An article of footwear is provided with a modifiable sole having raised projections and/or drain guides. The raised projections are capable of receiving a threaded screw to increase the traction between the sole and an underlying ground surface. Information-conveying indicial markings can be provided on the base surface and associated with the raised projections, the indicial markings conveying information regarding the type of threaded screw that can be received by the raised projections and where to attach a threaded screw to the sole. The drain guides indicate where drain holes can be formed in the sole to enhance drainage

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.

Flexible cleats for flexible footwear (e.g., with natural motion sole structures) include a cleat structure that generally has the appearance of a cleat that has been separated into individual component parts by one or more flex grooves formed into the sole structure. Such structures provide additional flexibility at the areas of the cleats so as to avoid a stiff feeling in certain areas and/or during certain activities. The flexible cleats may be arranged around one or more intersections of flex grooves provided in a sole member, optionally in the form of an array of sole pods provided at least in a forefoot area of the sole member.

Flexible cleats for flexible footwear (e.g., with natural motion sole structures) include a cleat structure that generally has the appearance of a cleat that has been separated into individual component parts by one or more flex grooves formed into the sole structure. Such structures provide additional flexibility at the areas of the cleats so as to avoid a stiff feeling in certain areas and/or during certain activities. The flexible cleats may be arranged around one or more intersections of flex grooves provided in a sole member, optionally in the form of an array of sole pods provided at least in a forefoot area of the sole member.

A footwear system including a first footwear article configured to accept a user's foot, the first footwear article having a body and a sole attached to the body, the sole having a flange member extending past the body forming a wing, and a second footwear article, the second footwear article comprising a sole having a raised ridge portion and a raised heel portion, the raised ridge portion and the raised heal portion forming a cavity configured to accept the wing of the first footwear article, wherein the second footwear article is configured to be detachably attached to the first footwear article.

A footwear system including a first footwear article configured to accept a user's foot, the first footwear article having a body and a sole attached to the body, the sole having a flange member extending past the body forming a wing, and a second footwear article, the second footwear article comprising a sole having a raised ridge portion and a raised heel portion, the raised ridge portion and the raised heal portion forming a cavity configured to accept the wing of the first footwear article, wherein the second footwear article is configured to be detachably attached to the first footwear article.

An outsole for an athletic shoe that includes a heel section and a forefoot section. The heel and forefoot sections are on the outer surface of the outsole. The forefoot section includes a tread pattern that provides first and second ground friction forces. The first ground friction force promotes rotation in a first rotational direction about a rotation point of the forefoot section. The second ground friction force restricts rotation in a second rotational direction about the rotation point. The second rotational direction is opposite of the first rotational direction and the second ground friction force is greater than the first ground friction force.

An outsole for an athletic shoe that includes a heel section and a forefoot section. The heel and forefoot sections are on the outer surface of the outsole. The forefoot section includes a tread pattern that provides first and second ground friction forces. The first ground friction force promotes rotation in a first rotational direction about a rotation point of the forefoot section. The second ground friction force restricts rotation in a second rotational direction about the rotation point. The second rotational direction is opposite of the first rotational direction and the second ground friction force is greater than the first ground friction force.

An apparatus can comprise a main body configured to cover a portion of a lower side of a shoe, a plurality of cleats extending from a lower side of the main body, and at least one strap coupled to the main body and configured to extend over a shoe.