An article of footwear can include a braided upper. The structure of the braided upper may be manufactured using an article forming member and a braiding apparatus. The article forming member includes a body portion substantially similar to a last for shoemaking, as well as a flange portion that extends outward from the body portion. The article forming member moves through the braiding apparatus in varying orientations that can improve the efficiency of the braiding, enhance the braiding pattern, and enhance structural support of the braided upper.

An article of footwear can include a braided upper. The structure of the braided upper may be manufactured using an article forming member and a braiding apparatus. The article forming member includes a body portion substantially similar to a last for shoemaking, as well as a flange portion that extends outward from the body portion. The article forming member moves through the braiding apparatus in varying orientations that can improve the efficiency of the braiding, enhance the braiding pattern, and enhance structural support of the braided upper.

An example customizable shoe last includes a solid portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion includes a moldable material that is selectively solidifiable for footwear manufacture. The customizable shoe last also includes an interchangeable mold cover to enclose the adjustable portion.

An example customizable shoe last includes a solid portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion includes a moldable material that is selectively solidifiable for footwear manufacture. The customizable shoe last also includes an interchangeable mold cover to enclose the adjustable portion.

A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising at least one shell, the shape of which is set by external heating, the manufacturing method comprising a reference step in which a first shell is positioned on a last, the first shell comprising at least one at least partially hot-melt or thermoformable material, the last extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a base to a top. The manufacturing method comprises at least one manufacturing step, subsequent to the reference step, the manufacturing step comprising at least one operation of hot-pressing at least a portion of the surface of the first shell arranged on the last.

A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising at least one shell, the shape of which is set by external heating, the manufacturing method comprising a reference step in which a first shell is positioned on a last, the first shell comprising at least one at least partially hot-melt or thermoformable material, the last extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from a base to a top. The manufacturing method comprises at least one manufacturing step, subsequent to the reference step, the manufacturing step comprising at least one operation of hot-pressing at least a portion of the surface of the first shell arranged on the last.

An article of footwear having an upper portion and a footbed portion that may be aligned with apertures proximate specified edges or locations. The footbed portion includes a concave edge extending between the footbed toe end and the footbed heel end along the footbed medial side and a plurality of forming apertures along the medial side. The upper portion also includes a plurality of forming apertures extending along the medial side.

An article of footwear having an upper portion and a footbed portion that may be aligned with apertures proximate specified edges or locations. The footbed portion includes a concave edge extending between the footbed toe end and the footbed heel end along the footbed medial side and a plurality of forming apertures along the medial side. The upper portion also includes a plurality of forming apertures extending along the medial side.

A method of method of manufacturing customized inserts for a boot, such as a skate boot, that is at least partially thermoformable includes receiving numerical data corresponding to a tridimensional shape of a wearer’s foot, and manufacturing a medial side insert and a lateral side insert based on the tridimensional shape of the wearer’s foot. The medial side insert and the lateral side insert are shaped to be insertable into the boot with a core that is dimensioned to generally correspond to a foot size of the boot, with a medial internal surface of the medial side insert and a lateral internal surface of the lateral side insert abutting respective outer surfaces of the core.

In certain aspects, the inventive subject matter is directed to production of constructs of footwear and components thereof by jet extrusion. The inventive subject matter contemplates novel processes for making such constructs using jets or streams of materials that solidify as fibers, and which form into two- or three-dimensional webs as they are collected. The webs may be in the nature of films, membranes, or mats. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter generally relates to nonwoven textiles consisting of webs of superfine fibers, i.e., fibers with diameters in nanoscale or micronscale ranges.