In one embodiment, an article of footwear includes a first braided layer and a second braided layer. The first braided layer passes along an upper surface of a midsole while the second braided layer passes along a lower surface of the midsole. In another embodiment, an article of footwear includes a first braided layer and a second braided layer. The first braided layer passes along an upper surface of a plate while the second braided layer passes along a lower surface of the plate. The plate includes a plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures are configured to receive ground engaging members. In another embodiment, an article of footwear includes a unitary braided component that includes a first layer and a second layer.

Beads may be stitched to a substrate layer and then fused to form structures including foam midsoles, foam pads, and other foam structures. Beads may be embroidered to multiple substrate layers and then folded or stacked together to form a preform used in a mold to form a midsole.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes an outsole, a plate disposed between the outsole and the upper, and a first cushioning layer. The plate includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use. The first cushioning layer is disposed between the concave portion and the upper.

A sole for an article of footwear includes a continuous dispensed component forming a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is disposed directly on top of the second layer. The continuous dispensed component forms a medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall. The first layer includes a starting point where the continuous dispensed component is first dispensed. The continuous dispensed component continuously transitions from the first layer to the second layer at the starting point.

A plate for an article of footwear includes a substrate, a first strand portion attached to the substrate via first stitching, and a second strand portion disposed on the first layer. The first strand portion includes first segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate. The second strand portion includes second segments that each extend between two different locations along the substrate to form a second layer on the first layer.

A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes a midsole, a cushion disposed in the midsole and including an inner portion, and an outsole including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and an upper surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-contacting surface and opposing the cushion, the outsole including a protrusion that extends in a direction away from the midsole to a greater extent than any other portion of the outsole and being aligned with the inner portion.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a plate having a top surface facing the upper and a bottom surface formed on an opposite side than the top surface, the plate extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region. A first cushioning element is attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the forefoot region and a second cushioning element is attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the heel region, the second cushioning element being separated from the first cushioning element by a first gap formed in a mid-foot region. One or more fluid-filled bladders are each at least partially surrounded by the first cushioning element in the forefoot region and have a top surface attached to the bottom surface of the plate.

A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes an outsole, a plate disposed between the outsole and the upper, and a first cushioning layer. The plate includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use. The first cushioning layer is disposed between the concave portion and the upper.

A shoe sole includes: a sole body located to extend continuously from a forefoot portion to a rearfoot portion; and a highly rigid member fixed to the sole body, the highly rigid member being formed of a material that is higher in rigidity than a material forming the sole body. The highly rigid member includes a curved plate portion extending in a direction crossing a right-left direction corresponding to a foot width direction of a foot of a wearer. The curved plate portion has an inverted arch shaped portion that protrudes toward a ground contact surface of the shoe sole in a cross section taken along a line orthogonal to a direction in which the curved plate portion extends. At least a part of the curved plate portion is disposed in the forefoot portion.

A plate for an article of footwear having a sole structure includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use.