The disclosure relates to articles of footwear and components thereof, including outsoles, which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil on the outsoles. In particular, the disclosure relates to articles of footwear and components thereof including an outsole with an external hydrogel film having a water uptake capacity at 24 hours greater than 40% by weight. The outsoles can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil on the footwear during wear on unpaved surfaces such as sporting fields. When the outsoles are wetted with water, the outsoles can become more compliant and/or can rapidly uptake and/or expel water, which can prevent soil from adhering to the outsole and/or can assist in shedding soil present on the outsole.

Articles of footwear may include selectively engageable traction elements that engage with a surface or the ground during certain activities and do not engage with the surface or the ground during other activities. The selectively engageable traction elements are caused to engage with the ground or surface when a portion of the footwear is flexed. When the footwear is in its unflexed position, the selectively engageable traction elements may not engage with the ground or surface. Selectively engageable traction elements may be desired or may be useful during particular, targeted movements such as sharp turns, pivoting, sudden or abrupt starting and stopping motions, and the like and in changing environmental conditions, such as on various surfaces having different characteristics. Wearers of such footwear may benefit from the extra traction provided by the selectively engageable traction elements when performing the targeted movements and/or when wearing the footwear on surfaces with varying conditions.

Articles of footwear may include selectively engageable traction elements that engage with a surface or the ground during certain activities and do not engage with the surface or the ground during other activities. The selectively engageable traction elements are caused to engage with the ground or surface when a portion of the footwear is flexed. When the footwear is in its unflexed position, the selectively engageable traction elements may not engage with the ground or surface. Selectively engageable traction elements may be desired or may be useful during particular, targeted movements such as sharp turns, pivoting, sudden or abrupt starting and stopping motions, and the like and in changing environmental conditions, such as on various surfaces having different characteristics. Wearers of such footwear may benefit from the extra traction provided by the selectively engageable traction elements when performing the targeted movements and/or when wearing the footwear on surfaces with varying conditions.

Described are soccer shoes having an upper formed of knitwear, and a sole having cleats that are connected to the knitwear, wherein the knitwear is capable of coupling the sole to a foot of a wearer of the soccer shoe while the soccer shoe is being worn.

Described are soccer shoes having an upper formed of knitwear, and a sole having cleats that are connected to the knitwear, wherein the knitwear is capable of coupling the sole to a foot of a wearer of the soccer shoe while the soccer shoe is being worn.

A surface structure for sports boots used for ball games having increased ball-contact properties where each boot has an upper part and a sole and the upper part has an outer surface used for shooting a ball, wherein at least a part of said ball shooting outer surface comprises a coating that has an adhesive substance covering said outer surface and a grained structure embedded in and kept by the adhesive. The grained structure comprises discrete granules of a resilient material, wherein between the adhesive and the outer surface of the upper part and between the adhesive and the granules a stable and durable bonding is provided, and the granules have outer surfaces that provide an improved contact with the ball when getting in contact with it.

A surface structure for sports boots used for ball games having increased ball-contact properties where each boot has an upper part and a sole and the upper part has an outer surface used for shooting a ball, wherein at least a part of said ball shooting outer surface comprises a coating that has an adhesive substance covering said outer surface and a grained structure embedded in and kept by the adhesive. The grained structure comprises discrete granules of a resilient material, wherein between the adhesive and the outer surface of the upper part and between the adhesive and the granules a stable and durable bonding is provided, and the granules have outer surfaces that provide an improved contact with the ball when getting in contact with it.

A stitched article includes a substrate and a first strand portion formed from a bundle of fibers. The substrate has a first region and a second region. The first strand portion is attached to the substrate in the first region and in the second region via a series of stitches formed with a thread and forms a first layer on the substrate. The article has a first concentration of the stitches in the first region along a first length of the strand portion and a second concentration of the stitches different than the first concentration in the second region along a second length of the first strand portion.

A stitched article includes a substrate and a first strand portion formed from a bundle of fibers. The substrate has a first region and a second region. The first strand portion is attached to the substrate in the first region and in the second region via a series of stitches formed with a thread and forms a first layer on the substrate. The article has a first concentration of the stitches in the first region along a first length of the strand portion and a second concentration of the stitches different than the first concentration in the second region along a second length of the first strand portion.

Described are soccer shoes having an upper formed of knitwear, and a sole having cleats that are connected to the knitwear, wherein the knitwear is capable of coupling the sole to a foot of a wearer of the soccer shoe while the soccer shoe is being worn.