Further, a closing device for opening and closing the outlet is provided. For producing reinforcing elements having different stiffness, barrier elements in particular connected with the template are provided. The barrier elements reduce the powder supply to the feeding element such that a reinforcing element with areas of different material thickness are created. A method for producing such a reinforcing element.

The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. The interior surface may define a void. A tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper. The tongue may comprise a lateral edge, a medial edge, and a forward portion. At least one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion may be unsecured to the knit element. The tongue may be secured to the knit element at least at one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion of the throat area.

The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. The interior surface may define a void. A tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper. The tongue may comprise a lateral edge, a medial edge, and a forward portion. At least one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion may be unsecured to the knit element. The tongue may be secured to the knit element at least at one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion of the throat area.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a knitted component. The knitted component may have a forefoot portion with a top layer and a bottom layer, where a void is formed between the top layer and the bottom layer, and where the top layer is secured to the bottom layer via at least one common knit structure. A heel area may extend from the bottom layer of the forefoot portion in a longitudinal direction and may be secured to the bottom layer of the forefoot portion via at least one common knit structure. At least one extension may extend from the heel area in a second direction, the second direction being different than the longitudinal direction.